Jess Blackwell –
For many filmmakers, the highlight of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is its five-day industry conference featuring numerous panels and mixers. But my experience wasn’t so positive. As an environmentalist, I was disappointed by TIFF’s unpreparedness to address sustainability concerns.
While collecting my ID badge, I spoke to four representatives, but none knew whether there was a water refill station or an organics bin at its two industry locations, the Hyatt Regency and the Canadian Broadcasting Centre (CBC). And no one I spoke to knew how TIFF was promoting sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint.
I discovered that the CBC had a water refill station, but delegates weren’t notified of this. When I asked TIFF staff at the Hyatt to direct me to a recycling bin, I was told that only garbage cans were available. And through the festival’s partnership with the Italian coffee company Lavazza, single-use cups were abundant.
As a filmmaker, I also endured registration and scheduling problems, poor customer service, unimpressive panels and crowded mixers. Guests were prohibited from bringing outside food and drink into the CBC, with bag checks being conducted. Because few foods were provided for those with dietary restrictions, the events were not fully inclusive or accessible.
After learning from other delegates that these are recurring issues, a colleague and I headed to the Industry Centre to give feedback in person. But no one knew whom to contact. A floater volunteer sent us to the information table, the information table sent us to the registration office, and the registration office sent us to the press office. There, a staff member instructed us to email TIFF.
TIFF states that it is committed to fostering “an environment of constructive and respectful dialogue.” But after following up repeatedly by email, we were told that the team is “incredibly small” and doesn’t “have the bandwidth to connect with each delegate 1-on-1.” The representative asked me to send my comments and questions by email, but I still have not received a reply to my queries, nor has the press office responded. After seven weeks of following up, I received word that a senior manager would be in touch to schedule a conversation.
This isn’t the first time the festival, which receives a third of its funding from government sources, has been called out regarding its commitment to social and environmental justice.
In 2023, more than 200 industry members, including Hollywood celebrities, launched an open letter encouraging TIFF to reconsider its relationship with the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), one of the world’s leading financiers of fossil fuels. This movement, called RBC Off Screen, aims to bring TIFF’s actions in line with its reported social commitments and the progressive values of the filmmaking community. Given that pollution and climate change disproportionately affect racialized communities and other marginalized populations, environmental justice is also social justice. RBC Off Screen’s concerns remain unaddressed, and its open letter remains active.
Employee reviews on Glassdoor.com hint at a behind-the-scenes turmoil that might explain TIFF’s questionable customer service: With an overall rating of 2.7 out of 5, only 21 percent of reviewers would recommend the company to a friend, with some employees complaining of a toxic work environment and lack of effective direction from management.
But a Canadian Business article released earlier this year highlights a deeper issue: TIFF’s general lack of accountability. “The organization holds the entire film industry so tightly in its grasp that it can’t be held to account,” it says.
Fortunately, some festivals hold themselves to higher standards. Toronto’s 2024 Reelworld Film Festival + Summit provided a better example of accountability in action.
The summit’s commitment to sustainability was evident: reusable mugs, glasses, dishware, utensils and napkins were provided, and a recycling bin (but not an organics bin) was visible in the dining area. The food served was more inclusive, with ample vegetarian and vegan options on the first day and some options on the second. Reelworld staff were ever-present and responsive to questions.
Communications director Pahull Bains responded to my initial queries within 24 hours and confirmed that Reelworld actively minimizes its use of single-use cups, bottles and cutlery. It reuses its press wall banners and doesn’t use printed materials at events.
While subsequent replies were a bit slower, the Reelworld Summit was nevertheless a glimpse of what a more sustainable and accountable festival could look like. It is my hope that with further encouragement from the community, TIFF will adopt similar practices.
Concerned TIFF patrons can contact customerrelations@ tiff.net, while film industry members can support RBC Off Screen at www.actionnetwork. org/groups/rbc-off-screen
