The Toronto International Film Festival will make a comeback in person this year, with the doors set to be opened to local and international guests in the fall (September 8-18).
TIFF’s networking and celebratory events, which include the opening-night party, industry conference, filmmaker dinners, industry networking events, press and programmers events, and tribute awards gala are all returning in person. That BetMGM is moving into Ontario will also give movie fans more opportunities to take advantage of odds on the winners.
“TIFF 2022 is back in-person!” the festival announced. “We look forward to welcoming you back to Toronto to celebrate the power of cinema, as we continue to learn, lead and innovate together. While there will be some considerations made for online screenings on TIFF’s digital platform, TIFF’s main focus is to bring audiences back together in-person.
“The Toronto International Film Festival® ranks among the most prestigious international film festivals in the world. For 11 days, film lovers, filmmakers, industry professionals, and media watch the best in new cinema, from established auteurs to new talent. As one of the world’s most important cultural events, the Festival consistently strives to set the standard for excellence in film programming.”
This follows two years of mostly digital festivals due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with TIFF basically following in step as it pertains to film gathering restrictions brought on by the crisis. They did host live screenings last year but capacity was greatly reduced and there were far fewer international guests than has been typical. This year’s version will be as close to the pre-pandemic era as possible unless variants force the organizers to change plans.
The festival has also announced having added five new film curators to the programming team. Robyn Citizen will lead the team and has been appointed TIFF’s director of festival programming and cinematheque while Andréa Picard is now senior curator of TIFF and cinematheque.
Kelly Boutsalis, associate international programmer, Canadian features; Jason Ryle, international programmer, Indigenous cinema; Jane Schoettle, senior international programmer, special presentations; and Ravi Srinivasan, senior manager, TIFF programming are all also serving on the team.
Jason Anderson, Diana Cadavid, Giovanna Fulvi, Nataleah Hunter-Young, Peter Kuplowsky, Dorota Lech, and Thom Powers. Rounding out the team of TIFF programmers are full-time staff members Steve Gravestock (festival programming) and Geoff Macnaughton (lead programmer, primetime) are returning for this year’s festival.
The festival’s CEO Cameron Bailey will choose the gala presentations.
“We’re thrilled to share this news about TIFF 2022 and to introduce fresh voices to our programming team,” Bailey said in a statement. “Their expertise, passion, and perspectives will both deepen and broaden TIFF’s curation. As we prepare our selections both for TIFF Bell Lightbox year-round and for the 47th Toronto International Film Festival, we can’t wait to see what our new programmers will add to the mix.”
“TIFF Cinematheque has played a considerable role in my life as a devoted cinephile, its exceptional and generous programming having set the bar for film curating around the world. Cinematheque screenings continuously renew my passion for film, my admiration for filmmakers, and make me feel part of a larger community,” Picard added.
“I intend to honor this legacy, ensuring that TIFF audiences have access to programming that participates in an international dialogue, is vibrant, relevant, and is of the highest exhibition standards. It is an exciting moment for contemporary cinema, as well as film history with its canon cracked wide open.”
TIFF has also banned all official delegations from Russia, having taken a stance in solidarity with the people of Ukraine following Russia’s invasion of its fellow European state.
“TIFF stands against the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the declaration of war this signifies,” a statement reads. “We hope for a swift return to peace and stability in the region and we extend our support to the people of Ukraine and those within Russia who stand against these attacks.”
The festival reiterated their being an arts organization focused on transforming the way people see the world through film and supporting artists and their freedom of expression. The organizers noted that they will continue to include movies from indie Russian filmmakers at the festival and throughout the year.
“TIFF will suspend participation by film organizations and media outlets supported by the Russian state, as well as Russian cultural ambassadors and delegations related to our Festival.
“As we do this, we will seek to amplify the voices of Ukrainian and independent Russian filmmakers who continue to illuminate our understanding of conflict in the region. Alongside our international colleagues in the film world, our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine and the many Ukrainian artists and film professionals who have traveled to TIFF over the years.”
