#1 Theater & Film Event
With the announcement last year that TIFF C.E.O. Piers Handling was stepping down, the city’s biggest film fest will now have two new co-heads: Cameron Bailey, promoted from artistic director, and another to be named. Bell remains the lead sponsor for this massive 11-day event that screened 340 films last year from 74 countries. Next: September 6-16, 2018
#2 Theater & Film Event
Hot Docs continued to break attendance records in 2018, its 25th anniversary, with 223,000 doc lovers screening 247 films at 16 venues over 11 days. Scotiabank returned as the presenting partner, with Netflix and Samsung also supporting the festival. Next: Spring 2019
#3 Theater & Film Event
Cannabis company Tweed and new-on-the-scene fintech player Koho sponsored the 30th anniversary edition of the theater festival in 2018. The fest featured 160 productions seen by about 20,000 patrons, and the same numbers were expected again this year for the combination of free and ticketed performances. Next: July 2019
#4 Theater & Film Event
The family-friendly fest moved to March break this year, welcoming 15,000 kids and parents to see 100 films from more than 40 countries. Sponsors included Bell, RBC, L’Oréal Paris, and Visa. Next: Spring 2019
#5 Theater & Film Event
Venue availability forced the Doras to move to a smaller space this year—the Winter Garden Theatre—leaving room for only 990 acting community stalwarts at the cocktail reception, sit-down dinner, award ceremony, and dance party. Broadway’s Come From Away star Astrid Van Wieren hosted, flying in for the event on her night off. Next: Spring 2019
#6 Theater & Film Event (up from #7)
About 25,000 people attended this year’s cinematic celebration of Jewish culture, which showcased films from 23 countries at seven venues. Sponsors included Cineplex and the Toronto Star. New this year: the Chosen Film People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Air Transat. Next: May 2-12, 2019
#7 Theater & Film Event (up from #8)
The film festival champions innovative L.G.B.T.Q. filmmakers from around the world, screening 133 films in 11 days, slightly down from 136 last year. RBC returned as the lead sponsor, with Bell sponsoring the festival lounge. Among the highlights was a newly created, two-day finance forum. Next: Spring 2019
#8 Theater & Film Event
Fewer spectators were expected at this year’s 11-day curated festival of theatre, dance, music, and live art as it refocuses and scales back to 32 performances from last year’s 52. New this year: The $700 artist participation fee was waived as part of the festival’s commitment to removing barriers. TD returns as the music programing sponsor. Next: August 9-19, 2018
#9 Theater & Film Event
Returning to the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts in 2018, comedians Jonny Harris and Emma Hunter hosted the gala this year, where writer Margaret Atwood and broadcaster Peter Mansbridge were honored. Sponsors included CBC, Telefilm, Bell Media, Netflix, Canada Media Fund, Cineplex, and Cogeco Fund. Next: March 2019
