Toronto Fest Launches Vanguard Section; 11 Films Set So Far

The Toronto International Film Festival will unveil a new Vanguard section at this year's festival, offering a program of films that "are stylistically bold, structurally playful and appeal to adventurous, risk-taking audiences." Announcing the new section today, organizers also unveiled a eleven of the films set to screen in the program. On tap so far are the world premieres of Geoffrey Wright's "Macbeth" (Australia), Pascal Arnold and Marc Barr's "Chacun Sa Nuit" (France), Antti-Jussi Annila's "Jade Warrior" (Finland/China/Estonia), and John Barker's "Bunny Chow" (South Africa). In a statement, festival co-director Noah Cowan said:

"The Festival has felt the need for some time to establish a programme for 'early adopters'," explained festival co-director Noah Cowan, in a statement, "people who delight in movies that push the envelopes of technology, culture, sexuality and cinema itself. These films are edgy, irreverent, definitely sexy, and have a palpable, youthful zing."

The previously announced "Shortbus" (U.S.) by John Cameron Mitchell, will have its North American premiere at the festival, as will Christian Volckman's "Renaissance" (France/UK/Luxembourg), Johnnie To's "Election 1 + 2" (Hong Kong), Gerardo Naranjo's "Drama/Mex" (Mexico), Murali K.Thalluri's "2:37" (Australia), Paul Goldman's "Suburban Mayem" (Australia), and the Canadian premiere of Bobcat Goldthwait's "Sleeping Dogs Lie" (U.S.). Get the latest Toronto fest news and information in indieWIRE's special section. [Eugene Hernandez]