Part of a series of mini profiles on the movers and shakers that make the Berlinale one of the most important events in the international film calendar: the filmmakers, programmers, curators, industry promoters and visitors.Name & role: Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of the Toronto International Film Festival.
This is my 21st Berlinale.
What’s your focus going into Berlinale 2014? Meetings, meetings, meetings. We're reconnecting with our colleagues from around the world who will bring us films for TIFF for September. We also gather with our international programmers in Berlin; it's a perfect opportunity to catch up, trade new ideas and the all-important industry gossip.
Most interesting film you or your programmers ever “found” at the Berlinale:
So many. Most recently, Wim Wenders's PINA and Asghar Farhadi's A SEPARATION went from Berlinale premieres to North American premieres at our festival, to remarkable success. PINA played theatrically in TIFF Bell Lightbox for months!
TIFF premiere you were most happy to see again at the Berlinale:
It's always a thrill to see a strong drama like Greece's STANDING ASIDE WATCHING or a documentary like FINDING VIVIAN MAIER go from a Toronto premiere to a prestigious invitation to the Berlinale.
Must-do/-see while you are in Berlin:
Currywurst, of course. A candle-lit restaurant in an out-of-the-way neighborhood. A throbbing dance club. Bier.
(German) Film you are most curious about at this Berlinale:
Heinz Emigholz is a major artist. I'm curious about his new film, THE AIRSTRIP.
by Jutta Brendemühl, Toronto
image: Cameron Bailey and TIFF programmer Magali Simard at the Goethe-Institut Toronto 2013, photo Jutta Brendemuehl
