AUTHOR Beverly Andrews
Holly Shorts
The HollyShorts Film Festival showcases the power of short-form storytelling, offering a platform for underrepresented voices and overlooked narratives. From child labor in India to prison firefighters in California, this year’s standout films deliver bold, thought-provoking stories in compact, emotionally rich packages.
National Ballet of Canada: Frontiers
In Frontiers: Choreographers of Canada at Sadler’s Wells, The National Ballet of Canada showcases its remarkable range with three compelling works by James Kudelka, Emma Portner, and Crystal Pite. From classical-contemporary contrasts to rare same-sex duets and a breathtaking full-company finale, the evening is a vivid portrait of Canadian choreographic excellence.
Toronto International Film Festival 2024
TIFF 2024 delivered star-studded premieres and hidden indie gems alike. From Ralph Fiennes in Conclave to a haunting Ukrainian drama and a bold Mexican documentary, here’s a look at the films that defined this year’s festival.
YOKO ONO: MUSIC OF THE MIND
“YOKO ONO: MUSIC OF THE MIND” at Tate Modern is a profound, participatory journey through the life and work of one of contemporary art’s true pioneers. From her early instruction pieces to her enduring activism, this retrospective reveals the depth and vision of an artist whose influence continues to resonate.
VISIONS OF QUEERNESS
Derek Jarman’s Sebastiane and Paul Schrader’s Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters were screened this summer by the BFI in two distinct strands, yet together they form a powerful meditation on queer identity, masculinity, and artistic resistance. Created in eras of censorship and constraint, both films remain landmark works that continue to inspire.
Tribeca Film Festival 2024
From powerful reexaminations of historical experiments to deeply personal portraits of artists and coming-of-age tales, this year’s Tribeca Film Festival offered a vibrant and emotionally rich slate of documentaries and features. Highlights include The Stanford Prison Experiment: Unlocking the Truth, Luther: Never Too Much, Alien Weaponry: Kua Tupu Te Ara, and more.
The London International Festival of Theatre 2024
From futuristic food markets to raw political monologues and genre-defying dance, this year’s London International Festival of Theatre (LIFT) once again proves that performance art can provoke, enlighten, and transform. Highlights include Bat Night Market, The Land Acknowledgement, and L’Homme Rare—each offering audiences a radically different, yet deeply resonant experience.
Chineke at the Southbank
Chineke! returned to London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall with a vibrant and moving programme featuring works by Fela Sowande, Cassie Kinoshi, and Max Richter. Blending new compositions with a bold reimagining of a classical favourite, the orchestra once again proved its importance in reshaping the classical music landscape.