TIFF provides youth under 25 with many discounted and free opportunities to engage in the world of cinema
By: Sarah Grishpul
Patrons wait outside Toronto’s TIFF Bell Lightbox theatre on Oct. 29, 2022. Young film fans eagerly discuss Park Chan-Wook’s latest film, Decision to Leave as they leave the matinee screening. (Sarah Grishpul/CanCulture)
That’s a wrap! The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has closed its curtains, the celebrities have flown back to Hollywood and the streets of our city’s entertainment district have returned to their typical hustle and bustle.
Yet TIFF still has so much to offer. The non-profit organization hosts year-round screenings dedicated to highlighting international and Canadian cinema. Although the film circuit has ended, TIFF still curates events, workshops and screenings for local cinephiles to attend during the off-season.
TIFF Under-25 Free Pass
Take it from someone who works at a cinema: going to the movies is expensive.
I’ve been attending TIFF events for around two years now, and the costs have always been the biggest deterrent for how many screenings I attend. Each year is always a vicious battle to snag tickets, as TIFF seats tend to fill up faster than the speed of sound.
While TIFF offers student discounts, those looking to immerse themselves in independent cinema on a budget may be interested in obtaining a subscription instead.
In March, TIFF announced they would be offering young film fans special membership discounts with the Under-25 Free Pass. According to a TIFF media release, the intention was to make the festival and its year-round programming more accessible for Canadian youth.
The pass also grants youth access to member-exclusive ticket pre-sales, where students can save 25 per cent off tickets for year-round TIFF events and screenings. Those who missed out or couldn’t afford tickets to this year’s festivities can now attend screenings of official festival selections such as Decision to Leave, Holy Spider and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.
Those who sign up will be automatically subscribed to the TIFF Weekly newsletter, where contests and invitations to special events will be made available. Members receive promotional codes and can obtain free or discounted tickets to yearly screenings at the TIFF Bell Lightbox.
Under-25 members also receive 15 per cent off concessions and items at the gift shop, as well as gain exclusive access to the Bell Blue Room Members’ Lounge.
TIFF Cinematheque
Aside from scoring discounted movie tickets, Under-25 pass holders can attend free (that’s right, free) TIFF Cinematheque screenings.
Established in 1990, TIFF Cinematheque (previously known as Cinematheque Ontario) is a yearly program committed to sharing the art of film. The organization’s team of programmers curates a selection of contemporary, international and rare archival cinema that is often left untouched by mainstream theatre chains.
With screenings of over 200 films, students can enjoy these underrated gems of film history on the big screen after nearly decades have passed. Often for Cinematheque screenings, TIFF will host reruns of past festival selections, iconic pop culture hits, cult classics and international cinema. Some of the Cinematheque collections this year include To Sidney, With Love, Boosie Fade Film Club, Lost and Beautiful: New Italian Cinema.
Under-25 pass holders can access free tickets to screenings such as a 4K restoration of RoboCop (Director’s Cut), Nordic noirs like Headhunters, cult classics such as B*A*P*S and many more.
TIFF Next Wave Film Festival
Programmed for teens by teens, the TIFF Next Wave Film Festival offers free (again, free) movie screenings for anyone under 25 years old. This event is open to all youth, regardless of whether they signed up for the Under-25 Pass.
The festival is curated by a group of young film enthusiasts across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) tasked with planning youth-oriented events at TIFF. According to a TIFF media release, the intention behind Next Wave is to make cinema and film discourse accessible to youth and highlight the work of young filmmakers.
During the festival, students can take advantage of a diverse selection of independent movies, attend workshops with emerging creators and industry professionals and engage with a community of fellow young film fans.
Aside from the official festival selections, students can partake in the annual Movie Marathons, Battle of the Scores and Young Creator Co-Labs at an additional discounted cost.
While the lineup and dates for next year’s festival have yet to be announced, this is certainly an event you do not want to miss!
That’s a wrap!
I highly encourage students interested in experiencing films outside of Hollywood to take advantage of these offers, as attending these events is a great way to explore a diverse range of voices and perspectives through cinema.
With big-budget American blockbusters crowding the marketplace, it’s become difficult for foreign-language and indie films to be widely distributed. These films are free from the restraints of the box office and are driven by artistic inspiration rather than profit. Audiences can become immersed in a culture or a perspective away from a Western lens.
So, I implore you to take advantage of the opportunities to engage with what TIFF has to offer. After all, film deserves to be accessible to all.