TORONTO — TIFF’s Festival Street is back for its ninth year, offering thousands of film fans free entertainment and fun activations along King St. W. between Peter St. and University Ave. Open to all, this four-day celebration of food, drinks, art, and culture will take place from September 5–8. As well, free open-air screenings and activities will take place in David Pecaut Square September 5–14.
Kicking off the excitement on opening day is the World Premiere of The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal from producer-director Mike Downie — brother of Gord Downie, who alongside Rob Baker, Johnny Fay, Paul Langlois, and Gord Sinclair went on to make music that defined Canada to the world, and more importantly, Canada to Canadians. Following the screening of the four-part docu-series, Choir! Choir! Choir! will lead a giant outdoor sing-a-long from the Royal Alexandra Theatre onto Festival Street to celebrate 40 years of The Tragically Hip, presented by Prime Video. Fans are invited to join this unforgettable moment at the Amazon Music Bus on John St. (between King St. and Wellington St.) on Thursday, September 5, 4:30pm–5:45pm. Approximate start time is 5:00pm, exact timing is subject to change.
For movie lovers who can’t get enough films, Cinema Park is back with free open-air screenings in David Pecaut Square, featuring 40th-anniversary screenings of Ghostbusters (September 11), Footloose (September 12), and The Karate Kid (September 13); as well as screenings of Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (September 5), Ghost (September 6), Gattaca (September 7), Arrival (September 8), Drumline (September 9), The Outsiders (September 10), and Pitch Perfect (September 14). These can’t-miss classics will be presented with open captions and screened nightly at 10pm.
Festival Street Art Market, in partnership with Toronto Film School, will have booths along Simcoe St. and King St. Toronto’s local film festivals and arts organizations will be on hand to share initiatives, activities, programming information, and more. Participants include Toronto Film School, Inside Out Film Festival, Reel Asian Film Festival, imagineNATIVE, OCAD, Luminato Festival, Regent Park Film Festival, Muse Arts, Toronto Latin American Film Festival, REEL CANADA, and Workman Arts.
New this year, TIFF welcomes Campari, whose iconic Negroni is the Official co*cktail of the TIFF Red Carpet. Festival-goers will stay hydrated with TIFF’s new Official Water, FLOW, have the opportunity to get up close with the stars in the SHINGRIX fan zone at Roy Thomson Hall, and snap selfies with Visit California & Brand USA. When the clock strikes 12am, Intrepid Travel will invite film fans to take a walk on the wild side as the Presenting Sponsor of TIFF’s Midnight Madness programme. On Festival Street, families can enjoy plant-based BEYOND MEAT burgers, and take a moment to relax and enjoy a Ferrero Rocher Bar at the Ferrero Rocher® Golden Lounge. TIFF has also teamed up with OVO x 1 LOVE T.O. for a Festival Street pop-up that brings the soundtrack of Toronto and raises funds for TIFF’s Every Story Fund.
Festival Street would not exist without the tremendous support from our fellow Torontonians and the City of Toronto. To thank the City and the people who call it home, TIFF has partnered with the TTC again to give Torontonians more access to Festival films. On Saturday, September 14 at 3pm, fans are invited to Roy Thomson Hall for the TTC Free Screening of a surprise TIFF ’24 Festival title. More details will be announced closer to the date.
FESTIVAL STREET PARTNER ACTIVATIONS (September 5–14)
Rogers Red Carpet VIP Experience - As the new official first stop on the red carpet during TIFF, Rogers customers will get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience all the red carpet glitz and glamour, celebrity interviews and must-see fashion at Roy Thomson Hall. The multi-level elevated viewing space will feature movie snacks and an exclusive Rogers red carpet to catch the festival’s biggest stars up close and personal.
RBC Red Carpet Gallery — One of the most coveted destinations for celebrity spotting during TIFF, Avion Rewards members will have access to an exclusive viewing experience of the world’s biggest stars arriving to their Gala premieres on the Roy Thomson Hall red carpet. The activation will feature interactive elements, including a fun photo booth experience in which each guest stars in their own movie poster.
Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre — Offering an unforgettable, star-studded experience at the Visa Screening Room, Visa Infinite cardholders will enjoy exclusive perks such as priority line access, and entry to the Visa Infinite Lounge. Now in its third year, the Visa Sharing the Screen program will continue to advance equity for communities by providing unparalleled access to films, engaging creator talks, and more.
Campari Red Carpet Lounge on the Gala Red Carpet — As a first-of-its-kind at TIFF, there will be a fully immersive bar on the Gala red carpet for filmmakers and talent before their World Premieres. Pre-screening toasts and conversations can be viewed live in the South Fan Zone on the red carpet at Roy Thomson Hall.
TIFF Fan Zone presented by SHINGRIX — Festival-goers can get closer to their favourite stars in the TIFF Fan Zone at the Gala Red Carpet, presented by new partner, SHINGRIX.
Lavazza Festival Village Experience — Step into Lavazza’s immersive photo booth, grab a sample of their Qualita Oro coffee, and enjoy exclusive giveaways (while supplies last). Plus, enter for a chance to win a year’s supply of Lavazza coffee.
OVO X 1 LOVE T.O — OVO x 1 LOVE T.O. fosters community unity in Toronto and will be hosting live sessions and merchandise sales in support of the TIFF Every Story Fund, supporting equity, inclusion, and diversity in film.
House of Peroni Nastro Azzurro — Experience the best of Italian hospitality with Peroni Nastro Azzurro lager, and gourmet bites by celebrity chef David Rocco at the House of Peroni Nastro Azzurro. All proceeds from any purchases made beyond a complimentary sample will be donated to the TIFF Every Story Fund.
Say Ciao to Cravings with Pizza Nova — Drop by this booth to enjoy some freshly prepared and full of flavour pizza!
TIFF Scavenger Hunt (September 6–8) — In partnership with the Toronto Downtown West BIA, TIFF presents an exciting Festival Street Scavenger Hunt! Enter for the chance to win a host of prizes including movie tickets, TIFF merchandise, and more goodies.
LISTERINE (TIFF Lightbox) — LISTERINE plays a starring role at TIFF, transforming restroom mirrors into your very own movie poster. Get ready for your closeup, showcase your best swish, and enter the spotlight.
TIFF’s Festival Street Art Market in Partnership with Toronto Film School — In partnership with Toronto Film School, Toronto’s local film festivals and arts organizations will have booths sharing art exhibits, programming information, and more. Featuring 11 of the city’s most exciting community film festivals and arts organisations including Toronto Film School, Inside Out Film Festival, REEL ASIAN Film Festival, imagineNATIVE, OCAD, Luminato Festival, Regent Park Film Festival, Muse Arts, Toronto Latin American Film Festival, REEL CANADA and Workman Arts. Check them out on King Street (West Zone) and Simcoe Street (East Zone)!
TIFF Founders’ Lounge presented by Air France (TIFF Lightbox) — Step into elegance at the Founders’ Lounge presented by Air France. Take in the buzz and excitement of the Festival while enjoying fine food and drinks. Whether you’re networking, people watching, or relaxing between screenings, the Founders’ Lounge presented by Air France is where to be.
