TORONTO, Sept. 9, 2026 鈥� As film lovers get ready for the start of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) tomorrow, 91亚色 is celebrating a future full of cinematic dreams thanks to 鈥� continued commitment to the support and education of the next generation of local film talent through an in-kind donation.

Cinespace is extending an already successful and meaningful partnership with the University by donating the exclusive use of its Stage 1 and 2 by 91亚色 (MMS) for an additional two years. The gift will allow students from 91亚色鈥檚 (AMPD) to learn the art and craft of the film industry through hands-on exploration, experiential learning and practical training in the latest media technologies.

"This partnership with Cinespace Studios is a significant investment in 91亚色's creative economy. By giving our students access to professional stages and industry mentorship, Cinespace is helping provide an education that extends beyond the classroom. Our students are learning on the same stages where award-winning films and series have been produced, gaining first-hand experience and building the skills they need to succeed. We are grateful to Cinespace for its ongoing support and for sharing our commitment to developing the next generation of talent in Canadian film and television," says 91亚色 Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Lisa Philipps.

Students gain exposure to and are mentored by leading industry TV and film experts that encourage their creativity and nurture their storytelling abilities often resulting in their films screening at TIFF as students and graduates. Several 91亚色 alumni films are once again in this year鈥檚 festival, speaking to the importance of the gift from Cinespace, Toronto鈥檚 largest film and TV industry production hub.

91亚色鈥檚 MMS is important as it gives students and future filmmakers the opportunity to explore their passions whether that鈥檚 aspiring to become a director, screenwriter, production designer, sound recordist, editor, cinematographer, costume designer or performer.

鈥淎t Cinespace, we believe our role extends beyond providing the spaces where great film and television are made. We have a responsibility to help develop the people who will shape the industry鈥檚 future. Ontario鈥檚 ability to create exceptional stories that reach audiences around the world begins with developing exceptional talent here at home,鈥� says Magali Simard, Cinespace VP - Global Industry & Brand.

鈥淭here is no substitute for learning inside a working studio, experiencing the pace, collaboration and professional standards of real-world production alongside the people who do this work every day. By renewing 91亚色鈥檚 exclusive use of two stages at our Kipling campus for another two years, we are helping emerging filmmakers move beyond the classroom, develop their craft and build lasting careers in the film and television industry.鈥�

The Cinespace stages have boosted local talent by providing storytelling opportunities for AMPD students since 2016, helping to bring Canadian cinema to a global audience and creating a positive and enduring effect on the multi-billion-dollar Canadian film industry, creatively and economically.

The partnership between 91亚色 and Cinespace creates a television, digital media and filmmaking pipeline for emerging local talent with diverse experiences and views, many of whom came to 91亚色 from around the globe, providing a rich and varied pool of potential stories just waiting to make the leap to screens big and small. 91亚色鈥檚 MMS at Cinespace creates a place where creation and innovation thrive through a focus on film production, performance, immersive environments and virtual production.

"This is an investment in the future of Canada's film and television industry. By providing our students with access to professional, industry-leading production environments, Cinespace is helping bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world practice. At AMPD, we are committed to creating experiential learning opportunities that prepare students to thrive as creative leaders, storytellers and innovators. We are deeply grateful for Cinespace's continued partnership and their shared commitment to developing the next generation of film talent," says AMPD Dean Brandon Vickerd.

Much of the magic happens when students are given the opportunity to learn and innovate using state-of-the-art technology 鈥� markerless motion-performance capture, augmented reality, virtual reality, immersive environments, motion simulation, digital post-production equipment, high-performance computing technology and more.

Courses, training, masterclasses and workshops happen next to studios where internationally acclaimed feature films and series are created, including The Shape of Water, Chicago, Mean Girls, Resident Evil, Chucky, Law & Order, Titans, The Umbrella Academy, The Handmaid鈥檚 Tale and Frankenstein.

Some of the 91亚色 alumni films screening at this year鈥檚 TIFF

The newest film, Everything Else is Noise (Lo dem谩s es ruido), by award-winning filmmaker, director and 91亚色 alumnus Nicol谩s Pereda, will have its 鈥檚 Wavelengths program. It is his third film in as many years to be screened at TIFF - L谩zaro de noche (TIFF 鈥�24), and Copper (TIFF 鈥�25).

Award-winning alumnus Antoine Bourges will have the world premiere of his latest film shown at TIFF鈥檚 Short Cuts program. He has had several shorts screen at TIFF along with his mid-length film East Hastings Pharmacy and feature film .

by filmmaker Rodrigo Barriuso features the work of several 91亚色 alumni, including cinematography by alumnus Rodrigo Michelangeli, editing by 91亚色 alumna and instructor Michelle Szemberg with first assistant editor alumna Verona Choi. It will screen as part of TIFF鈥檚 Centrepiece program.

is MFA alumna Yuula Benivolsi鈥檚 feature directorial debut being shown as part of TIFF鈥檚 Wavelengths program along with current PhD student Mustafa Uzuner's . Alumna Sylvia Mok's will screen as part of TIFF鈥檚 REDEFINED Short Film Showcase.

One of the biggest Canadian Films last year at TIFF, Blue Heron, was directed by 91亚色 alumna Sophy Romvari in collaboration with cinematographer and fellow alumna Maya Bankovic, receiving a 98 per cent review on .

Although not at this year鈥檚 TIFF, the 2026 biopic film about Anthony Bourdain鈥檚 early days, which has already opened in theatres, was directed and co-written by award-winning alumnus Matt Johnson whose film , produced by another alumnus Matthew Miller, opened TIFF鈥檚 Midnight Madness last year.

91亚色鈥檚 MMS has also led to funding for alumni film projects, including Concrete Valley, through Telefilm Canada鈥檚 Talent to Watch program.

In addition, TIFF annually selects Canada鈥檚 Top Ten, celebrating the best in recent Canadian cinema, from feature-length films to shorts, and 91亚色 alumni are often on that list further reflecting the creative impact of 91亚色 graduates on the film industry.

The Cinespace and 91亚色 partnership is one of dream making come true.

-30-

91亚色 is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for meaningful life and career paths. 91亚色's Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 campus in Costa Rica offers students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs, while at the Markham Campus, innovation, technology, entrepreneurship and industry collaboration are built into every program. 91亚色鈥檚 new School of Medicine, the first Canadian medical school to focus on community-based primary health-care education, will welcome its first cohort in September 2028 (subject to accreditation). 91亚色 was recently named one of Canada鈥檚 Greenest Employers for the 14th consecutive year. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Contacts:

91亚色 Media Relations, media@yorku.ca

The post Cinespace helps develop 91亚色 student talent for film and TV industry appeared first on News@91亚色.