News

The LGBTQ-focused Inside Out Film Festival is kicking off in Toronto, where the world premiere of the comedy Sisters is acting as the festival’s gala screening.

Sisters follows two best friends Lou (Susie Yankou) and Esther (Sarah Khasrovi) who have long thought of each other as family. Their co-dependency is tested when Lou makes the discovery of a an impossibly chic long-lost half sister, Priya (Kausar Mohammed).

The first look at Sisters sees Lou and Priya at a trendy restaurant, where Lou is struggling to fit in with Priya’s impossibly cool friends.

Sisters was a recipient of Inside Out’s Re:Focus grant that is meant to provide direct financial support to LGBTQ women and nonbinary filmmakers. Yankou makes her feature directorial debut on the film, which she also wrote.

Watch the first look at the film Sisters below.

Inside Out Toronto 2Slgbtq+ Film Festival has revealed the full program lineup for its 34th edition. The festival champions 2Slgbtq+ filmmakers from across the globe, and will showcase 106 films from 25 countries, including 30 feature films and 5 world premieres. The festival will take place May 24th to June 1st in Toronto, Canada at TIFF Lightbox as well as online. Inside Out’s Co-Head & Executive Director, Elie Chivi, and Co-Head & Artistic Director, Andrew Murphy, made today’s announcement. ​​

The festival’s opening night film will be Amazon MGM Studio’s My Old Ass – Megan Park’s sophomore feature, which premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival to standing ovations. Starring Aubrey Plaza, Maisy Stella and Maddie Ziegler, the queer comedy is about a woman who is visited by her future self and is told not to fall in love.

Fresh from its World Premiere at BFI Flare London Film Festival,...

For the past 15 years, the CBS Showcase has been giving shine to up and coming talent in Hollywood. As the title of the yearly event entails, it gives the chance for performers to showcase their acting chops in a comedic space. It’s a fast-paced comedy variety show echoing Saturday Night Live with a hearty helping of musical elements. Last week, the tradition continued as 20 players took the stage at the El Portal in North Hollywood for the yearly CBS Diversity Showcase — but diversity wasn’t always the focus of the showcase.

Tess Paras, who served as director of this year’s show alongside director Stephen Guarino and head writer Tien Tran, was a performer in the 2014 CBS Showcase. She admits that it was once widely known for being problematic and stereotypical in the way it portrayed its performers.

“That was the norm back then and it remained unchallenged,” Paras tells Deadline.

CBS has announced the 20 performers who will participate in its diversity sketch comedy showcase for 2020. The showcase will begin its six-show run on Jan. 14 at the El Portal Theatre in Los Angeles.

Beginning 14 years ago, the showcase was created to spotlight diverse talent, and it has developed into a hybrid comedy show with live performances and original writing. The showcase is attended by executives, showrunners, and casting directors from CBS and other networks as well as talent agents and managers from across the entertainment industry.

To date, 418 multitalented actors have appeared in the showcase, with notable alumni including Kate McKinnon, Tiffany Haddish, Diona Reasonover, Justin Hires, Geoffrey Arend, Nico Santos, Nicole Bayer and Ego Nwodim. Recent performers from the 2018 and 2019 showcases have booked shows such as “All Rise,” “Bob Hearts Abishola” and “Carol’s Second Act.”

Here are the performers in the 2020 showcase:

Aida Osman

Credits: “Wild ‘N Out” (MTV), “Group...

CBS announced Monday the 20 performers selected to participate in its 2020 Comedy Showcase. Their performances will take place during six shows from January 14-17 at the El Portal Theatre in Los Angeles.

Since its inception 15 years ago, the Showcase has turned into a hybrid comedy show with Broadway-style live performances and original, creative writing. The gatherings are attended by executives, showrunners and casting directors from CBS and other networks as well as talent agents and managers from across the entertainment industry.

As previously announced, Stephen Guarino (I’m Dying Up Here) will direct, with Tien Tran (Easy) serving as head writer. Tess Paras is associate director and 11 showcase alumni will make up the writers’ room.

Here are the 2020 players, along with where they’re from and their training:

Aida Osman, Lincoln, Nebraska

Wild ‘N Out (MTV), Group Therapy (Complex)

Caitlin Frain, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Groundlings School, Upright Citizens Brigade (Los Angeles)

Carl Foreman,...