TIFF Is Still Happening Amid WGA and SAG-AFTRA Strike

"Our dates are the same, the films are coming," said CEO Cameron Bailey

Photo: Alex Hudson

BY Megan LaPierrePublished Jul 20, 2023

With Hollywood effectively at a standstill now that actors have joined writers on strike, the imminent future of cherished events like the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) seems a little shaky. But there's good news: as of right now, TIFF will still be happening from September 7 to 17.

"TIFF is on," CEO Cameron Bailey told Deadline. "Our dates are the same, the films are coming." The first phase of programming is set to be revealed next week; a lineup of over 200 features comprised of the festival's standard ratio of 30 percent Hollywood pictures and 70 percent international films.

According to the report, major studios don't seem to be curbing their awards-season hopefuls for fall festivals. It's already been announced that Taika Waititi's soccer comedy, Next Goal Wins, will have its world premiere at TIFF.

However, festival publicists have told the outlet that if the strike lasts more than four weeks, it could impact A-listers showing up on the red carpet. It also depends on the film: if they're not from Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP) companies, independent acquisition projects could be deemed non-struck worthy, meaning stars could be cleared to promote them at festivals — unlike Disney's very ghosted Haunted Mansion premiere.

"We're anticipating an opportunity for actors in independent films to be able to present their work, but it's really a choice actors will make that we're just trying to understand more about right now," Bailey remarked.

The CEO added, "We have to prepare for the possibility that the strike will extend into the fall."

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