9 Toronto Film Festivals You Won’t Want To Miss

Toronto has become something of a cultural mecca for film festivals, hosting over 50 of them each year.

The purpose of film festivals is to attract potential buyers and distributors.

They are especially important for independent filmmakers to have the chance for their movie to be picked up and distributed to a larger market.

There are festivals that cater to almost every category and community. From large events to small local gatherings, there’s something for everyone.

Best Of The Best

With so many festivals, it can be difficult to narrow the field down to the ones that are the most worth your time, especially because every person has varied tastes.

Nonetheless, let’s take a look at the nine film festivals that are the best of the best:

– Toronto International Film Festival. The most popular and high-profile festival on the list, this festival brings nearly 300 movies to the city. It’s commonly known as a predictor for what films and actors are likely to be nominated for Academy Awards.

– Hot Docs. Exclusively featuring documentaries, this festival has a large following. The reasonable prices and free screenings for seniors and students make it a win.

– Toronto After Dark. If weird is your thing, you’ll love Toronto After Dark, with its focus on cult, sci-fi, and horror films. Discounts are available on Zombie Appreciation Day if you come dressed as one of the walking dead!

– Reel Asian Film Festival. Unique for more than just its focus on Asian films, this festival boasts art installations and some of the best parties around. It’s held over a six-day period each November.

– Toronto Jewish Film Festival. The films presented here view a wide variety of life experiences through a distinctly Jewish lens. A retrospective of Jewish entertainers of note is one of the most fascinating aspects of the festival. A free day for students is also a big draw.

– Planet in Focus. The changing climate is the focal point of the films presented at this festival. The films are primarily documentaries and experimental shorts. Free and discounted programming is available for schools and children.

– Cinefranco. French language cinema is the name of the game at Cinefranco. It features selections from French cinema around the world and begins with a youth event before the main festival.

– Images. This festival is an avant-garde and experimental display of video art. The films are innovative and the tone is all about pushing boundaries.

– Open Roof Festival. Films, music, and food are the focus of this laid-back festival. Movies are screened once a week, beginning in June and running through the month of August. What really makes it unique is the live band performances and food truck offerings that accompany each of the screenings.

Film festivals are a fantastic way to gain exposure to a wide variety of films, cultures, and movements, usually at a cost that is comparable to a trip to the theater to see a movie, but involves so much more!