TIFF has unveiled its first-ever market program, which boasts several initiatives aimed at activating film and series projects from development to financing to sales.
The seven-day industry sidebar, called TIFF: The Market, is scheduled to run from September 10th to 16th in parallel with the Toronto International Film Festival. Introducing our creative development lab for directors, screenwriters, and series creators. International financing and project markets. Innovation hub and IP exchange. There will also be a multi-day speaker summit and dedicated pitch stage.
The market initiative, supported by a C$23 million ($16.6 million) investment from the Government of Canada and support from Telefilm Canada, underscores TIFF’s ambition to expand its industry footprint.
“A robust creative pipeline is essential to maintaining audience interest and moving the industry forward,” said Charles Tremblay, a Canadian distribution veteran who joined TIFF as market director. “These programs give creators direct access to decision-makers while helping them hone their skills and prepare their projects for the global market.” Tremblay has more than 20 years of business experience and knows the industry inside out, having previously co-founded Metropole Film Distribution and worked at Mobi.
The Director’s Lab helps filmmakers prepare their first feature, and the Writer’s Lab offers workshops, table readings, peer mentorship, and one-on-one consultation to help budding screenwriters hone their scripts. Meanwhile, Series Creators Lab targets premium episodic projects that focus on Canadian teams from underrepresented communities.
On the financing side, the International Finance and Projects Market, offered in partnership with Ontario Creates, brings together financiers and established producers to track past financings across the film, television and other storytelling industries.
The market will also lean towards cross-media and emerging formats through innovation hubs showcasing XR and interactive storytelling. It also includes IP exchanges designed to connect publishing, gaming and immersive media rights holders with film and series producers and studios.
“Our years of investment in creative development have propelled emerging talent and unique stories to heights of global success,” said Jeff McNaughton, vice president of market programming and theater. “Our goal is to continue bridging the gap between creative vision and commercial viability by delivering great projects across traditional and new media platforms.”
The event will award a series of grants, awards, and fellowships, especially to underrepresented creators. These include the Sloan Science & Technology Writers’ Fellowship, a C$35,000 grant supporting featured projects focused on science and technology, and the Sloan Science & Technology Project Pitch, which comes with a $15,000 cash prize. The TIFF-CBC Screenwriting Award is also back, offering $15,000 and mentorship opportunities to support Canadian screenwriting talent.
“We look forward to working with our partners at TIFF to once again share this award with Canadian screenwriters and help them bring their visions to life on screen,” said Gosia Camera, CBC Head of Film. “For nearly a decade, the TIFF-CBC Screenwriters Awards has helped exciting talent share their stories and build their careers.” Market registration is scheduled to open April 8th.
