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The 45th Toronto International Film Festival

By Ron Gordner, DC Film Society Member

The 45th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) was held from September 10-19, 2020 showcasing a curated selection of 50 films due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was down from the 333 films last year which included about 50 Canadian features and shorts. Of the 50 films featured, 46% were directed or co-directed by women and included some physically distanced onsite screenings at the Bell Lightbox theatres, some drive screenings around Toronto, and virtual red carpets, and industry and artist interactions. Virtual screenings were the mainstay and other than press and industry screenings, were limited primarily to tickets for those who could screen the films in Canada. TIFF tried to be more inclusive with press and industry representatives of color, LGBTQ, and ethinic minorities this year also.



Cameron Bailey assumed the title of Artistic Director and Co-Head of the Toronto International Film Festival and Joanna Vicente was named the new Executive Director and other Co-Head of TIFF last year. Many of the films had TIFF usual world premieres and some films from earlier festivals such as Cannes which did not take place but curated a number of films also. Some films also may have been presented at the Telluride Film Festival which also did not take place due to the pandemic and a few had had days earlier screenings at the Venice Film Festival. Like most other film festivals since February of 2020 they had reimagined the whole festival selection and dynamics of screenings if a festival was to be held at all. Rival film festivals coordinated as never before this year to curate their selections and determine how to screen them onsite, digitally, or in some workable combination.

So I missed being in Toronto, eating ice cream at the Sweet Jesus shop and Tim Horton's restaurants and great international foods in the city. I assume missing were the usual very long lines around the block which were seen for some screenings in 27 venues, despite the fact that the Winter Garden and Elgin screening rooms, and the Princess of Wales or entering the large Scotiabank 14 cinema theatres with their own food islands.

TIFF has sections or categories of films and also has some art installations. Sections this year were: Gala Presentations, Masters, Special Presentations, TIFF for free (some free films publicly screened outdoors and a free additional screening of the Audience Award winner on the last Sunday), Discovery (first and second time filmmakers); a record number 46 films this year from 37 countries, TIFF DOCS (documentaries), Contemporary World Cinema, Canadian Programming, TIFF KIDS, Visions (filmmakers who challenge our notions of mainstream cinema), Primetime (TV movies), Wavelengths (avant garde cinema), and their famous Midnight Madness section (primarily horror and black comedy films screening at Midnight with usually an appreciative and rowdy crowd). The Wavelengths category described as: daring, visionary, and autonomous voices. Primetime included serial television storytelling that shows how recent tv films are blurring the line between big screen and small screen viewing experiences. Of course this year each block only had a few entries. The Discovery branch was still well represented. A number of actors directed films such as Halle Berry (Bruises) and Regina King (One Night in Miami). TIFF tributes and conversations with Meryl Streep, Taika Waititi, Mati Dop, and Joaquin Phoenix were also included. Many question and answer discussions about 15-20 minutes in length followed virtual screenings.

So, no great swag or outdoor freebies as in earlier years such as free food the first week on the blocked King St. which usually included Nespresso (McDonalds’ was out this year as sponsor), Air France’s Eiffel Tower popup café with free bonbons and raspberry champagne, Bubbly fizzy drinks, VISA card candy, free UniQlo clothing, and Pure Leaf tea samples. All gone this year. Also a large revenue for Toronto and the Province of Ontario not to have onsite screenings and guests and participants from around the world affected the hotel, airline, restaurant, movie theatres and other local businesses that ramp up this time every year. Also the thousands of volunteers usually physically needed each year who volunteer valued time to keep the festival running smoothly.

TIFF has become a major market and sales stop for films to North America. There is a small market at the Venice Festival but it is really Toronto where they are primarily sold. But films were bought during and after the festival. Many of the films if purchased were scheduled to be seen starting at 6pm and you had 24 hours to screen them. I found some digital problems or slowness if you tried to see them at the opening window period probably when there was a larger request and screening load. Watching some later in the evening or the next day proved better to smoothly see some films.

Some films picked up for US distribution by Netflix were Bruised and Pieces of A Woman. IFC picked up MLK/FBI, and Redbox got Shadow in the Cloud. There were a number of strong female driven films this year and those again dealing with the plight of immigrants, Black Lives Matter, and politics and justice.

This list is culled from a small number or films digitally screened and from subsequent film festivals or screenings.


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