How to Experience the Toronto International Film Festival (with & without $)
By Aaron Licht

 

I don’t want to take much of your time.  Time would be better spent working to make money to see more at the Toronto International Film Festival.  Last year there were over 330 movies from around the globe featuring premieres of such future hits as Lost In Translation, 21 Grams, The Corporation . . .  you get the picture.  The Toronto International Film Festival is second in importance only to Cannes, and first for the moviegoing public.  I will describe the basics of enjoying the festival if you decide to throw yourself into the madness.  I am one of the thousands afflicted with Film Festival Fever.  From September 9th to the 18th, my head is hot, I run around ecstatically happy and absorb as much cultural goodness as time will allow.  I will assume that you are one of us. 

My friend working in York University’s film programme is shelling out nearly half a grand to get the Monster Film Pass.  He will see over 50 films within the 10 days of the festival.  We can’t all be as lucky, or as insane.  If you do have some money to spend, buy a 10-coupon book or share a 30-coupon book with a friend.  This is the best way to guarantee advance tickets to the popular films.  Unfortunately coupon books sell out in early August.  No matter.  We want to know how to enjoy the festival without charging our credit cards.

Volunteering time at the non-profit festival is an enriching experience and highly recommended for movie-watching benefits.  All volunteer recruitment sessions are in July and early August, but volunteers are always needed somewhere.  Each volunteer shift at a theatre venue earns a free movie voucher.  If you end up at a larger venue like the Varsity, Cumberland or the Paramount, you’ll be helping preview more of the big-name Hollywood films.  For movie- watching purposes, I suggest volunteering at one of the smaller venues like the Isabel Bader, Elgin or the ROM.  Since they only have one theatre, volunteers can 'unofficially' slip into the back of the theatre.  In a six hour shift, you can be lucky enough to catch two films then leave with a ticket-voucher!  In addition to the regular public screenings, your voucher can be used at the unpublicized Press & Industry screenings.  The media appreciates the “volunteer public” filling empty seats and gauge our reaction to the film.  These screenings are far less busy than the public screenings.  And always lookout for freebies and extra tickets hanging around the theatre’s volunteer office. 

Unless you’re lucky enough to live downtown, plan to be downtown for much of the week.  Find a friend’s place where you can fuel up and take power naps.  The secret to a productive festival is time and patience.  And rush lines.  Most films at the festival sell out fast.  But there’s this little thing called the rush line.  15 minutes before a film begins, if ticket holders haven’t claimed their seats, small waves of the rush line are resold the unused seats.  Isn’t that excellent?  If you show up about an hour or two (or three) before the film, you’re likely to get inside.  While waiting, don’t just turn on the MP3s and turn off.  Read the Festival Daily, and most importantly, talk to fellow festival patrons.  Don’t be shy.  Toronto cinephiles are very friendly people.  Happy to share hot festival tips, gossip about celebrity sightings, and extra tickets.  If you’re near the start of the rush line, you’ll likely be offered extra tickets for purchase, free tickets for other films, or even free passes by people involved with the films.  For highly anticipated films, like Paul Thomas Anderson’s film Punch-Drunk Love, don’t even try the rush line.  It can extend entire city blocks and extra tickets can go for as high as $40.  The rush line is ideal for rabid fans but is far from infallible.

I did say most films sell out.  But I never want to hear anyone say “I didn’t get any advance tickets and don’t have time for rush lines so I won’t bother with the festival.”  There are dozens of fantastic films from around the world that will never see the light of your local theatre.  These windows into the world are often the festival’s secret gems and same-day tickets are usually available.  In the past few years, my favourite films are often the smaller art films that I’ll never be able to see again like Abderrahmane Sissako’s Waiting for Happiness and Sarah Gavron’s This Little Life. 

Oh, and despite how much you might crave getting to the next rush line early, stay for the post-screening filmmaker Q&A.  You won’t regret it.  I can feel a giddy rant coming on, so I should stop myself before I get carried away.  If you live in the Toronto area, go to the festival.  If you’ve never been, the festival is an ideal time to visit.  For everyone else, keep checking Being There for a first glance at memorable cinema coming your way in 2005. 

For further TIFF info visit http://www.e.bell.ca/filmfest/2004/default.asp

For more information on volunteering, call the Volunteer Hotline at (416) 967-7371 x2208

or visit their website.

Be sure to check back in September for more on the 2004 Toronto International Film Festival, including the yet-to-be-announced film lineup!