(April 8, 2009 - Toronto, Ontario) -- The Canadian Black Film Festival has announced the launch of a monthly Film Club in Toronto. The first meeting is scheduled for Sunday April 12th and will be held at the National Film Board's Mediatheque.

The CBFF created the club specifically to showcase Canadian and international filmmakers who produce works with Black world cinema content. The first film to be screened is the feature Saving God, from director Duane Crichton. A graduate of Toronto's Ryerson University, Crichton is probably best known for his commercial and music video work. Saving God features Ving Rhames, Dean McDermott, Ricardo Chavira, Dwain Murphy and 2008 Juno Award Nominee Jully Black.

The film tells the story of a convicted felon, Armstrong Cane (Ving Rhames), who returns to home a changed man. Cane hopes to take over his father's old church and congregation. But in his time inside, the old neighbourhood has changed and is now full of drugs and gangs. Those who can are leaving for more prosperous areas and falling in with a slick preacher (Ricardo Chivara). Even with a dangerous gang leader (Dean McDermott) threatening his flock, Armstrong won't give up. Tough as nails on the outside and inside, Armstrong shouts God's word to whoever will listen. He hopes he is getting through to a youngster named Norris, who is on the verge of falling into a lifetime of bad choices. They form a close bond and Norris strives to change, but will the sins of the past come back to haunt them?

The Canadian Black Film Festival hopes to provide an opportunity for people in the film industry to screen diverse bodies of work and generate conversation about what they’ve seen. The invitation is open to all writers, filmmakers, directors, producers, actors, students, or anyone interested in Black film

Prior to the screening of Saving God, the producers and writer will introduce the film and will also stay for an audience Q&A session after the screening. Special guest Tabby Johnson of the ACTRA Diversity Committee is scheduled to give a talk and overview session to all potential actors and producers in the Toronto Arts community.

The NFB Mediatheque is located at 150 John Street in downtown Toronto and the screening is scheduled to start at 1:30 pm on April 12th and tickets will be available at the door.