TIFF Details Physical and Digital 2020 Edition

From drive-ins and digital screenings to virtual red carpets, the fest will be "tailored to fit the moment"

BY Calum SlingerlandPublished Jun 24, 2020

Nearly a month after teasing what their festival could look like in a world still grappling with the coronavirus pandemic, organizers for the Toronto International Film Festival have shared the details behind their 2020 event.

Running September 10 through 19, TIFF's 45th edition has been "tailored to fit the moment," and will feature physical screenings and drive-ins, digital screenings, virtual red carpets, press conferences, and industry talks.

The festival's 2020 programming includes a lineup of 50 new feature films and five programs of short films, in addition to interactive talks, cast reunions, and Q&As with cast and filmmakers.

As part of today's announcement, organizers have shared a selection of films to be screened at TIFF 2020, including Ammonite, directed by Francis Lee; Another Round, from director Thomas Vinterberg; Halle Berry's directorial debut Bruised; Ricky Staub's Concrete Cowboys; and Fauna, from director Nicolás Pereda. More titles will be announced over the summer.

Organizers explain that the first five days of the festival will see the full slate of films premiere as physical, socially distanced screenings. TIFF's website explains as follows:

Festival-goers can also enjoy drive-ins and outdoor experiences that take them beyond the movie theatre. TIFF is working closely with the Province of Ontario, the City of Toronto, and public health officials on the safe execution of the Festival, with its number-one priority being the health and well-being of both Festival filmgoers and the residents of the entire community. This presentation of TIFF's traditional in-person film festival will be contingent on the Province's reopening framework to ensure that Festival venues and workplaces practice, meet, and exceed public health guidelines.

"The pandemic has hit TIFF hard, but we've responded by going back to our original inspiration — to bring the very best in film to the broadest possible audience," TIFF artistic director and co-head Cameron Bailey said in a statement. "Our teams have had to rethink everything, and open our minds to new ideas. In countless video calls over the past three months we have rebuilt our festival for 2020 drawing on our five decades of commitment to strong curation, support for filmmakers and engagement with audiences." 

Executive director and co-head Joana Vicente added, "We could never have anticipated the global seismic changes we would be facing in 2020. We tapped into the original spirit of the festival from when it began in 1976 as our guiding light. The distilled edition of TIFF 2020 reflects a deep love of film, passion for our loyal audiences, commitment to the industry, and a whole lot of heart."

TIFF's festival announcement comes a day after organizers laid off 31 full-time staff and cut salaries. Due to continued health concerns and travel restrictions, TIFF's 2020 revenue is expected to be approximately half of what it was in 2019.

Details regarding film selection, screening venues, ticket sales and more will be available in the coming weeks. Further information can be found through TIFF's official website.

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