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Toronto International Film Festival - Visitors Guide

By Jane McLean, About.com

Toronto International Film Festival 2008 (TIFF '08) Overview:

The Toronto International Film Festival, Sept 4 - 13, 2008, has grown to be one of the most important cinematic events in the world and attracts Hollywood's biggest stars.

The Toronto festival has a reputation as a moviegoer's event in that it allows the public access to films in a way no other festival of its stature does.

Whether you're into Hollywood blockbusters or obscure indies, the TIFF delivers. Don't think you will get a ticket? Chances are, you will.

Premium Tickets :

Premium tickets are gala screenings at Roy Thomson Hall and Visa Screening Room events at the Elgin Theatre. Gala tickets are the most in-demand as they are high-profile, star-studded events.

Gala ticket sales begin August 23, 2008, at 10 am

Premium tickets can be ordered online, by phone at 416-968-FILM or toll-free at 1-877-968-FILM or in person at the TIFF Box Office at Manulife Centre starting at 10 am on August 23, at Toronto Life Square as of August 26 or at the Festival Box Office at Roy Thomson Hall as of September 3.

Regular Tickets:

Tickets to all TIFF screenings are available starting Sept 3, 2008, online, by phone at 416-968-FILM or in person at the TIFF Box Office at Manulife Centre, 55 Bloor Street West (main floor, north entrance), Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm. Tickets can be ordered until 7 pm the night before a screening.

To pick up your tickets visit the Festival Box Office locations or the Theatre Box Office where your first film is being screened. If you are picking up tickets at the theater, please do so at least one hour prior to screening time.

Limit of four tickets, per screening, per person.

Same Day Tickets:

If a screening is not sold out, any remaining tickets will be made available online, by phone at 416-968-FILM, toll-free at 1-877-968-FILM or in person at the TIFF box offices at Manulife Centre, Toronto Life Square, or Roy Thomson Hall.

Tickets are also available at the Theatre Box Office beginning 1 hour prior to first screening of the day.

Tickets for screenings that were previously unavailable may become available on the day of the screening.

Limit of four tickets, per screening, per person.

Rush Tickets:

When advance tickets are sold out, a rush line forms outside the theatre.

Get to the theater at least an hour before screening time. Don't be deterred by long lines; maybe everyone is not waiting for the same tickets.

If seats become available, a theatre representative may allow people from the Rush Line to purchase tickets, or exchange an appropriate pass or coupon to gain admittance.

Passes and Coupons:

Though tickets sell out quickly, a wide range of Toronto International Film Festival passes and coupons are available every year, including Family Passes, Globetrotter Pass, etc.

Important Dates for TIFF '08:

July 7
  • Box Office opens for Ticket Packages at 10 am, Visa only.

  • July 14
  • Ticket Packages available, Visa, debit and cash.

  • August 19
  • Complete film list available online as of 3 pm.
  • Gala and Visa Screening Room films online at 3 pm.

  • August 23
  • Gala and Visa Screening Room tickets available as of 10 am, Visa, debit and cash.

  • August 26
  • Festival Box Office at Toronto Life Square opens; Programme Book and Official Film Schedule available at 9 am.
  • Full schedule online at 10 am.

  • September 3
  • All tickets on sale as of 7 am.
  • Festival Box Office at Roy Thomson Hall opens at 7 am.
  • Where to Eat During the Toronto International Film Festival - Find Restaurants:

    Restaurants to check out during the Toronto International Film Festival

    Hotels Near the Toronto International Film Festival - Find Places to Stay:

    Be sure to book early. Toronto hotels fill up early during the Toronto International Film Festival.

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