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‘It was like sleeping on the edge of a really rocky cliff': 24 hours on the ferris wheel

‘It was like sleeping on the edge of a really rocky cliff': 24 hours on the ferris wheel

CTV News2 days ago
Chris Scheetz on the ferris wheel at KDays on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (Dave Mitchell/CTV News Edmonton)
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Essex, Ont. student publishes first book at the age of 10
Essex, Ont. student publishes first book at the age of 10

CTV News

time6 hours ago

  • CTV News

Essex, Ont. student publishes first book at the age of 10

For 10-year-old Harper Grace, publishing her first book came with both great excitement and, admittedly, a little bit of fear. 'I was kind of worried that nobody would care, but I guess a kid writing a book is a big deal,' Harper said. Starting Grade 5 this fall, the Windsor-Essex, Ont. student recently entered the writing world by publishing ' Maricopia: A Tale of Hope ', a fantasy humour story. Since first putting pen to paper at the age of seven, Harper has been meticulously writing and reviewing the more than 200-page-long tale. 'Harmony is a [Mermaid Dog], and she is in this world, it's sort of like an avatar style world,' the avid writer recently told CTV News. 'You can get the power of the elements, except there's five: water, earth, wind, thunder, and fire, and Harmony has got all of them. She's the Ultima, and she and her friends go on this quest to stop the Fire Lord.' Improving along the way, Harper said she often finds ways to alter chapters and add in new subplots that keep the reader interested along the way. 10-year-old Harper Grace author Windsor 10-year-old Harper Grace with her book, 'Maricopia: A Tale of Hope'. (Submitted by Laura) When asked by CTV News what job she aspires to do when she gets older, Harper didn't hesitate to respond. 'Author! I already am,' she exclaimed. If her writing wasn't impressive enough, Harper added illustrator to her resume by creating the cover page and drawing most of the images throughout the book, with some help from her little brother Ryan. Since publishing the book, Harper's creative mind and determination have caught the attention of readers. Though her parents originally began by printing copies of the book, an abundance of interest led them to find alternative options for readers. 'We already knew that kids her own age were kind of enjoying it, just like our friends and family,' said Laura, Harper's mom. After a social media post was made by the Greater Essex County District School Board promoting the book, the family has only received more inquiries. They've since pushed the book to Amazon and have sold 50 copies between online and in-person sales. 'Nothing that Harper puts her mind to surprises me,' Laura added. 'She's a very creative kid and she's a very stubborn kid, so when she sets her heart on something, it's usually successful.' With her first book hot off the press, Harper is wasting little time, hoping to add to her bibliography. The 10-year-old is already teasing her next read, 'The End of the Rainbow,' which will be the next chapter in her budding career as a storyteller. 'I have a very good idea of picturing things in my mind, how things will go. With my next book, I'm planning the entire first chapter out in my head right as I speak,' Harper said.

Matt Johnson's ‘Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie' to open TIFF's Midnight Madness
Matt Johnson's ‘Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie' to open TIFF's Midnight Madness

CTV News

time7 hours ago

  • CTV News

Matt Johnson's ‘Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie' to open TIFF's Midnight Madness

Matt Johnson, director of "Blackberry" poses with his award for Achievement in Direction at the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards Gala in Toronto, on Friday May 31, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey TORONTO — Matt Johnson's time-warping bromantic misadventure and a crime thriller starring Bob Odenkirk are headed to the Midnight Madness program at this year's Toronto International Film Festival. This year's lineup of 10 genre-blurring comedies, action flicks and slashers will open with the Canadian premiere of Johnson's Toronto-set 'Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie,' a mockumentary-style caper based on his Viceland series. Lead programmer Peter Kuplowsky says the comedy is 'steeped in Toronto lore circa the early aughts' and expects it to 'levitate the entire theatre' at TIFF, after earning a standing ovation at its SXSW premiere in March. Set to get pulses racing is the world premiere of 'Normal,' which sees Odenkirk play a temporary sheriff who uncovers the criminal underbelly of a sleepy town. It's directed by Ben Wheatley, who won the 2016 Midnight Madness People's Choice Award for the crime drama 'Free Fire.' Also promising heart-pounding thrills is the world premiere of 'Dust Bunny,' the feature debut of 'Hannibal' creator Bryan Fuller. The slasher stars Sophie Sloan as a young girl who asks her neighbour, played by Mads Mikkelsen, for help after she believes a monster under her bed ate her family. Set to close the program is the Canadian premiere of 'Dead Lover,' a horror comedy by Toronto's Grace Glowicki about a gravedigger determined to bring her drowned lover back to life. TIFF runs Sept. 4 to 14. Kuplowsky says he wanted to bookend the Midnight Madness program with 'Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie' and 'Dead Lover' because they've made 'a substantial impact on the festival circuit.' 'I'm just really proud and feel very patriotic that these Canadian filmmakers made midnight movies that really resonated with international audiences,' Kuplowsky says. 'The prospect of having them finishing their festival tour with us in Toronto is really exciting.' 'Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie' sees Johnson and longtime collaborator Jay McCarrol reprise their roles as two bumbling musicians still trying to achieve their dream of booking a show at local bar The Rivoli. This time, their quest sends them back in time. Kuplowsky says he gravitated toward several comedies for this year's lineup after noticing the success of 'Friendship,' the dark comedy starring Paul Rudd and Tim Robinson that premiered at last year's program. 'I did really feel like there is this desire amongst contemporary audiences to laugh in cinemas again,' he says. Other gut-busters in this year's lineup include 'The Napa Boys,' an alt-comedy by Nick Corirossi that sees a group of friends embark on a wine-related adventure led by a mysterious sommelier. Meanwhile, Serbia's Aleksandar Radivojević serves up 'Karmadonna,' a sharp-edged comedy about a pregnant woman who gets a call from God telling her to kill targets on his hit list or lose her baby. Among other international offerings is 'Junk World,' a sequel to Japanese filmmaker Takahide Hori's 'Junk Head,' a stop-motion sci-fi film following a cyborg navigating an underground dystopia in search of a way to save humanity from extinction. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2025. Alex Nino Gheciu, The Canadian Press

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