#towebfest

Want to meet me in person, or buy a book directly from me, or get an autograph, or a pic, or just ear me wax poetic about The Biz? Here’s the when and where:

April 29-30-1: Ad Astra (Toronto)

May 6-15th: Little Women (Fergus)

May 27-28: TOWebfest (Toronto)

May 29: Elora Writer’s Festival (Elora)

June 27: Fergus-Elora Rotary Club (TBA)

Last weekend, Julia, Jason and I went to the T.O.WebFest at Bloor Hot Docs Cinema in Toronto, Canada for a weekend of panels and screenings, with a little bit of sightseeing in between. We have plenty of photos to show, but if you can’t wait, you can follow us on Instagram right now!

On the Sunday leading up to our 10:50pm screening during the Late Night Comedy block, I had the pleasure to sit through nearly five hours of amazing web series from all around the world. Here are the ones I couldn’t wait to get more of when I got home.

THE BANKS (LES BERGES)

This Quebec-produced French language drama featured a 23-year old young man named Jonathan with his best friend, his little brother, and girlfriend on a camp out on a remote island in the St. Lawrence River. Seen as coddled by his peers, Jonathan, in a fit of bravado, throws the keys of his boat in the river, cutting off the four companions from civilization to live off the land. The beautifully shot pilot drew me in like no other, and after seeing the second episode, I am hooked.

THE AMAZING GAYL PYLE

With a concept that seems fit for an Adult Swim show, this Toronto-produced comedy features the titular character’s misadventures as a host of a Home Shopping Network-esque show. Comedic moments aside, I’m also a pretty big fan of their usage of 80's kitsch.

I LUV U BUT

The T.O.WebFest featured a very strong lineup for their LGBTQ block, but this Melbourne, Australia comedy was my favorite. Featuring a closeted gay Arab-Australian man, his also-closeted lesbian wife, and his conservative family, seeing the first episode of the second definitely has me looking forward to what the nine other episodes from this season (as well as last season) have in store.

HAPHEAD

Taking a break from comedy, Haphead puts you into the near future where you can be empowered and learn skills by just playing video games. This becomes useful for 18-year old Maxine, who has to defend herself from forces coming after her after she steals the technology to do this. The production value of the cyber-punk series was one of the highest in the festival, and was a well-deserving winner for the festival’s three awards for Best Web Series, Outstanding Science Fiction or Fantasy Series, and Outstanding Music.

I’M HARRY CLARK

Last but not least, our fellow Late Night Comedy block selection from Los Angeles is a political mockumentary a la The Thick of It/Veep that shows us the oft-politically incorrect yet very hilarious workings of the office of State Senator Harry Clark. The one-liners and biting dialogue was consistently hitting every second and I can’t wait for more.