Our Mission

As a cultural charity, TIFF is more than an 11-day Festival; TIFF is committed to bringing the power of film to life, 365 days a year.

Over the years TIFF has been a part of the lives of Torontonians and film aficionandos around the world. Beginning as the “Festival of Festivals" in 1976, TIFF collected the best films from other film festivals around the world and showcased them to eager audiences in Toronto. Renamed the Toronto International Film Festival in 1995, the Festival maintained its popularity through the unique combination of two parallel festivals; one for a large audience passionate about film and one for the world's press and industry.

In 2010, TIFF opened it's year-round venue: TIFF Bell Lightbox. As a first in-class arts hub, TIFF Bell Lightbox transcends brick and mortar. It is a beacon whose glow lights the path filmlovers and for challenging voices that might otherwise go unheard. 2020 marked the launch of digital TIFF Bell Lightbox to bring the content, the conversations, and the community of TIFF to our audiences at home. By shifting programming online, TIFF continues to bring the best of film across Canada and showcase the best of Canadian filmmaking to the world.

However, TIFF has been financially impacted by the ongoing effect of the global health crisis. With enhanced support, TIFF will continue to uphold artistic excellence, embody its commitment to cinema through reimagined offerings, invest in the future of film, and unleash the power of unrepresented storytellers.

About TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival Inc)

As a multi-faceted cultural organization, TIFF provides a myriad of programming for all to enjoy. These programmes include: The Toronto International Film Festival, digital TIFF Bell Lightbox, TIFF Cinematheque, TIFF Next Wave, Film Circuit, The Film Reference Library, Reel Talk, Canada's Top Ten and TIFF Industry.

TIFF believes that everyone should be able to see themselves fully and authentically represented on screen. To lead a path toward seeing this work on-screen, TIFF has created the Share Her Journey movement to champion women in film, media inclusion initiatives, and intensified an overall commitment to diversity both in front of behind the camera.

TIFF seeks to engage people of all ages, backgrounds and interests, to ignite in them the appreciation and passion TIFF possess for the moving image. As such, TIFF is committed to creating free accessible programming for everyone throughout the year to ensure that cost is not a barrier to participation and has extensive outreaches to under-served communities.

To this end, TIFF continues to invest in new platforms and programmes as a way to reimagine the future of the filmgoing experience. TIFF has always been proud to preserve film’s heritage for generations to come.

TIFF remains committed to educating and broadening audiences adding to the cultural richness of Canada’s community.