The cast of Hustlers sat down for a #SheInspiresMe panel at the Assembly Chef's Hall, to discuss inclusiveness in Hollywood and the importance of showing diverse voices and telling diverse stories in film. The panel was streamed live on Twitter.Photo: Courtesy of Twitter
TORONTO—The Toronto International Film Festival serves as a flashy hub for premieres with high-profile celebrities, directors, and producers—but this year, the largest film festival in North America also took an interest in up-and-coming industry talent.
The festival’s 44th edition, which took place September 5 to 15, took an interest in local and international rising talent with initiatives such as the TIFF Writers Studio, TIFF Filmmakers Lab, and TIFF Rising Stars. And in an effort to be more inclusive and diversify coverage, the festival provided 20 percent of press credentials to journalists identified as underrepresented.
The festival also embraced social media. On Thursday, TIFF announced that for the first time, it would forego the traditional, formal award ceremony at the end of the festival and instead announce the audience award and juried competition winners on social media. Plus, for the first time ever, Twitter Canada had a major presence during the festival, with the #TwitterHouse (last seen at SXSW) and a #SheInspiresMe event featuring the cast of Hustlers.
The festival screened 333 films from more than 80 countries, including high-profile screenings of Joker and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. The 11-day event featured numerous Instagram-worthy lounges, activations, and panels from brands such as Nespresso, AT&T, Lyft, and Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. Here’s a look at some of the most notable ideas from TIFF events this year.
