As the biggest film festival in North America, the Toronto International Film Festival continues to be a star-studded affair, drawing high-profile celebrities, directors and producers, and media outlets to the city for 11 days. But what may have been most noteworthy about the festival’s 43rd edition, which took place September 6 to 16, were the event’s noticeable steps to address gender and racial inequality in the film industry.
The festival held its first women’s march and rally as part of Share Her Journey, a program in its second year that aims to prioritize gender parity in the film industry. And in an effort to be more inclusive and diversify coverage, the festival expanded its group of credentialed media by nearly 20 percent by adding critics and reporters from under-represented groups.
Along with inclusion efforts, the festival screened 255 films and was home to flashy premieres of films such as A Star Is Born and First Man, as well as Instagram-worthy lounges, activations, and panels from brands such as Nespresso, AT&T, IMDb, and Deadline Hollywood. Here’s a look at some of the most notable ideas from TIFF events this year.
The fifth edition of the festival's public street party, held on King Street West between Peter Street and University Avenue, offered a variety of community activations and events. Passersby could pose in front of the festival's official red sign.
The inaugural rally, which took place September 8 at Slaight Music Stage, featured thought leaders and inspirational speakers addressing gender inequality in the film industry. The event was held in partnership with ReFrame, Time's Up, and #AfterMeToo.
NKPR held its annual film festival countdown event in August at the public relations firm’s president Natasha Koifman’s private residence. The event was sponsored by Hounds Vodka, which had its name displayed with floating letters in a pool.
Cosmetics brand Lisa Watier showcased a garden photo booth that incorporated white florals and hanging crystals. Caspar Haydar Design handled decor for the kickoff event.
AT&T returned to take over Momofuku Toronto for the second consecutive year from September 7 to 10. The venue hosted daily lunches, pre- and post-premiere parties, industry and filmmakers panels, and the Variety Studio. PMK-BNC handled the public relations and programming, while Best Events helmed production.
Signage wrapped the building to display the DirecTV and Variety branding, and transparent signs at the entrance featured additional branding and on-theme slogans.
The Variety Studio featured a colorful graffiti wall with the phrase "Tell Your Story."
Celebrities who stopped by the studio lounge were asked to sign the graffiti wall.
For the first time, Nespresso Canada served as TIFF's official coffee sponsor. The brand partnered with the Mint Agency to create a pop-up cafe at David Pecaut Square, where consumers could enjoy free coffee and curated coffee recipes.
Nespresso Talents, a competition that supports young filmmakers and empowers them to tell stories through vertical video, made its Canadian debut at the festival. The competition theme was “The Difference She Makes,” which celebrated female empowerment and spotlighted finalists. The September 13 event had a panel discussion followed by a breakfast at the Bisha Hotel. The Mint Agency produced the event.
Festival sponsor RBC brought its second annual RBC House to 11 Duncan Street, which hosted film parties, music events, junkets, and a series of panel discussions in partnership with Nespresso. The cast and creators of musical drama film Teen Spirit had a discussion with panelists in low plush chairs and the moderator in a director's chair. Rentals stuck to a black-and-white color scheme with pops of gold. The Mint Agency produced the event.
Mongrel Media took over the Campbell House for a fourth season to host a series of events from September 6 to 12. The company commissioned Canadian artist Kent Monkman to create the tent over the bar area.
The festival's beauty sponsor, L'Oréal Paris Canada debuted the #WorthIt Show, which is meant to be an inspiring platform to give a voice to women in the film industry. Brand spokeswomen Andie MacDowell and Amber Heard, TIFF Share Her Journey ambassador Shohreh Aghdashloo, and ET Canada host Sangita Patel discussed the current climate of women in film at the Globe and Mail Centre. The show also drove awareness for the #WorthSaying campaign, in support of the festival's Share Her Journey program.
The Visionary Group produced the IMDb Studio presented by Land Rover, where stars discussed their upcoming films and projects. Housed at the Bisha Hotel and Residences, the studio featured column wraps and a tinted window design in the style of Mondrian.
At IMDb's annual dinner party, which also took place at the Bisha, the Visionary Group created an acrylic cutout of the Toronto skyline that displayed the brand's logo.
Hudson’s Bay served as the festival's red carpet sponsor and brought back its signature striped carpet. The carpet served as the base for numerous celebrity photo ops, including Lady Gaga for the festival premiere of A Star Is Born.
Nespresso and Audi hosted the premiere for the Neil Armstrong biopic First Man, which took place September 11 at Patria. The event, which was produced by Brilliant Consulting Group, served cocktails made with Nespresso, reposado tequila, and cinnamon sticks.
Guests could also take home coffee-flavored popcorn created by Nespresso and the Toronto Popcorn Company.
Dosist, a Los Angeles-based startup that aims to rebrand cannabis for the wellness community, held its first Toronto pop-up September 8 to 16 at King Street West and Spadina. The greenhouse-style pop-up, which was produced and designed by the brand in partnership with the Mint Agency, aimed to educate the public about the brand's product.
The sleek but colorful pop-up featured displays highlighting the brand's white vape pens and custom cannabis formulas.
A wall of greenery served as the pop-up's step-and-repeat, boasting the slogan "Plants over pills."
The opening day of the pop-up included a workout lead by BOLO gym trainer Caleigh Rykiss and a guided mediation with the Quiet Company.
Deadline Hollywood hosted an extension of its popular podcast series, "New Hollywood," highlighting underrepresented voices in the industry at Love Child Social House. Yara Shahidi, Gillian Jacobs, and others participated in the panel.
