The thing I love about the train is that I can plug in my laptop and get some work done.  Or at least pretend to get some work done.

In the lead up to the fest I’ve been so busy prepping pitch materials, booking meetings, and keeping up with my regular workload that I had absolutely no time to check the film schedule.  But now that I’m bound to my seat and have the time to look at what’s playing, I’m pretty excited by this year’s line-up.

Based on titles, directors and word of mouth alone, I’ve made a list of 22 features and 4 short programs that I’d love to see during fest.  Given my schedule, I’ll be lucky to see 6-7 films, so I’ll have to choose carefully.

Of course, my priority will be to support my friends who have films at the fest.  Here’s hoping I get to at least make it to their screenings. Here are a few I’m looking forward to:

Reel Injun - Because the producer of Reel Injun, Catherine Bainbridge, was one of the first pro filmmakers to take me seriously when I was starting my career in 2002.  I also happened to work on the film for a week last summer.  But those are probably the least important reasons why I am excited to see this film.  I love the topic.  I’ve always been fascinated by Native culture, and from what I understand this film neatly deconstructs the Hollywood manufactured image of the “noble savage”.  On top of all that, director Neil Diamond is talented, has a great name, and is fun to hang out with.

The Trotsky – Because father-son duo Kevin and Jacob Tierney  - producer and director respectively - are funny and energetic.  Star Jay Baruchel is hilarious. As a bonus, actress Tiio Horn, who starred in a short I produced (The Colony), is fantastic in a supporting role.  I saw an early cut of The Trotsky, and laughed from start to finish.  I can’t wait to see the final version.

The Wild Hunt & ???  - Tiio Horn is in three films playing at TIFF this year.  Aside from The Trotsky, she is also in The Wild Hunt & ????.  That’s reason enough for me to go see them.

Danse Macabre – Because PHI Group produced the amazing Next Floor, and this film is supposed to be as good, if not better.

A Hindu’s Indictment of Heaven – Because I went to school with Dev Khanna, where we worked on a student film together.  This film is likely 1000 times better than our student work.

5 Dysfunctional People in a Car – Because Pat Mills beat out Jeff Barnaby and I in last year’s “Pitch This” competition.  And you need to always keep up with what the competition is doing.

Volta – Because Ryan Mullins spent months in Ghana to make this short film about a decrepit old movie theatre.

Edge of the Desert – Because I like Lea and Simon Nakonechney.

John Christou is an independent filmmaker based in Montreal. His credits include Up The Yangtze, The Colony, Punk Le Vote! and more.  He’s currently producing films about David Lynch & Transcendental Meditation, the Clock of the Long Now, the Residential School system and a feature about a Zombie invasion of an aboriginal reserve.  To read more about these projects and others, check out www.ProspectorFilms.ca