Top Toronto Hotel Renames Cinema After Director Norman Jewison – The Hollywood Reporter

Toronto’s Tony Hazelton Hotel will pay an enduring tribute to Oscar-winning film director and producer Norman Jewison by changing the name of its screening room to honor the legendary Canadian filmmaker.

The Hazelton in upscale Yorkville will be renaming its auditorium and event space, which can seat up to 50 people, as the Norman Jewison Cinema. Since opening in 2007, the hotel has been a focal point for the Toronto Film Festival, as celebrity guests, including those who work year-round on local filming of Hollywood movies and TV series, stay there, well shielded from the local paparazzi and other distractions.

“I’m delighted that this beautiful theater at the Hazelton Hotel in Toronto has been named after me. There’s nothing quite like watching a movie on the big screen! I would like to thank everyone at the Hazelton Hotel for this generous honor,” Jewison said in a statement obtained by the hollywood reporter, of recognition.

The Norman Jewison Cinema features digital projection, 35mm projection system and Dolby surround sound.

97-year-old Jewison made Canada famous in Hollywood with films like Moonstruck, Jesus Christ Superstar, Fiddler on the Roof, rollerball And In the Heat of the Night, starring the late Sidney Poitier.

And he never left his Toronto roots, returning home in 1988 to open the Canadian Film Center in the city to nurture local film, television and eventually digital creators.

Jewison’s films received a total of 46 nominations and 12 Oscars for films such as The Russians are coming, the Russians are coming; A Soldier’s Story; And The Thomas Crown Affair. He received the Irving Thalberg Award at the 71st Academy Awards and was honored with the 2010 Directors Guild of America Lifetime Achievement Award.

Other honors will be presented to Jewison. Prolific Canadian producer and director Shawn Levy will receive the inaugural Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award at the TIFF Tribute Awards during the upcoming Toronto Film Festival.

According to organizers, the Norman Jewison Cinema will be officially unveiled on September 11th at a private TIFF event at the Hazelton Hotel, which will also be attended by longtime collaborators of the Canadian director.

“The Hazelton Hotel’s iconic cinema is an exquisite venue offering an unparalleled experience that we firmly believe is consistent with Norman Jewison’s legendary career. It is an honor for us to dedicate this unique cinema to such a respected filmmaker,” added Gaurav Dutta, General Manager of Hazelton Hotel.