“Village Keeper,” produced by Filipino talent Enrique Miguel Baniqued and directed by Karen Chapman, will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) slated on Sept. 5 to 15.
In last year’s film festival, “Village Keeper” was selected for the TIFF Every Story Accelerator program.
“After her husband’s murder, an overwhelmed Toronto mother discovers a very unusual way to process her grief,” according to the TIFF synopsis about “Village Keeper.”
Filipino-produced "Village Keeper" (TIFF)
Filipino producer Enrique Miguel Baniqued (right) (Norman Wong/Instagram)
“Village Keeper” stars Olunike Adeliyi, Maxine Simpson, Zahra Bentham, Micah Mensah-Jatoe, Oyin Oladejo, d'bi.young anitafrika, Ethan Burnett and Shiloh O'Reilly.
In addition, Baniqued has been nominated at the Indiescreen Awards organized by the Canadian Media Producers Association.
“The awards recognize excellence among Canada’s independent feature film producers, honoring producers whose vision and entrepreneurship demonstrate a commitment and passion for producing Canadian feature films,” according to the awards website.
Baniqued and Chapman are nominated for the Kevin Tierney Emerging Producer Award aimed to recognize “a producer’s (or production team’s) early filmmaking accomplishments and bright career prospects, and includes a $10,000 prize.” Baniqued is the only Asian nominated for the award.
2024 Kevin Tierney Emerging Producer Award nominees:
Annick Blanc, Maria Gracia Turgeon (Midi La Nuit) – Hunting Daze
Enrique Miguel Baniqued, Karen Chapman (Explorers, Smallaxx Motion Pictures) – Village Keeper
Julie Baldassi (Younger Daughter Films Inc.) – Darkest Miriam
Mike Johnston (Studio 104 Entertainment) – Curl Power
Ngardy Conteh George (OYA Media Group) – A Mother Apart
Nominees for Indiescreen Awards (Photos from Indiescreen Awards)
“This year’s Indiescreen Awards nominees embody the passion, drive and grit that make Canadian feature film so exceptional,” said Andrew Addison, the CMPA’s vice president of Communications, Marketing and Membership. “From established producers making a mark on the global stage to an impressive group of emerging producers bringing excitement to the future of Canadian storytelling, we look forward to celebrating the nominees and winners this September at the Atlantic International Film Festival.”
The 2024 Indiescreen Awards ceremony will be held on Sept. 12 in Nova Scotia, as part of the Atlantic International Film Festival (AIFF) for the first time.