The 2011 TIFF Season Has Begun

The first important press release of the year was issued back in May, when TIFF announced they will be adding a new venue: the Princess of Wales Theatre at 300 King Street West. TIFF will be "outfitting the Princess of Wales Theatre with a state-of-the-art projection and audio system for both film and digital cinema. We’ll be equipping the venue with the ability to play 35mm, DCP and HDCAM formats." It will be used for red carpet events during the first half of the fest.

But, to me, the TIFF season officially began yesterday yesterday:

Continuing its move southward, TIFF will open a new box office at Metro Hall (225 King Street West) and will no longer hold screenings at the Varsity. (Buy a 40 and pour some out, won't you?) It looks like all of the other venues will be the same as last year, with the Scotiabank again primarily hosting press and industry screenings. I'm glad to see Jackman Hall on the list and am hoping that means Wavelengths will be back there again.


TICKET PACKAGES
There are a few new "please help us fill all those empty seats" ticket packages:

TIFF CHOICE 5-Film Sampler Pack
Selected by TIFF programmers, this new package allows film lovers to experience films from a variety of Festival programmes.

MY CHOICE 20-Film Daytime
Enjoy 20 regular screenings beginning before 5:01 p.m.

Back Half Pack
Festival-goers can save 50 percent off the regular ticket price when they purchase this new 5-ticket pack, valid September 13 through to the end of the Festival.

And it looks like the old student discount has been reclassified for "film lovers 25 and under." Because those filthy-loaded grad students are always working the system.

IMPORTANT DATES

June 20:
TIFF Members can purchase ticket packages using Visa.

July 4:
Visa cardholders can order ticket packages online as of 10 a.m. ET. Visa Screening Room packages on sale.

Beginning July 11:
Ticket packages on sale for Visa, cash and debit purchases as of 10 a.m. ET.

August 23:
Festival Box Office at 225 King St. West opens. The Programme Book, Official Film Schedule and Advance Order Book, for selecting films within My Choice Packs, are available only at the Festival Box Office. The Film Schedule is available online at tiff.net/festival.

Aug 25 to 29:
Single tickets on sale to TIFF Members (based on giving levels).

August 29:
Completed Advance Order Books for My Choice Packs are due by 7 p.m. ET at the Festival Box Office for entry into the Advance Order Draw.

Beginning September 2:
Ticket package pick up and exchange begins.

Beginning September 3:
Single tickets à la carte are available for purchase beginning at 7 a.m. ET from the Festival Box Office, by phone at 416-599-TIFF or 1-888-599-8433, and online at tiff.net/festival (subject to availability).

September 8 to 18:
36th Toronto International Film Festival