In a festive mood
What do global attendees love most about the Toronto International Film Festival and the city itself ? Celeste Percy-Beauregard asks three veterans
Last year, the city noticeably lacked the electric buzz usually created by cinephiles and stars coming together at the Toronto International Film Festival, as the pandemic pushed most of the screenings and events online. This year, TIFF (which runs until Sept. 18) welcomes locals and visitors back to in-person viewings, following COVID protocols. As movie buffs enthusiastically return to Toronto, three international TIFF veterans explain what they love most about the city.
Jenna Catto Bass; filmmaker, “Mlungu Wam (Good Madam)”; Cape Town, South Africa
“Firstly, getting to see my friend and frequent collaborator, Chinelo Onwualu, in person! Chinelo is an incredible sci-fi and fantasy writer in Toronto, and for the first decade of knowing her, we had never met physically. So I will always associate Toronto with finally getting to be in the same space with her. And then, Chinelo introduced me to Bakka-Phoenix (84 Harbord St.), a bookstore that specializes in speculative fiction from all over the world. Going there is beyond a treat, and makes my return-baggage considerably heavier. On my last visit, I was really thrilled to be able to learn more about Indigenous spec-fiction authors and pick up books I’d never be able to get hold of back home. It’s a bit overwhelming, but the staff there are extremely knowledgeable.”
Dan Loewy; executive vicepresident, Americas, international distribution, Entertainment One; Los Angeles
“Toronto is a world-class city. I love the instant kindness you feel the moment you step off the plane. Whether it’s a quick bite of the freshest sushi at standingonly Tachi (11 Richmond St. W.), the forever-great Bar Isabel (797 College St.), the best chocolate chip cookie from Le Gourmand (152 Spadina Ave.) or anything from Forno Cultura (609 King St.), Toronto really has it all.”
Kenny Santana; travel blogger; Jakarta, Indonesia
“When I first arrived at TIFF in 2015, the first thing that struck me were the people. I didn’t know how to get my bus ticket from the airport and didn’t have spare change, and I remember vividly the bus driver telling me to just hop in, aware that I was a first-timer to the city. TIFF is always about the people, and also how accessible everything is for the audience. From the ticketing to accommodations, food, walking distance to venues, public transportation — it seems the city was built to make everyone have a good time. I got one of the biggest moments in my life at TIFF in 2018, when I was hugged by Julia Roberts on stage. But that memory was made even better by the warmth of the audience. Being almost always by myself at TIFF has never been an issue, because Toronto ni ans make me feel like I’m right at home.”