Calling all film lovers! Mark your calendars. The Toronto International Film Festival, or TIFF, is back for its 50th edition this September. Discover films like no other. Here's everything you need to know about this event.
What Is the Toronto International Film Festival?
The Toronto International Film Festival in Canada is one of the largest public film festivals in the world. The festival screens various films, from blockbuster world premieres to arthouse short films. The festival also includes special events and talks with stars.
Many films from the festival go on to be nominated for the Academy Award, especially those that win the festival's "Toronto International Film Festival People's Choice Award." Slumdog Millionaire, La La Land, and The Imitation Game are just a few examples!
When Is the Toronto International Film Festival?
The Toronto International Film Festival usually lasts 11 days every September. The 50th Toronto International Film Festival will take place from September 4 to 14, 2025.
How Can I Attend the Toronto International Film Festival?
The festival is open to the public, meaning you can attend if you purchase tickets. General ticket sales start on August 25 this year. Consider joining as a member for earlier sales.
You can choose between premium and regular festival screenings. Premium screenings can include red carpet screenings, movie premieres, and audience Q&As, while regular screenings encompass the rest of the screenings.
Toronto International Film Festival Films
The festival announced five world premiere films that will be presented in September. The films are:
- The Captive by Alejandro Amenábar | Spain / Italy
- The Christophers by Steven Soderbergh | UK
- Good News by Sung-hyun Byun | South Korea
- Hedda by Nia DaCosta | USA
- Mile End Kicks by Chandler Levack | Canada
The full program will be available August 12th, 2025.
General Travel Tips
The easiest way to travel to Toronto, Canada, for the festival is usually by train or plane.
- Train: You'll arrive at Union Station in the heart of downtown Toronto.
- Plane: If you're flying in, you'll likely arrive at the Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
Here are a few things to keep in mind when traveling to the festival:
- Travel early: Planning a few buffer days before the festival begins will make it less stressful if there are any delays. It will also give you time to settle in and explore Toronto.
- Stay connected: If you're traveling from the US, you'll want to find a solution to stay connected in Canada. Airalo offers travel eSIMs that are simple to install and affordable.
- Pack essentials: Keep things like credit cards, travel documents, medication, phone chargers, and earplugs on you.
Accommodation & Transit
Events usually happen in downtown Toronto, so we recommend staying in that area. There are four ways to get to the TIFF Lightbox, the main hub:
- Subway: The closest station is the St. Andrew subway station on Line 1.
- Streetcar or bus: Take the King streetcar (Route 504) to the John St. stop.
- Trains: The TIFF Lightbox is a 15-minute walk from Union Station.
- Driving: You can take a taxi there or pay to park at Reitman Square Parking.
Note: We recommend checking your venue in advance, as not all screenings are held there.
Other Toronto Activities
To make the most of your time in Toronto, read our blog, The 20 Best Things to Do in Toronto, or follow our handy streamlined checklist below.
Enjoy the film festival and the city of Toronto while staying connected. With Airalo, you can:
- Save time: Download, install, and activate an eSIM from your smartphone.
- Save money: Get the best local rates for your destination.
- Have more options: Choose from a data-only plan or a data, text, and call plan.
FAQs
How does Airalo work? Airalo provides eSIMs that allow you to access mobile networks without needing a physical SIM card. Purchase an eSIM plan through the Airalo app, install it on your device, and start using data immediately.
How to activate Airalo eSIM? Activation is simple. After purchasing a plan, follow the instructions in the Airalo app to install the eSIM on your device. Once installed, it will activate automatically.
Is my phone compatible with Airalo eSIM? Airalo eSIMs are compatible with most modern smartphones. Check the list of compatible devices.
What if my Airalo eSIM isn't working? Airalo's customer support is available 24/7 to assist you. You can contact support through the app or website for immediate help.
