TIFF Tribute Awards

The TIFF Tribute Awards are part of an annual fundraising gala celebrating industry members, talent, and the best in film. I worked directly with TIFF’s co-head Joana Vicente, the creator of the awards, to help define the look and feel of the video content that played during the inaugural event; in particular the career highlight reels that were created for each award recipient.

When the awards had to pivot from a live event to a live telecast as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked alongside the team at CTV to help bring the same elevated look and feel to the modified televised version.

With a return to in-person events for 2022 and beyond, I once again worked closely with the event organizers and creative team to help define the look and feel for the video and motion content for the years to come.

TIFF Tribute Awards 2023 Sizzle Reel

A Tribute to Meryl Streep (2019)

From the inaugural TIFF Tribute Awards in 2019, a tribute to actor Meryl Streep whose film The Laundromat had its North American premiere at the festival that year. This clip reel features highlights from Streep's illustrious, decade and genre spanning career; including some of the most iconic moments ever committed to the big screen.

A Tribute to Anthony Hopkins (2020)

From the 2020 edition of the TIFF Tribute Awards, which due to the pandemic aired on CTV in Canada, a tribute to legendary actor Anthony Hopkins. Hopkins’ film The Father featured in the festival that year and his performance would go on to win him the Oscar for Best Actor at the 93rd Academy Awards. The move to broadcast forced a re-evaluation of the clip reels and an adaptation to a new, shorter format.

A Tribute to Alanis Obomsawin (2021)

From the 2021 edition of the TIFF Tribute Awards, which once again aired CTV in Canada due to the on going pandemic, a tribute to renowned Canadian activist and artist Alanis Obomsawin. As part of a re-tooling of the awards broadcast, this year’s reels incorporated voice over to help tell a more fulsome story of the recipients careers. The broadcast would go on to be nominated for a Canadian Screen Award.

Narrated by TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey.

A Tribute to Sam Mendes (2022)

From the 2022 edition of the TIFF Tribute Awards, a tribute to director Sam Mendes who received the Ebert Award for Best Director and whose film Empire of Light screened at the festival that year. With the return to in person events, I was once again able revisit the clip reel format and develop a much more cinematic approach. This reel would go on to be licensed and used by Searchlight Pictures for Mendes “For Your Consideration” campaign.

TIFF Tribute Awards Animated Identity (2023)

2023 saw an update to the Tribute awards brand identity, and along with it a new animated identity stinger. Working closely with the teams at Makers we developed a luxurious new brand animation that would be used to open the events, and would also be featured in all video collateral, including a new 5.1 surround soundscape.

TIFF Rising Stars Reel

Due to the actor’s strike in 2023, we were unable to feature any clip reels as a part of the ceremony. However, the producers felt video still needed to play a major part of the event. Working closely with the team at Makers, I produced this short piece that highlighted the work of TIFF’s Rising Stars, who would also be celebrated on stage at the gala.