It’s officially Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) season in Toronto from September 7-17, 2023! While the experience is slightly altered this year, the city will be booming with events, lounges, hospitality experiences and premiered for 60 local and international film selections.
Looking to have some TIFF fun? Check out our guide below to some of the hottest spots to celebrate TIFF, watch a film or two, and immerse yourself in this iconic event.
TIFF Festival Street Party
The excitement of the Toronto International Film Festival will pour out from the theatres onto Festival Street and David Pecaut Square. King Street West between Peter Street and University Avenue will transform into an open-air experience accessible by the general public.
Festival Street celebrations will take place from September 7 – 10 with new and exciting activations from food vendors, to photo opportunities, and the Festival Street Music Stage housing musical performances throughout the opening weekend. You can also find the Festival Street Mural Project featuring artists Darcy Obokata and Tim Fukakusa (TIFF’s POP Japan mural artist) will create an exciting and evolving large art mural – a Toronto love letter to Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli.
Additional activations on Festival street include: Myseum of Toronto’s 36 Questions That Lead to Loving Toronto to Festival Street; Group Morning Mobility, a gentle mix of movement and meditation in David Pecaut Square by Have a Nice Day Pilates Studio on Saturday, September 9 at 11am for 30 minutes; and five additional vendors by BlackOwnedTO.
Kick-Off Event
Toronto’s biggest street party kicks off with A Night of Jazz, in partnership with The Rex (194 Queen St. W.) on Thursday September 7.
This will feature jazz legend Dave Young, Thompson Egbo-Ebgo, and the Jacob Chung Quintet, hosted by Raoul Bhaneja.
Next Wave Block Party
New this year, the TIFF Next Wave Block Party, presented by Snapchat, takes place on Saturday September 9.
This party will include additional performances from The Aubreys, featuring Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard; Alex Porat; winner of TIFF Next Wave’s Battle of the Scores, daydream; Sho Madjozi; and Grammy Award winner Zakes Bantwini.
Festival Street Art Market
Also new this year, a market filled with fun activities in celebration of art and community from the city’s most exciting community film festivals and arts organizations on Simcoe St.
Participants include: Inside Out Film Festival, imagineNATIVE Film Festival, Reel Asian Film Festival, Regent Park Film Festival, Hot Docs, Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (NCCT), Muse Arts, REEL CANADA, and Workman Arts.
Musical Celebrations
Continuing the musical celebrations on Friday, September 8, Diamond certified rock band Nickelback hits the Festival Street Music Stage to promote the premiere of their TIFF Gala Presentation Hate to Love: Nickelback, an intimate portrait of the Canadian stadium rockers’ celebrated career to date.
On Sunday September 10, revel in additional performances by Luna Elle (RBCxMusic Artist), Toronto Dance Theatre, and Doug Tielli. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the birth of hip hop, the Festival Street Closing Performance will be by the Godmother of Canadian Rap, Michie Mee.
House of Peroni Nastro Azzurro
Peroni Nastro Azzurro continues its support of emerging talent, craftsmanship and creativity as the official beer sponsor of the Toronto International Film Festival for a second year.
Returning to Festival Village for a second year – Peroni Nastro Azzurro will be opening its doors to the 19+ House of Peroni Nastro Azzurro, its renowned global experiential platform, in downtown Toronto.
Open throughout the duration of the festival in David Pecaut Square, the immersive pop-up allows guests to experience the best of Italian hospitality, and premiere taste. Enjoy a selection of complimentary Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% alongside an exclusive menu curated by International Celebrity Chef, David Rocco while taking in red-carpet views in the Peroni Nastro Azzurro Red Carpet Fan Zone.
Schedule:
- Thursday, September 7, from 6:30pm to 10pm
- Friday, September 8 – Saturday, September 9 from 12pm to 10pm
- Sunday, September 10, from 12pm to 9pm
- Monday, September 11 – Thursday, September 14 from 4pm to 9pm
- Friday, September 15, from 4pm to 10pm
- Saturday, September 16, from 12pm to 10pm
Cinema Park presented by L’Oreal Paris
TIFF’s returning Cinema Park, presented by L’Oreal Paris, will present open-air screenings in David Pecaut Square, showcasing classic films of some of the talent in TIFF 2023 Official Selection films: The Spiderwick Chronicles; Batman; Contact; a 40th-anniversary screening of Superman III; a memorial tribute to Paul Reubens with Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure; Rocky; plus four screenings presented by the Next Wave committee which include a 30th-anniversary screening of Addams Family Values, Clueless, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and Where the Wild Things Are.
Free Screenings
TIFF has once again partnered with the TTC to give Torontonians more access to Festival films.
On Saturday, September 16, members of the public are invited to Roy Thomson Hall for the TTC Free Screening of a Festival title.
At David Pecaut Square, there will be outdoor movie-watching experiences. Revisit classics like Tim Burton’s Batman and the iconic comedy Clueless, or Where the Wild Things Are held at 10 p.m. daily.
Cinema Center Hospitality Hub
Leading Hollywood Events and Communications group, Roxstar Entertainment, will bring its successful hospitality platform, the Cinema Center, to TIFF! For Toronto, their goal will be to support the film and creative community with its usual brand of glitz, glamour and gala celebration at this year’s festival.
Official TIFF Hospitality Partner, MARBL Toronto (455 King Street W) will serve as the host location and partner. Experiences will include a combination of sponsored gala premiere parties, industry-networking events, and press junkets over the four-day and night period. Films and events being celebrated at the Cinema Center include:
- “UNICORNS” – Friday, 9/8/23 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- “BACKSPOT” – Friday, 9/8/23 from 10:30 pm – 1:00 am
- “IRENA’s VOW” – Sunday 9/10/23 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
- The Creative Coalition’s Spotlight Soiree hosted by The Creative Coalition President, Tim Daly
- “THE CRITIC” – Monday, 9/11/23 from 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Additional 2023 Cinema Center sponsor partners making this activation luxurious and the glam include Sommsation, Blue Moon, Tres Generaciones tequila, and Belvedere Vodka.
W Toronto: Sips & Movie Snacks with Sommelier Lauren Power
Enjoy a guided pairings experience with movie-inspired snacks and select wines with local Sommelier expert Lauren Power in Living Room at W Toronto September 10th (4pm) & 14th (5pm).
This special, and free, 19 experience has a capacity for up to 12 people only and runs Sep 10th at 4PM and Sep 14th at 5PM.
Keep your eyes peeled for even more celeb sightings, events, activations, and screenings you can spot all around the city! Want to have a date night at a TIFF hot spot? Check out the list here!
