Toronto’s Biggest Block Party Is Back for Four Days of Free Films, Music, and Very Special Guests

For a sixth year, the Toronto International Film Festival ® takes the film experience from inside the theatre onto the street, inviting everyone to be a part of the excitement with Festival Street. September 5 through 8, King Street West between Peter Street and University Avenue will transform into the block party of the year with engaging activations, special performances, patios, and food trucks featuring cuisine from all over the world — open for all to enjoy.

“Festival Street is an accessible and inclusive way we can share our passion for film with the city we call home,” said Cameron Bailey, TIFF Artistic Director and Co-Head. “We invite all of Toronto to come join the fun. Stop by King Street during TIFF’s opening weekend to catch a free movie screening, listen to some live music, relax on one of the patios, or engage with one of the many activities along the street.”

“This September we invite everyone to join us on Festival Street where we take our passion for film onto the streets,” said Jennifer Barkin, Lead Programmer for Special Events, and Festival Street. “Festival Street is really a place to meet and connect with other Festival goers and an opportunity for everyone in the City to take in the amazing energy over opening weekend.”

Torontonians and the City of Toronto are an integral part of TIFF and the Festival. Quite simply, Festival Street would not exist without their tremendous support. To say thank you to the city and the people who call it home, TIFF has once again partnered with the TTC to give Torontonians more access to Festival films. Brand ambassadors will hit King Street on the morning of September 5 to hand out thousands of vouchers for Festival films and year-round screenings at TIFF Bell Lightbox to passersby.

On Sunday, September 8 at 12pm, the public is invited to Roy Thomson Hall for the TTC Free Screening of a Festival title, which will be announced through TIFF’s social channels the evening prior. Please note that the TTC Free Screening is first-come, first-served to those with a PRESTO card or TTC transfer.

Films by trailblazing female filmmakers make up Festival Street’s nightly screening schedule, including Amy Heckerling’s romantic comedy Look Who’s Talking; Lone Scherfig’s charming coming-of-age tale An Education, which played TIFF 2009; Gurinder Chadha’s Bollywood adaptation of a Jane Austin classic, Bride and Prejudice and Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut, Whip It, with a very special onstage introduction by Ellen Page. Screenings will be preceded by excerpts from !Toronto, a non-linear and generative exploration of Toronto on film by Dave Kemp, in collaboration with Alexandra Anderson. The project overlays film scenes shot in Toronto onto a map, questioning what the representations of Toronto mean within the discourse of Canadian cinema and identity.

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT

Festival Street reaches new heights with the OLG Dream Deck, located on the rooftop of TIFF Bell Lightbox. The space will feature intimate conversations, as well as panels with key filmmakers and creators who are making waves in the industry right now.

Several notable guests will be in attendance throughout the event. Director, writer, producer, and actor Amy Jo Johnson will give a behind-the-scenes look at her dynamic career — from Pink Power Ranger to director of TIFF ’19 Official Selection Tammy’s Always Dying. Internationally renowned talent Gael García Bernal will discuss his work and his approach to roles, both in front of and behind the camera. Composing trio Blitz//Berlin will discuss how they bring images to life through their unique sound. The Australian Dream director Daniel Gordon will shine a light on sports hero and Indigenous-rights activist Adam Goodes. Endings, Beginnings filmmaker Drake Doremus and lead actor Shailene Woodley will talk about the art of collaboration.

Tickets for the OLG Dream Deck are free. They can be redeemed as of August 31 for Members, and September 2 for the public, available while quantities last. For full lineup details, visit tiff.net/olgdreamdeck.

MUSICAL PERFORMANCES

Audiences can tune in to nightly musical performances on the Slaight Music Stage, featuring singer-songwriter Sam Drysdale, singer Kayla Diamond, award-winning singer-songwriter Tomi Swick, and Toronto ensemble Long Branch. Audiences are in for a treat with a special performances on Thursday, September 5 by Six Nations/Kahnawake band Attic Ramblers. And on Sunday, September 8, Andrée Levesque Sioui will take the stage, accompanied by Acadian pianist Rachel Aucoin. For full lineup details, visit tiff.net/festival-street-2019.

The 44th Toronto International Film Festival runs September 5–15, 2019.

Festival Street Map

Festival tickets go on sale September 2 at 10am (TIFF Member pre-sale August 31, 10am–4pm). Buy tickets online at tiff.net, by phone at 416.599.2033 or 1.888.258.8433, or in person at a box office. See box office locations and hours at tiff.net/tickets.

About TIFF

TIFF is a not-for-profit 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 Ontario, Telefilm Canada, and the City of Toronto.