TIFF Industry -- Toronto International Film Festival Industry Programs

Overview

TIFF Industry is the professional industry program operating during the Toronto International Film Festival each September. It is widely considered the most important film industry gathering in North America and one of the most significant in the world, attracting thousands of producers, distributors, sales agents, acquisitions executives, and financiers from every major film market.

TIFF Industry operates alongside the festival's public programming, providing accredited industry professionals with screening access, meeting facilities, panels, workshops, and networking events. The combination of TIFF's extraordinarily comprehensive public program -- which includes the year's most anticipated international releases -- with a concentrated industry gathering creates an unusually powerful platform.

TIFF Industry's importance comes from the sheer concentration of decision-makers it attracts. During the TIFF period, Toronto becomes the temporary center of the global film industry, with acquisitions deals, co-production agreements, and distribution arrangements made across the ten-day festival period.

Key Sections

• Industry Screenings -- advance screenings for professionals
• TIFF Pitch This! -- pitch competition for documentary projects
• Filmmakers Lab -- development program for emerging Canadian filmmakers
• Conference -- panels and discussions on industry issues
• Networking Events -- structured and informal professional gatherings
• The Nest -- dedicated networking and meeting space for industry

What Filmmakers Should Know

TIFF Industry accreditation is available to film industry professionals at various levels. The accreditation provides access to industry screenings, the conference program, and networking events that are not available to general festival audiences.

For producers with projects seeking co-production partners or distribution, attending TIFF Industry provides access to the largest concentration of potential partners available in North America. The relationships built at TIFF Industry often form the foundation for deals that are formally signed months later.

Festival History

TIFF Industry has evolved alongside the festival itself since TIFF's founding in 1976. The industry component has grown as TIFF's international profile has increased, and it now represents one of the most comprehensive film market gatherings outside of Cannes.

See Also

For the main Toronto International Film Festival, see Toronto International Film Festival. For film market strategy, see International Film Markets.