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The beginning of the next big thing
The festival was formed at the Windsor hotel and geared to show films that had already been played at other festivals. When they were first starting they showed 140 films from 30 different countries. it was named the festivals of festivals.Bill Marshall, Henk Van der Kolk and Dusty Cohl are the founders. -
The first year
The first year took place at the Ontario place cinesphere. There were 35,000 people in attendance to see cousin,cousine. However, Hollywood studios were reluctant to send along submissions to TIFF because of concerns that Toronto audiences would be too ‘parochial’ for their content – reinforcing the reputation of Canadians being a collective group of goodie-two-shoes. -
The Third Year
Wayne Clarkson becomes Festival Director. The Festival launches its annual Symposium, Canada’s largest business conference for filmmakers -
Canadians advantage
Perspective Canada is founded, confirming Festival’s commitment to bringing Canadian films and filmmakers to a wider, international audience. -
Key People in the future
Helga Stephenson is named Festival Director; Piers Handling takes on the role of Programming Director. -
Film Reference Library
TIFF assumes stewardship of the Ontario Film Institute and founds the Film Reference Library. The Institute’s screening programme is expanded to form Cinematheque Ontario (now TIFF Cinematheque). -
TIFF
The Festival of Festivals becomes the Toronto International Film Festival. Piers Handling is named Festival Director and CEO of the newly named umbrella organization, the Toronto International Film Festival Group. -
Honour for those who wait
Piers Handling is honoured as a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, France’s highest cultural Order. Sprockets (now the TIFF Kids International Film Festival) is launched, headed by programmer Jane Schoettle. -
Reel Talk
Talk Cinema (now Reel Talk), a Sunday morning preview and discussion series, is founded. -
25th Festival Celebrations
TIFF commissions 10 Canadian filmmakers to make short films for the Prelude programme. James Quandt, Senior Programmer for Cinematheque Ontario (now TIFF Cinematheque) is presented a Special Citation from the National Society of Film Critics (USA).The PITCH THIS! event for emerging filmmakers is launched as part of the Festival’s Industry Programming. Film Circuit receives the Peter F. Drucker Award for Canadian Non-Profit Innovation. -
Youth in the GTA
Special Delivery is founded to reach out to youth in under-served areas of the GTA who may not otherwise have access to the Festival experience. -
Student Filmmakers
The inception of Talent Lab, an industry initiative for Canadian filmmakers. The TIFF Kids Globetrotter series is created along with the Student Film Showcase, featuring a diverse and exciting range of works by emerging student filmmakers. Piers Handling receives the CEO of the Year award from the Canadian Public Relations Society. -
Reaching out for health
Construction officially begins on TIFF Bell Lightbox. Cameron Bailey is appointed Co-Director of the Toronto International Film Festival. Noah Cowan is named Artistic Director for TIFF Bell Lightbox.
TIFF establishes Reel Comfort, reaching out to patients in the Mental Health/Psychiatric Units at Toronto General Hospital and St. Michael’s Hospital. -
Teachers and TIFF
The John VanDuzer Children’s Film Collection is launched, providing teachers with the unique opportunity to rent and screen engaging, fun, and educational films not otherwise available in Canada. TIFF Cinematheque presents In the Realm of Oshima: The Films of Japanese Master Nagisa Oshima, the first major Oshima retrospective in North America in 20 years, which goes on to tour key cultural institutions in a dozen cities including the Walker Art Center and the Harvard Film Archive. -
Major exhibitions
TIFF presents the major exhibitions X-Men Master: Gordon Smith and Designing 007: Fifty Years of Bond Style. TIFF Cinematheque presents a major retrospective on Robert Bresson, which tours key cultural institutions in over a dozen cities in North America and is accompanied by the publication of James Quandt’s essential anthology Robert Bresson (Revised). -
50 years!
In 2015 the festival celebrated 50 years and is excited for whats to come.