Rumour has TIFF getting its own Palme d’Or

Is the Toronto International Film Festival about to get its own version of the Palme d’Or?

That’s the rumour going around the Cannes Film Festival, which is in the midst of its annual race for the gold.

Le Film Français, a respected industry journal, ran a short item in Tuesday’s edition headlined, “A Competition For Toronto?”

“According to several sources, the Toronto International Film Festival will open a competitive section of the next edition. This would concern international films,” the magazine said.

No sources were named and the item said no one from TIFF would confirm or deny the rumour, which was also the case when the Star contacted a TIFF official.

If true, it would represent a major change of attitude by TIFF, which has long said it doesn’t like the competitions at Cannes and other fests because they focus too much attention on too few movies.

The reference to “international” films in Le Film Français item might represent a compromise. TIFF could have a prize race for films in its large Contemporary World Cinema or Special Presentations programs, while leaving the big-ticket Gala program out of the race, although many foreign films are also programmed for the galas.

TIFF reportedly plans to make some kind of announcement shortly. Peter Howell