Toronto
#1 Entertainment Industry Event
Bell-sponsored TIFF presented 397 films, including 266 premiers, from 83 countries this year. Countless celebrities walked the red carpets along King Street West, which became a pedestrian-friendly Street Festival, welcoming about 100,000 star gazers daily. Next: September 7-17, 2017
Vancouver
#2 Entertainment Industry Event
More than 140,000 film fanatics attended the Telus-sponsored festival in 2015, with about 500 public screenings, and the same amount is expected this year. New multi-experiential streams celebrate the intersection of movies with music, dance, and fashion. Next: September 29-October 14, 2016
Montreal
#3 Entertainment Industry Event (up from #4)
Louis C.K. was a late and welcome addition to this year’s lineup of more than 200 comedians who cracked up about 1.35 million attendees. The festival generates about $80 million for Montreal’s economy and is presented by Vidéotron. Next: July 14-30, 2017
Toronto
#4 Entertainment Industry Event (up from #5)
Record-breaking crowds of more than 211,000 people attended this year, including more than 2,600 industry delegates for the workshops and conferences. A total of 232 films were shown on 15 screens for the 2016 Scotiabank-sponsored festival. Next: April 27-May 7, 2017
Edmonton
#5 Entertainment Industry Event (up from #6)
Free outdoor programing prompted visits to the site to grow to a record 850,000 in 2016, with 122,000 tickets sold, for the festival’s 35th anniversary. New this year: the ATB Golden Ticket, which awarded one lucky winner with 100 tickets, dinner with the artistic director, and a room at the Metterra Hotel. Next: August 17-27, 2017
Toronto
#6 Entertainment Industry Event
The awards broadcast, carried by CBC from the Sony Centre for Performing Arts, caps off Canadian Screen Week, geared toward industry and the public. The week includes four gala awards shows at four venues, including the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, and the Westin Harbour Castle. Next: March 12, 2017
Vancouver
#7 Entertainment Industry Event (up from #8)
There’s something for every Shakespeare fan at the Goldcorp-sponsored waterfront festival, which expected about 100,000 audience members for the four plays produced this summer. Special events included family nights and nights for barbecue and fireworks. Next: June 1-September 23, 2017
St. John’s
#8 Entertainment Industry Event (up from #9)
After a record turnout for the 25th anniversary in 2014, last year’s attendance receded to 2,800, with 46 films from 10 countries. For 2016, the Interactive Film Industry Forum will feature sessions on interactive and web-based storytelling. It’s sponsored by CBC. Next: October 19-23, 2016
