The Toronto International Film Festival has announced that it is banning all official Russian delegations from its 2022 edition following the country's invasion of Ukraine, though it will continue to welcome work from independent Russian filmmakers.
"As an arts organization dedicated to transforming the way people see the world through film, we support artists and their freedom of expression. TIFF will continue to include films from independent Russian filmmakers in our programming at the Toronto International Film Festival and year-round at TIFF Bell Lightbox," festival organizers said in a statement to Variety on Thursday. "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."
TIFF organizers went on to express solidarity with those in Ukraine, writing that they hope to amplify Ukrainian voices during the festival, which is set to run from September 8 to 18.
"TIFF stands against the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the declaration of war this signifies. 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 statement reads.
It continues: "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 travelled to TIFF over the years."
TIFF's announcement comes after Cannes Film Festival announced on Tuesday (March 1) that it had banned Russian delegations. Venice Film Festival also released a statement in support of Ukraine, while all five major Hollywood film studios — Disney, Sony, Warner Bros., Paramount and Universal — have protested the Russian invasion of Ukraine by pulling their films from theatrical release in Russia.
Netflix announced on Wednesday that it would pause all of its projects and acquisitions from the country.
"As an arts organization dedicated to transforming the way people see the world through film, we support artists and their freedom of expression. TIFF will continue to include films from independent Russian filmmakers in our programming at the Toronto International Film Festival and year-round at TIFF Bell Lightbox," festival organizers said in a statement to Variety on Thursday. "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."
TIFF organizers went on to express solidarity with those in Ukraine, writing that they hope to amplify Ukrainian voices during the festival, which is set to run from September 8 to 18.
"TIFF stands against the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the declaration of war this signifies. 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 statement reads.
It continues: "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 travelled to TIFF over the years."
TIFF's announcement comes after Cannes Film Festival announced on Tuesday (March 1) that it had banned Russian delegations. Venice Film Festival also released a statement in support of Ukraine, while all five major Hollywood film studios — Disney, Sony, Warner Bros., Paramount and Universal — have protested the Russian invasion of Ukraine by pulling their films from theatrical release in Russia.
Netflix announced on Wednesday that it would pause all of its projects and acquisitions from the country.
