Toronto International Film Festival


Toronto International Film Festival

First week of SeptemberSecond in size only to the Cannes Film Festival in France, the Toronto International Film Festival is considered one of the world's most prestigious artistic events. As such, it features some of the year's most anticipated films, attracts leading stars in the movie business, and serves as a major networking and educational opportunity for industry professionals.
Established by the Toronto International Film Festival Group, the festival was first held in 1976. From its inception, the event intended to attract worldwide attention yet simultaneously promote the domestic film industry. Today, people attend several showcases of Canadian-made films.
Festival organizers pride themselves on creating a public festival, which means film submissions from all over are accepted and screenings are open to the public as well as to the media and the film industry. The Toronto International Film Festival Group reports that it handles more than 300,000 public and industry admissions. From this group of films, Toronto theaters host screenings of over 300 films, representing about 50 different countries.
In spite of its lasting reputation for highlighting independent and international cinema, the festival has attracted attention and controversy since the 1990s for the submissions from Hollywood and the grand film marketing campaigns that promote them.
CONTACTS:
Toronto International Film Festival Group
2 Carlton St.
Toronto, ON MSB 1J3 Canada
www.torontointernationalfilmfestival.ca
SOURCES:
AnnivHol-2000, p. 163