Toronto Pictures: The Present and Future of Socially Conscious Filmmaking
(for the full article, click here: OM-Times March 2010 Edition)
Maestro Bruno Pischiutta is the Founder, President and C.E.O. of Independent Film Studio Toronto Pictures. His vision is the use of nonviolent mainstream filmmaking to address issues facing our world and bring them forth to the general public. Daria Trifu is the Vice President and C.O.O. of Toronto Pictures.
Based out of Toronto, Canada, Toronto Pictures is an independent film studio, which develops, produces and distributes films around the world. Toronto Pictures produces nonviolent and socially conscious feature films. Their commitment to social responsibility has been a key factor and the reason for choosing to produce each and every one of the company’s films.
Toronto Pictures does more than just highlight issues – they do something to solve them. The company is donating 10% of the Net Profit of the first three years of their latest feature film PUNCTURED HOPE to the African village where most of the film was shot. Toronto Pictures’ goals include the construction of a school staffed with a full-time teacher, the construction of a small hospital with a full-time doctor and nurses and the development of a utilities infrastructure enabling residents to access power and clean, safe water.
In keeping with their social commitment, Toronto Pictures will also be donating 10% of the first three years’ Net Profit of their next film A PARTY GIRL FOR THE RAT PACK to the Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services – a center for the rehabilitation of young offenders in Pasadena, California.
OM-Times: Toronto Pictures is doing movies that have a strong social message. Daria, please tell us more about Director Bruno Pischiutta and his social commitment.
Daria Trifu: Bruno Pischiutta is known for his lifelong commitment to fostering the art of filmmaking. He established his career in his native Italy when, in 1975, he founded and directed Rome’s Centro Iniziative Di Azione Culturale, the nation’s only alternative school for theater and film. He is known for his high quality film production skills and he’s specifically noted for his politically and socially oriented feature films.
Bruno has been awarded the Critics Award at Venice Film Festival (1970), the Premio Simpatia (1976), the Belle Arti Di Roma (1976) and at the New York Film Festival (1981 & 1986) and at the Bahamas One World Film Festival (2003). This past December, he has been nominated by The Political Film Society – Hollywood for the film PUNCTURED HOPE.
He is also a published writer of two books (‘The Comoedia’ 1980 and ‘E va bene parliamo di cinema’ 1982) and of recognized courses for filmmakers (directing, writing, editing and acting) in Italy. He made his directorial debut in 1975 with COMPAGNE NUDE, and he moved to Canada in 1983. His other films include ULTIMO INCONTRO A VENEZIA (1977), ISOLA MECCANICA (1978), THE COMOEDIA (1981), BOUNTY HUNTERS (1985), LIFE’S CHARADE (1987), MAYBE (2003) and PUNCTURED HOPE (2009).
