Drive-in screenings, open-air theatres: How TIFF is adapting to the new normal

During the
ongoing pandemic, hosting a major film festival can be a task. The 2020 version
of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has somehow managed to
overcome all the safety hindrances to offer physically distanced screenings of
the best movies through the open-air venue, drive-ins, and its maiden foray into a
digital platform.

The 45th
edition of North America’s largest film event will continue for ten days, but
with the changes forced upon it by the novel coronavirus.

As TIFF’s
Artistic Director and Co-Head Cameron Bailey said, “We began this year planning
for a 45th Festival much like our previous editions, but along the way, we had
to rethink just about everything. This year’s lineup reflects that tumult.”

Also read: TIFF 2020: Shawn Mendes to perform, Mira Nair to get Jeff Skoll Award

TIFF, along with
Cannes and Venice is considered among the three premier film festivals in the
world, and it has usually featured the largest selection, close to 400 films.

However,
this year we’ll be witnessing a pared-down slate, with 61 features, 36 shorts
and another 30 films that will be restricted to the industry to keep its
marketplace buzzing.