Toronto International Film Festival

GENERAL FESTIVAL INFORMATION ABOUT TIFF TIFF is a charitable cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world through film. An international leader in film culture, TIFF projects include the annual Toronto International Film Festival® in September; TIFF Bell Lightbox, which features five cinemas, major exhibitions, and learning and entertainment facilities; and the innovative national distribution programme Film Circuit. The organization generates an annual economic impact of $189 million CAD. TIFF Bell Lightbox is generously supported by contributors including Founding Sponsor Bell and Major Supporters the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, the City of Toronto, the Reitman family (Ivan Reitman, Agi Mandel and Susan Michaels), The Daniels Corporation, and RBC. The Toronto International Film Festival is generously supported by Lead Sponsor Bell, Major Sponsors RBC, L’Oréal Paris, and Visa, and Major Supporters the Government of Ontario, Telefilm Canada, and the City of Toronto. For more information, visit tiff.net. ABOUT THE FESTIVAL The Toronto International Film Festival® ranks among the most prestigious international film festivals in the world. For 10 days, film lovers, filmmakers, industry professionals, and media watch the best in new cinema from established masters and new talent. As one of the world’s most important cultural events, the Festival consistently strives to set the standard for excellence in film programming. Films are selected on the basis of quality and originality. Preference is given to premieres. The Festival also promotes contacts between industry professionals to assist in the development of the Canadian motion-picture industry. The Festival also serves as a platform for Canada's artists to share their stories. Audacious in its selection and supported by the intelligence and breadth of its international audience, the Festival has become the landmark destination for the moving image and is always seeking new ways to engineer creative and cultural discovery through film. The level of engagement the Festival sustains from year to year is unique. Enthusiastic audiences and filmmakers have unprecedented levels of access to one another as they exchange ideas about the art and business of filmmaking. Up-and-coming Canadian filmmakers gain unparalleled insight into the workings of the international market. Media from around the globe travel to the Festival, creating buzz and stirring excitement over films and the talent behind them. Film buyers and other industry professionals can choose from screenings and specialized Industry programming that empowers them to make informed business decisions. The Festival also provides excellent resources and networking opportunities for film-industry professionals. From the efficiency and dedication of the Festival’s staff and Volunteers to its vast contribution to the culture and economy of the City of Toronto, the Toronto International Film Festival has earned its long-standing reputation as a leader in the international film community. COVID-19 HEALTH AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Due to the ongoing pandemic and its changing landscape, the nature of the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival has not yet been determined. We are exploring all options and anticipate a hybrid of digital and physical screenings. The scale of the Festival may affect the number of films officially selected. TIFF is working closely with the Province of Ontario, the City of Toronto, and public health officials on the safe execution of the Festival, our number one priority being the health and well-being of both Festival filmgoers and the residents of the entire community. TIFF will continue to monitor and communicate to our filmmaking community all developments on the pandemic, and will adhere to the guidelines and recommendations made by government health officials. Guests invited to the Festival for any in-person events understand that they must follow the health and safety instructions directed by the government and facilitated by TIFF, and must disclose if they have been experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, or have tested positive for COVID-19, for the safety of all TIFF guests, staff, and patrons. TIFF may revise its COVID-19 guidelines and policies at any time in accordance with the recommendations of public health officials and other experts in this field. TIFF reserves the right to deny admission to any person who fails to adhere to the policies in place at the time of the Festival. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. Guests voluntarily assume all risks related to the exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold TIFF liable for any illness that may result. THE NUMBERS The 2020 Toronto International Film Festival: -welcomed over 118,000 attendees; -accredited over 3,900 Canadian and international industry delegates; -accredited hundreds of Canadian and international media; -received approximately 6,876 international and Canadian submissions; -screened 58 feature films, 36 short films, and three series from 47 countries; -had a five-day Industry Conference with over 34 panels and over 111 speakers. SUBMISSIONS PROCESS The submissions period for the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival opens February 16, 2021. All submissions to the Toronto International Film Festival must be made via FilmFreeway (https://filmfreeway.com/TIFF). SCREENING FORMATS All selected films must supply TIFF with an exhibition copy (“Exhibition Copy” or “Exhibition Copies”) of the Film by August 13, 2021, in a Theatrical Screening Format and/or Online Screening Format , as specified by TIFF upon invitation. Note that delivery requirements are different based on format. a. Theatrical Screening Format: applicable to Theatrical Screening Copies of feature films and Primetime serial content that are scheduled for presentation in cinema. b. Online Screening Format: applicable to Online Screening Copies of all feature films, short films in short programmes, and Primetime serial content presented on our online screening platform. c. All non-English language films will be required to provide content with English subtitles. d. All English language films will be required to have closed captions in English, providing a transcription of spoken dialogue and a description of audio cues. SCHEDULING In accordance with the regulations of the International Federation of Film Producers Associations, TIFF may schedule Films for up to five screenings (including public and Press & Industry) over the course of the Festival. Any additional public, Press & Industry, or private screening will be done only with consent from the Registrant. The time(s), date(s), and locations(s) of all Film screenings will be selected by TIFF in its sole and absolute discretion and are subject to change at any time with no notice to the Registrant. Among the above noted screenings, TIFF may schedule each Film for up to five Digital Screenings (as defined below), including both public and Press & Industry, on TIFF’s online screening platform, in accordance with these Terms. Digital Screening is defined as a ticketed screening event or access window that is made available (i) for online viewing to accredited delegates and ticket purchasers, (ii) on TIFF’s secure online screening platform, in Canada for public screenings and worldwide for Press & Industry screenings, unless otherwise agreed to by TIFF in writing, (iii) at a scheduled time or within a limited duration over the course of the Festival, and (iv) with a limited capacity of online viewings per screening. SCREENING PROTOCOL TIFF expects that the Film’s director, and any other guests participating in the Festival with the Film in either an in-person or online capacity, will be present for the public screenings of the Film, including, where applicable, the in-person or digital publicity events, and including but not limited to an introduction (preceding the screenings) and a question-and-answer session (following the screenings). The film will be presented on our online screening platform and in a physical venue pending public health approval and in accordance with health and safety guidelines and recommendations made by government health officials.