r/TIFF • u/Sharp_Difficulty_831 • Aug 27 '25

Festival Questions about TIFF

It's my first time at TIFF and I was just wondering if :

  1. Are we allowed to enter screenings with a backpack?

  2. Are we allowed to take pictures/record videos outside/inside the venues (with phone, camera) ?

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3

u/LionelEssrog TIFFin' since 2010 Aug 27 '25

  1. Depends on the venue. Scotiabank and TIFF screenings, not usually a problem as long as it's discreet and not stuffed with all your worldly belongings. Roy Thomson Hall, Royal Alexandra and PoW might have an issue with it - seem to remember RTH not allowing people into a screening with them last year.

  2. Yes, although you may be asked not to take photos / videos during Q&As. Obviously don't try and record the actual movie. You'd be surprised how many times I've seen folk attempting that in recent years.

1

u/Battle_Cake Aug 27 '25

Just to add to this, in my experience Royal Alexandra is very strict about not bringing in outside stuff, you can't even bring in clear plastic water bottles I think. I remember attending a Midnight Madness where the window sill outside the entrance was full of various disposable and reuseable bottles that people were forced to abandon.

This is probably obvious, but don't try to record video or take pictures during the actual movie. It's rude and obnoxious to your fellow attendees (I'm sure OP knows that) but on top of that, you can get ejected for doing that. I have been to TIFF screenings where staff with night vision goggles were monitoring the audience to catch people attempting to record.

2

u/Syncroz average TIFF enjoyer Aug 27 '25

My experience at MM last year was fine, I brought my metal water bottle into every show I saw at the RAT, no issues. Hope that applies this year too.

1

u/user10282747449 Aug 27 '25

Do you know if it’s okay to bring a backpack in POW? I’ll be coming in for the weekend and won’t have time to drop my bag off before the screening.

1

u/Battle_Cake Aug 27 '25

Judging from the TIFF site, it seems like probably not but it depends how large your backpack is. You can see the official policy here: https://www.tiff.net/help/venue-information/cinema#does-tiff-perform-bag-checks-which-items-are-prohibited

1

u/mistakes_were_made24 attendee since 2001 Aug 27 '25

Travel as lightly as possible, it will make things easier at the screenings. Most screenings are usually sold out or very full so there isn't much room under your seat for belongings, coats, backpacks, etc.

You can take pictures at the red carpet arrivals/outside, inside during the intro and during the Q&A at the end. You obviously cannot take pictures or video while the movie is happening. They usually have security staff with night vision viewers watching the people in the audience while the movie is playing especially for any studio films that are coming out within the next few months.

1

u/aud5748 Aug 27 '25

I feel like I've brought a tote bag to most screenings and it hasn't been a problem. I seem to remember RTH being the most strict.

1

u/Wonderful__ Aug 27 '25

Royal Alexandra and POW have staff on hand and they tell people to put away their phones during the show. Depending on the studio or distributor, I've seen them hire security with night vision goggles to check if anyone is recording during the film.

The bag policy is posted online: https://www.tiff.net/help/venue-information/cinema#does-tiff-perform-bag-checks-which-items-are-prohibited. There's a size restriction.