This past weekend, I saw eight films in four days, waited in line for over three hours for one movie, and lived off of granola bars and great conversations. No, this wasn’t my standard weekend—it was my first Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and my only regret is that I hadn’t discovered it sooner.
Why should you go?
Do you love being the first to see things and getting exclusive access? Well, at TIFF, you can be among the first people in the country or continent to see a movie weeks or months before it will be released. For world premieres, the cast and members of the crew are actually in the crowd with you, experiencing the movie for the first time alongside you. I mean, it’s pretty awesome being able to say that I’ve technically watched a movie with Olivia Munn and Keegan Michael Key (Key & Peele).
What makes TIFF special?
TIFF is a movie lover’s paradise with something to offer for everyone. TIFF boasts world premieres of blockbusters and academy award-winning hopefuls, as well as international foreign language films and interesting documentaries. There are even some niche events like Jason Reitman’s Live Reads, where he directs a live on-stage reading of a classic movie with a surprise cast. Two veteran festival goers I met in line said the 2017 Live Read of The Princess Bride was their favourite show in all of their 13 years at TIFF.
Q&As
For world or international premieres, another bonus is that you’ll often get a Q&A session afterward with the cast and directors. I found Q&As great opportunities to take pictures, ask questions, and learn more about how the people behind and in front of the camera think. If you’re interested in documentaries, a big plus of attending their premieres is that you may even get a special guest appearance. For example, after my showing of Ghost Fleet, I had the opportunity to see and meet Patima Tungpuchayakal, a Nobel Peace Prize Nominee in 2017.
Stargazing
For many, the chance to catch a glimpse of celebrities is a big attraction to the festival. I caught Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead and Okja) on the way out of the international premiere of Burning at the Ryerson Theatre. Apart from spotting them at the premiers of their movies, many swear by impromptu celebrity hunting expeditions, like staking out the hotels and bars holding the after parties. I caught Blake Lee (Mixology and Parks and Recreation) outside of the washroom. It was a good reminder for me that you never know when or where you could bump into someone. I realized that that under all the television fame and glory, they’re still people too—people who need to eat, sleep, and go to the washroom like the rest of us.
Long lines and early mornings
I tried to get tickets online for Beautiful Boy with Timothée Chalamet (Call Me By Your Name & Lady Bird) and Steve Carell (The Office), but they sold out instantly. I was determined to see this movie, so I only had one other option try and rush it. Rush tickets are last-minute sales done at the door to fill leftover seats once all of the ticket holders have shown up. I knew that it was going to be really popular, so I showed up three hours early and prayed to the movie gods that I would be able to snag a ticket. Fortunately, my prayers and punctuality were rewarded, and I managed to get the last of 20 spots in the sold-out theatre of 1,200.
The movie-going experience
In the age of online streaming, it has become easier and easier to skip going to the theatre and wait for it to come out online. Going to TIFF reminded me of all the reasons I love going to the movies: I love the atmosphere; seeing every detail on a 40-foot screen; hearing the score on a sound system that lets you feel every single note; and experiencing each second alongside the rest of the audience screaming, laughing, and crying together as one.
It’s a lot like a live music. Sure, you could just listen to the album from the comfort of your own home, but at a concert, it’s the atmosphere that makes it special. It’s the feeling of knowing that everyone there has gathered together because they are fans of the movies, actors, or directors involved in the film. Everyone I met was more than happy to talk about the movies they were planning on seeing. More seasoned TIFF veterans gave me tips and advice on how to make the best of the festival. I went into this festival alone and wound up coming out of it with friends that I hope to return with next year.
If you like movies, seeing stars and making friends then I hope to see you next year at TIFF 2019.
Photo by Chris Yuyitung
