#1 Theater & Film Event
TIFF goes high-tech in 2016, with POP VR, a virtual reality project that will screen at the world’s biggest public film festival. In 2015 the festival showed 287 features and 110 shorts, with countless celebrities walking the red carpets. Bell remains the lead sponsor. Next: September 8-18, 2016
#2 Theater & Film Event
The 11-day festival broke attendance records again in 2016, with 211,000 people viewing 232 films on 15 screens across the city. More than 2,600 international industry delegates attended workshops and conferences, and Scotiabank returned as the title sponsor. Next: April 27-May 7, 2017
#3 Theater & Film Event
More than 25,000 theatergoers are expected at the 2016 edition of Canada’s largest curated performance festival of theater, dance, music, and live art. The festival features 69 performances this year, up from 65, and TD Canada Trust is the exclusive financial sponsor. Next: August 4-14, 2016
#4 Theater & Film Event
Pass sales doubled in 2016, the festival’s final year at Honest Ed’s Alley before moving to a permanent home at Scadding Court. Highlights included a visit from actor Neil Patrick Harris and a new online ticketing system. Steam Whistle Brewing returned as a sponsor. Next: July 5-16, 2017
#5 Theater & Film Event
One of the largest children’s film festivals in the world, the event screened 139 films in 2016, up from 126 last year. The TIFF Kids Industry Conference welcomed 47 speakers and 260 attendees over three days, and sponsors this year included Bell and RBC. Next: April 2017
#6 Theater & Film Event (new to the list)
The Doras grew to 1,200 attendees this year from 1,000 last year, and included a pre-show V.I.P. reception at the Billy Bishop Airport, awards at Harbourfront Centre’s Concert Stage, and an outdoor after-party at the Slip and World Café. Sponsors included Now magazine and York University. Next: June 26, 2017
#7 Theater & Film Event
About 35,000 members and supporters of the L.G.B.T. community viewed 165 films in 2016, up from 141 in 2015, thanks to a new program that saw the festival partner with community organizations. RBC returned as the presenting sponsor and Delta came on board. Next: Spring 2017
#8 Theater & Film Event
With the tagline “Everyone Is Jewish Enough for the Toronto Jewish Film Festival,” the 11-day fest screened 96 films in 2016. The Canadian Archival Series and the award-wining indie programing were highlights, and Mirvish Enterprises joined as a sponsor. Next year will mark the 25th anniversary of the festival. Next: May 4-14, 2017
