How to watch movies at TIFF 2012 (note: the process has changed)
Toronto may become a chaotic mess of celebrities, parties and wheeling and dealing during TIFF, but there are also many actual movies to watch. Buying and getting tickets to all the films you want to see has always been taxing, but TIFF is hoping to make the process a bit easier this year. Movie selection is moving online for all “My Choice” ticket packages (on sale beginning June 25 for TIFF members and July 9 for the public), and for the first time ever, buyers can purchase up to four tickets per screening, per membership. (Although, this kind of bulk buying could lead to problems with scalping, we’d imagine.) The Festival Box Office will open on August 21, and TIFF 2012 runs from September 6 to 16.
New Packages
All ticket pricing is available at TIFF.net.
Six Premium Ticket Pack
This new package offers six tickets to premium screenings (up to four tickets per screening).
Flex Packs
Ticket buyers can customize their ticket package, choosing anywhere from 20 to 100 tickets in increments of 10.
Premium Sampler
Selected by festival programmers, this package includes three premium screenings at any of the red-carpet venues.
Contemporary World Cinema
This package features five films from the festival’s Contemporary World Cinema program. Films in this package feature an extended filmmaker question-and-answer period.
Key Dates
August 23 to 26
My Choice package ticket selection window for TIFF members
August 26 to 29
My Choice package ticket selection window for non-members
August 30 to 31
Single tickets on sale to TIFF Patrons Circle Members (according to member level)
September 1
Tiff.net launches its new service, which allows buyers to see what single tickets are still available.
September 2
Single tickets à la carte are available for purchase beginning at 10 a.m.
September 6 to 16
TIFF 2012
Improvements, yay!
Worst idea ever to get rid of the venue-specific packages. For years, we have attended the Festival and after determining which venue we preferred, were always happy to buy the packages to enable us to see a variety of films, including both regular and premium screenings as well as hollywood and foreign film choices, at a venue that is accessible and worthwhile. After researching the new ticket system, we opted to go for the premium screening package as it was the only option that guaranteed most films we would be able to see at our preferred venue – only to log in this morning and discover that all premium packages were sold out to members in June! I have always supported TIFF throughout the year (through small donations, regularly attending Lightbox exhibits and shows, etc) but my mind is now quickly changing. It was frustrating enough dealing with their website issues year after year but now to not even have the option to buy tickets as a non-member? I thought this was a charitable organization meant to promote film among the public as well as the wealthy donors and industry professionals. Not sure if this is a cash grab or if the festival is seeking to cater to members only, but for such a large festival that has run for so many years, the common sense among organizers is clearly lacking.