The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. Each September, Toronto becomes the epicenter of global cinema as filmmakers, actors, critics, and movie enthusiasts gather to celebrate the art of film. But what goes on behind the red carpet? In this article, we take you behind the scenes of TIFF to discover what makes it such a significant cultural event.
The History of TIFF
Founded in 1976 as the "Festival of Festivals," TIFF began as a collection of films from other festivals around the world. The inaugural event attracted 35,000 attendees who watched 127 films from 30 countries. From these humble beginnings, TIFF has grown to become one of the most influential film festivals globally, now showcasing over 300 films and attracting nearly half a million attendees annually.
Unlike other major film festivals such as Cannes or Venice, TIFF is non-competitive and was initially designed to showcase the best films from other festivals around the world. This unique approach has evolved over time, and today TIFF premieres many films and has become known as an early indicator of Oscar potential.
Planning a World-Class Festival
Organizing TIFF is a year-round endeavor that involves hundreds of staff members and thousands of volunteers. The programming team travels to festivals and screenings worldwide, viewing approximately 6,500 films before selecting the final lineup for TIFF. This process begins months in advance and involves meticulous curation to ensure diversity in genres, countries of origin, and filmmaking styles.
Venue logistics pose another significant challenge. TIFF utilizes multiple venues across downtown Toronto, including the TIFF Bell Lightbox (the festival's permanent home), Roy Thomson Hall, the Princess of Wales Theatre, and various cinemas throughout the city. Transforming these spaces, managing projection and sound quality, and coordinating schedules requires military precision.
"People don't realize that we start planning the next festival almost immediately after the current one ends. It's a constant cycle of discovery, negotiation, and coordination."
— Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director and Co-Head of TIFFThe Economic Impact
TIFF generates significant economic activity for Toronto and the province of Ontario. According to recent studies, the festival brings in approximately $200 million in annual economic activity to Toronto, creating both temporary and permanent jobs in the film industry, hospitality sector, and related services.
Hotels in downtown Toronto often reach capacity during the festival, restaurants extend their hours, and local businesses benefit from the influx of visitors. Beyond the immediate economic boost, TIFF has helped establish Toronto as a major center for film production and post-production in North America.
From Submission to Screening
For filmmakers, having a film accepted to TIFF can be a career-defining moment. The journey from submission to screening is highly competitive. Each year, thousands of films are submitted, but only a small percentage make it into the official selection.
Submissions open in early spring, with various deadlines depending on the category. Once submitted, films go through multiple rounds of viewing by programmers specialized in different regions and genres. Final selections are typically announced in July and August, giving filmmakers just weeks to prepare for their premieres.
For those fortunate enough to be selected, the festival provides a unique opportunity to screen their work for audiences that include industry professionals, critics, and cinema enthusiasts. Many filmmakers have secured distribution deals during TIFF, changing the trajectory of their careers overnight.
The Volunteers
One of the less visible but crucial elements of TIFF is its volunteer program. Each year, approximately 3,000 volunteers contribute over 80,000 hours to make the festival possible. These volunteers handle everything from managing ticket lines to assisting with press events, supporting industry sessions, and helping festival-goers navigate between venues.
Many volunteers return year after year, creating a community of film enthusiasts who form the backbone of the festival's operations. For film students and those hoping to break into the industry, volunteering provides valuable networking opportunities and firsthand experience with festival operations.
Star Power and Red Carpets
The red carpet premieres at TIFF attract Hollywood's biggest stars and international filmmakers. Managing these events requires coordination between publicists, security teams, media outlets, and festival staff. Each premiere typically features a red carpet arrival, a film introduction, the screening itself, and often a Q&A session afterward.
Unlike Cannes, where access to premieres is strictly controlled, TIFF makes many of its gala presentations accessible to the public. This democratic approach has become a hallmark of the festival, allowing ordinary film fans to share the experience with industry insiders and critics.
TIFF By The Numbers
- Films Screened: Approximately 300+ feature films and short films
- Annual Attendance: Nearly 500,000 people
- Venues: 10+ screening locations
- Volunteers: Approximately 3,000
- Media Accreditation: Over 1,200 journalists from 30+ countries
- Economic Impact: Approximately $200 million annually
Industry Conference and Networking
Beyond film screenings, TIFF hosts an Industry Conference that brings together professionals from all sectors of the film industry. Over six days, the conference features panel discussions, master classes, and networking events. Topics range from new financing models to technological innovations, diversity initiatives, and distribution strategies.
The festival also operates a Film Market, where buyers and sellers from around the world negotiate distribution rights. Many films sold during TIFF go on to commercial release, streaming deals, or further festival circulation. These business activities may be less visible to the general public but are vital to the festival's role in the film ecosystem.
TIFF's Year-Round Impact
While the September festival is TIFF's flagship event, the organization operates year-round programming at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. This five-story cultural center features cinemas, galleries, studios, and a film reference library. Throughout the year, it hosts retrospectives, special screenings, educational programs, and exhibitions related to film culture.
TIFF also runs talent development programs, including the TIFF Filmmaker Lab, which provides mentorship to emerging filmmakers, and the TIFF Rising Stars program, which showcases promising acting talent. These initiatives extend TIFF's influence beyond the festival period and contribute to developing the next generation of filmmakers.
Experiencing TIFF as a Visitor
For those planning to attend TIFF, preparation is key. Tickets for premier screenings and popular films can sell out quickly, with packages going on sale in June and individual tickets in late August. Accommodations should be booked well in advance, as downtown hotels often reach capacity during the festival.
Festival veterans recommend creating a flexible schedule that includes both mainstream and independent films, allowing time between screenings to account for travel between venues and potential delays. The festival offers several ticket options, including premium packages for gala premieres, regular tickets for most screenings, and rush tickets for last-minute availability.
Beyond the screenings themselves, the festival atmosphere transforms downtown Toronto. King Street is partially closed to traffic during the first weekend, creating a pedestrian promenade with activities, pop-up installations, and live performances. Restaurants and bars throughout the Entertainment District become hot spots for celebrity sightings and film industry gatherings.
The Future of TIFF
As the film industry evolves with the rise of streaming platforms and changing distribution models, TIFF continues to adapt. Recent editions have incorporated digital screenings and virtual events, expanding the festival's reach beyond Toronto. These hybrid approaches are likely to remain part of TIFF's strategy, complementing the in-person experience that remains central to the festival's identity.
TIFF also continues to expand its commitment to diversity and inclusion, with programs that highlight underrepresented filmmakers and address inequalities in the film industry. Initiatives like Media Inclusion, which provides greater access to critics and journalists from underrepresented groups, and Share Her Journey, which supports women in film, demonstrate TIFF's role as a progressive voice in the industry.
Conclusion
The Toronto International Film Festival represents much more than just a series of film screenings. It's a cultural institution that shapes cinematic trends, launches careers, drives economic activity, and brings global attention to Canadian cinema. For film enthusiasts, industry professionals, and the city of Toronto, TIFF has become an essential annual celebration of the art and business of film.
The next time you watch a film that's being described as a "TIFF selection" or "TIFF premiere," remember the extensive behind-the-scenes work that brought that film to audiences in Toronto and, eventually, to screens around the world. TIFF's remarkable growth from a modest "Festival of Festivals" to one of the world's most influential film events is a testament to Canada's cultural impact and the universal power of cinema to bring people together.
