The Toronto International Film Festival usually begins in September and so the organisers are now facing a dilemma as, due to the coronavirus, many of this year’s festivals have already been canceled or delayed.
Variety reports that the organizers are refusing to postpone TIFF this year but are aware that even if all coronavirus restrictions are lifted by September, there will still be a hesitation. As a solution, a digital component is being added.
TIFF executive director and co-head Joana Vicente says: “Postponing is definitely not a possibility on the table right now. [Based on] everything that we are learning, things might get worse in October or November if there is a second wave.”
She says it will be a hybrid festival this year with a digital component: “How big that digital component is and what it looks like, we’re still working on that… It’s going to be a modified version of the festival. We’re going to look at doing some kind of social distancing. Maybe it’s not six feet [of separation], but maybe there’s a seat in between.”
TIFF artistic director Cameron Bailey says studios and filmmakers are eager to premiere their work and remain highly motivated for their films to be considered, adding: “Everyone’s being really cooperative in making sure we get to see the films we need to see.”
