Toronto filmmakers focus on Michael Moore

A documentary about filmmaker Michael Moore by Toronto's Rick Caine and Debbie Melnyk is drawing buzz ahead of its premiere at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas.

Manufacturing Dissent follows filmmaker Michael Moore during the release of Fahrenheit 9/11 and questions many of his tactics.

One of the documentary's revelations is that General Motors chairman Roger Smith, the apparently elusive subject of Moore's 1989 debut Roger & Me, had been interviewed for the film, but Moore simply chose to leave the footage out of the finished cut.

It premieres on Saturday, with thriller The Lookout opening the festival Friday evening.

Manufacturing Dissent is one of a slate of independent films, including Canadian features Everything's Gone Green and Monkey Warfare, at the festival.

Everything's Gone Green, the Vancouver film based on a script by writer Douglas Coupland, has its U.S. premiere at the festival.

A three-minute "book short" based on Coupland's JPod is also to be screened.

The Trailer Park Boys moviemakes its U.S. premiere, and Reg Harkema's feature Monkey Warfare, starring Don McKellar, will show in its regional premiere.

Canadianshead to musical festival

South by Southwestalso has a music industry conference and prominent music festival, beginning March 14, which is seen as an opportunity for indie bands to launch into the U.S. market.

More than 30 Canadian artists, including Toronto's K'Naan and Halifax-based Jill Barber, are taking part in the South by Southwest Music Festival.

K'Naan, the Toronto hip-hop artist, is bringing the world music sound of his If Rap Gets Jealous release to Austin.

East Coast Music Award winners Jill Barber, an alternative country soloist, and rapper Classified, both from Halifax, are scheduled to perform.

Several Canadian singer-songwriters are featured, including Lynn Miles of Ottawa, Howie Beck of Toronto and Scott Nolan of Winnipeg.

Montreal is sending DJs A-Trak and Kid Koala and rockers such as Malajube and Les Breastfeeders.

Toronto rockers the Golden Dogs and indie pop group Apostle of Hustle will also be in Austin.