The Toronto International Film Festival has announced the new digital look of its Industry structure and programmes for the 2020 edition of the film fest.
This was contained in a statement issued by the festival’s organisers over the weekend.
Organisers said all Industry engagements and opportunities would be online, including business and talent development and its Industry Conference, taking place from September 10 to 15.
“In a time of disruption, professionals from around the world still look for occasions to come together, share innovative ideas, buy and sell content, and find creative ways to collectively forge ahead towards a safer, healthier, and inclusive future. This year, delegates can expect to find community, connection, inspiration, and talent — the foundation that will serve as the way forward,” said TIFF’s Senior Director of Industry & Theatrical, Geoff Macnaughton.
According to the statement, all Press and Industry screenings of films in and out of Official Selection will be online, on a professional version of TIFF’s digital screening platform, developed by Shift72. National promotional agencies will also be offered sections on the platform to promote films, talent, and initiatives in lieu of a physical Industry Centre.
“Film professionals can participate digitally in this year’s Festival by registering for one of two pass options, depending on their professional needs: the Digital Pro Pass is designed for distributors, exhibitors, sales agents, talent agents, producers, and writer-directors, while the new Digital Talks Pass is ideal for new filmmakers, actors, students, and scholars. Registration for the Digital Talks Pass opens Monday, July 27,” the statement said.
The Conference, now virtual, will feature a smaller line-up of talks than previous years, and will comprise Master Classes, Dialogues, Perspectives, Microsessions, and Spotlights. Speakers will include TIFF Ambassadors in addition to other leading and emerging voices in the film industry.
Festival Ambassadors
TIFF previously announced a selection of Festival Ambassadors, a new addition to the annual event that rallies acclaimed filmmakers and actors to help TIFF celebrate this year’s unique film fest. The latest additions include: Hiam Abbass, Haifaa Al-Mansour, Shamier Anderson, Darren Aronofsky, Olivier Assayas, Gael García Bernal, Derek Cianfrance, Mark Cousins, Julie Delpy, Barry Jenkins, Jia Zhang-ke, Barbara Kopple, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Brie Larson, Kasi Lemmons, Tatiana Maslany, Carey Mulligan, Genevieve Nnaji, Alanis Obomsawin, Natalie Portman, Zachary Quinto, Isabella Rossellini, Albert Serra, Wim Wenders, Olivia Wilde, and Donnie Yen.
Many of the Festival Ambassadors will engage with audiences through interactive digital experiences and events such as the Dialogues session which will be led by Filmmaker, producer, and screenwriter Derek Cianfrance; and TIFF Rising Stars programme, where actor and producer David Oyelowo will be a guest speaker.
TIFF’s Media Inclusion Initiative
The edition of TIFF’s Media Inclusion Initiative will also hold this year.
The programme will host 30 new under-represented journalists into the press corps who are covering the festival for the first time.
TIFF’s mission is to grow the total contingent of self-identified under-represented journalists in the accredited pool to 60% in 2020, giving special focus to Black, Indigenous, and people of colour (BIPOC), as well as those who identify as women, transgender, non-binary, two-spirited, gay, queer, bisexual, asexual, and/or lesbian and those who have a disability.