TIFF Industry

Overview

TIFF Industry is the professional industry program that runs during the Toronto International Film Festival each September. For 2025, the 50th edition of TIFF runs September 4 through 14, with the Industry Conference taking place September 5 through 9. The 51st edition is scheduled for September 10 through 20, 2026. If you are a producer, distributor, sales agent, acquisitions executive, or financier looking to do business in North America, TIFF Industry is where those deals happen.

The organization generates an estimated annual economic impact of $240 million CAD. During the festival period, Toronto becomes the temporary center of the global film industry. Acquisitions deals, co-production agreements, and distribution arrangements are negotiated across the ten-day window. In 2025, TIFF remains an "unofficial market" with a unique business model rather than a traditional exhibitor-floor market. That changes in 2026.

TIFF: The Market (2026)

TIFF is launching an Official Content Market in 2026. TIFF: The Market will be a seven-day event designed to drive the global film, television, and innovation industries forward. It is funded by the Government of Canada and by Major Supporter Telefilm Canada. The market will include labs, fellowships, mentorship programs, and business meeting opportunities for creators and professionals. Applications for several market programs open in February 2026, with program attendance and business meetings scheduled for September 2026.

For 2025, TIFF continues to invite National Agencies and their sales agents to spotlight national cinema at the Industry Centre in the form of stands. Agencies can showcase and promote Official Selection films, presentations, and talent from their region to maximize visibility to the North American market. Companies interested in future exhibition opportunities for 2026 can contact sales@tiff.net.

Industry Accreditation

TIFF Industry accreditation provides access to Press and Industry screenings, the Industry Centre, and the Industry Conference. Accreditation for TIFF 50 (2025) opened June 2. Registration requests are reviewed within five business days of submission. Passes cannot be shared.

Who Qualifies

Industry accreditation is intended for film professionals who have been active in the film industry over the past two years. The program is geared toward producers, sales agents, distributors, exhibitors, talent agents, below-the-line crew, and writer-directors. Newcomers with under two years of professional experience, scholars, and students are directed to the Conference Pass instead.

Industry Membership vs. Accreditation

An Industry Membership offers year-round benefits: access to select TIFF Industry events, discounted tickets, and discounted rates for Festival passes. Members also receive discounts on Festival submissions. However, having an Industry Membership does not mean you are accredited for the Festival. For Festival access, you must register for accreditation separately.

Industry Centre Location

The Industry Centre is on the mezzanine level of the Hyatt Regency Hotel at 370 King St. W. Onsite pass pick-up and onsite registration hours:

• September 2 to 3: 10am to 8pm
• September 4 to 7: 8am to 8pm
• September 8 to 12: 8am to 6pm
• September 13: 8am to 12pm

Industry Conference

The TIFF 50 Industry Conference, presented by Christie Digital, runs September 5 through 9, 2025. It includes six pillars:

• Visionaries (supported by The Hollywood Reporter): onstage conversations with industry leaders. TIFF 50 speakers include Donna Langley (NBCUniversal), Andrea Scrosati (Fremantle), Yelena Rachitsky (Meta), Edward Berger, and Sterlin Harjo.
• Dialogues (Media Partner: Variety, supported by Ontario Creates): moderated conversations between directors, screenwriters, and producers about creative craft.
• Perspectives: panels on industry trends and issues.
• Microsessions: short-format professional development sessions.
• Spotlight: focused sessions on specific topics or talent.
• Buyers in Focus (new in 2025): panel conversations with global acquisition executives. Featured companies include Sony Pictures Classics, Constantin Film, Curzon Film, Madman Entertainment, Mongrel Media, RAI Cinema, and others. This pillar lays the groundwork for TIFF: The Market in 2026.

Industry accreditation, including access to the Industry Conference, can be purchased online until August 22 and onsite at the Hyatt Regency starting September 2.

Industry Selects

TIFF programs an Industry Selects slate each year: 10 standout, audience-ready titles from around the world, available for acquisition during the Festival. The 2025 slate spans drama, thriller, comedy, and documentary. Accredited industry professionals, including buyers, can download the Rights List Preview from the delegate resources site. The complete and final list is posted before the festival opens.

Talent Development Programs

TIFF's Talent Development programming includes labs, fellowships, and funds that support emerging creators and their projects. For 2026, TIFF: The Market will expand these offerings with:

• A 5-day professional development experience for emerging Canadian and international directors, with tailored creative mentorship. Applications open February 2026.
• A collaborative 5-day programme for emerging screenwriters, followed by a script polish period with a development executive. Applications open February 2026 for attendance in April 2026.
• A 4-day programme for Canadian series creator teams, focused on elevating premium episodic IP toward production and global markets. Applications open February 2026.
• A programme for mid-career Canadian producers building globally competitive feature slates.
• A storytelling development programme for experienced IP holders expanding film or television IP into immersive, interactive, and XR formats.

What Filmmakers Should Know

For Producers Seeking Deals

TIFF Industry gives you access to the largest concentration of potential co-production partners and distributors available in North America. The relationships built at TIFF often form the foundation for deals formally signed months later. The Industry Selects program and the Rights List give buyers a curated starting point for acquisition conversations.

For Filmmakers Submitting to TIFF

Submissions for the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival open February 27, 2026, via FilmFreeway. Early-Bird deadline is March 27, 2026. Standard deadline is May 8, 2026. Submission fees range from $50 CAD (Canadian shorts, early bird) to $155 CAD (features, standard deadline). Industry Members receive discounted submission rates. See the Toronto International Film Festival page for the full fee schedule.

For First-Time Attendees

If you have under two years of professional film industry experience, apply for the Conference Pass rather than full Industry accreditation. The Conference Pass gives you access to the Industry Conference sessions without the Press and Industry screening access. This is the most cost-effective way to experience TIFF Industry programming and begin building professional relationships.

Delegate Resources

Registered delegates get access to online resources including the Delegates List and networking tools. Delegate Resources for 2025 opened August 1. Login information is sent by email after registration confirmation. The 2025 Rights List Preview was available August 21, with the complete list posted by August 29.

Festival History

TIFF Industry has grown alongside the festival since TIFF's founding in 1976 as the Festival of Festivals. The industry component expanded as TIFF's international profile increased through the 1980s and 1990s. The opening of the TIFF Bell Lightbox, a year-round cultural center on King Street West with five cinemas, cemented the organization's position. In 2026, the launch of TIFF: The Market represents the most significant expansion of TIFF's industry programming to date, transitioning from an unofficial market model to a formal seven-day market event.

See Also

For the main Toronto International Film Festival, see Toronto International Film Festival. For film market strategy, see International Film Markets. For distribution deal fundamentals, see Distribution Deals Explained. Use the Festival Entry Fee ROI Calculator to evaluate whether attending TIFF Industry makes financial sense for your project.