Thriller Night: Halloween boombox Brings Toronto’s Wickedest Costume Party to TIFF Bell Lightbox

Darkness falls on TIFF Bell Lightbox as boombox, TIFF’s annual fundraising event, returns October 25 . A cinema by day, the Lightbox will re-awaken at night as the ultimate house of horrors for Toronto’s wickedest party. Drawing inspiration from classic horror films, the building will be transformed into the ultimate Halloween destination. You’re invited to celebrate Halloween with an array of bloodcurdling terrors and delights, including headlining DJs Kardinal Offishall and Cipha Sounds, music, art, culinary concoctions, and immersive experiences (watch out for the zombie attacks!).

Funds raised at boombox will go towards supporting TIFF and Share Her Journey, TIFF’s five-year commitment to increasing participation, skills, and opportunities for women behind and in front of the camera. Don’t forget to dress up! The winner of this year’s costume contest will win an extra special prize.

Creative producer Kyle Kofsky has curated a one-of-a-kind experience for boombox, bringing classic Halloween favourites to life for all to enjoy. There’s no telling what manner of creature might await when you enter the party. Start off with When Birds Attack, an art installation and soundscape inspired by one of Hitchcock’s most notable works, The Birds. Next, bring your best moves to the dance floor as Toronto legend Kardinal Offishall and DJ Cipha Sounds provide the tunes for boombox’s massive atrium dance floor. Ready to join the zombie apocalypse? Experience the end of the world with the immersive experience Dawn of the Dead: Toronto, taking place at the loading docks. Recharge with an onsite food truck, but be sure not to let your guard down. The zombies could be back at any time!

House of Horrors promises funhouse thrills with a Vincent Price touch. Guests will start by getting lost in the expansive maze of mirrors before entering a vintage horrorscape of black and white. The experience culminates in a spook-tacular cage match between notorious vintage monsters like Dracula and She-Wolf.

Feed your Halloween fantasy as some of Toronto’s top queens bring glamorous Halloween realness to boombox. Join Priyanka, Tynomi Banks, Jada Hudson, Sapphire Titha Reign, and Allysin Chaynes as they take the stage for Lip Sync for Your Death. These queens of drag will show everyone how it’s done, and give guests a chance to step up and perform. Who better to learn from than the experts themselves?

If the extraterrestrial are more your bag, be sure to swing by Luma for an Alien Encounter. Dance up a storm with The Ripleys, a one-night-only musical ensemble made up of some of Toronto’s best emerging musicians... who all happen to be dressed like Ripley from the 1979 sci-fi classic Alien!

Classic Hollywood fans can channel the spirits of dearly departed celebrities during the Celebrity Seance. Still have questions for Marilyn, Elizabeth, or James? Onsite mediums will help you get answers to your most burning questions. Once guests have gotten their daily dose of the undead, they can top off their Halloween costume with a trip to The Coven, a most witchy makeup collective. Guests can complete their transformation with frightful makeup effects and even see Nosferatu come to life.

Tickets to boombox are $175 for the public and $125 for youth 25 and under. Doors open at 9pm. Guests are encouraged to dress in their most innovative and fun Halloween costumes for the chance to win a special prize. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit tiff.net/boombox or call 416-599-TIFF (8433) or 1-888-599-8433.

About TIFF

TIFF is a charitable cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world through film. An international leader in film culture, TIFF projects include the annual Toronto International Film Festival in September; TIFF Bell Lightbox, which features five cinemas, major exhibitions, and learning and entertainment facilities; and innovative national distribution program Film Circuit. The organization generates an annual economic impact of $189 million CAD. TIFF Bell Lightbox is generously supported by contributors including Founding Sponsor Bell, the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada, the City of Toronto, the Reitman family (Ivan Reitman, Agi Mandel and Susan Michaels), The Daniels Corporation and RBC. For more information, visit tiff.net.

TIFF is generously supported by Lead Sponsor Bell, Major Sponsors RBC, L’Oréal Paris, and Visa, and Major Supporters the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the City of Toronto.