Film For the Future

As the Toronto International Film Festival celebrates its 50th edition, CEO Cameron Bailey reflects on its roots, embraces the present and looks boldly to the future.

By Rosie Prata | Photography by George Pimentel

This September, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is celebrating its 50th edition—a milestone not only for Canadian culture, but also for the global film community. TIFF began in 1976 as the Festival of Festivals, screening international cinema for local audiences, and has evolved to become one of the most influential film events in the world for both industry types and ordinary cinephiles. From its early focus on public engagement to its cutting-edge industry initiatives today, TIFF has always, in the words of CEO Cameron Bailey, “focused not just on survival, but on thriving for future generations.”

“One of the most defining decisions in TIFF’s history was our focus on the audience experience from the very beginning,” says Bailey. “Unlike other major festivals that primarily served the industry, TIFF positioned itself as a public-facing festival, giving audiences access to world-class cinema and offering filmmakers direct engagement with real people.”

That audience-first mindset hasn’t just set TIFF apart; it’s made it magnetic. The festival’s famously enthusiastic crowds and democratic spirit led to the creation of the coveted People’s Choice Award, now presented by Rogers, a launchpad for Oscar-winning films. “We’ve always believed that great cinema should be for everyone, not just for industry insiders or critics,” says Bailey. “We’re recognized as the largest publicly attended film festival in the world.”

As the days get shorter, it’s also essential to have the proper outdoor lighting to make the most of evenings. “Maybe because of our winters, many Canadians don’t tend to put enough emphasis on their landscape lighting,” Naimer notes. “If done well, it greatly enhances a home’s curb appeal and makes a backyard so welcoming, even magical.”

A cardinal rule for outdoor lighting is to ensure that lighting isn’t glaring. “You want the bulb to illuminate a particular space away from people’s faces because in the dark, our eyes are always drawn to the brightest point,” Naimer says. “That’s why it’s essential to have the proper outdoor bulbs paired with the correct outdoor fixture.”

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Adam Driver

“We’ve always believed that great cinema should be for everyone, not just for industry insiders or critics. We’re recognized as the largest publicly attended film festival in the world.”

Oscar-winning films. “We’ve always believed that great cinema should be for everyone, not just for industry insiders or critics,” says Bailey. “We’re recognized as the largest publicly attended film festival in the world.”

This year, the celebrations are as expansive and reflective as TIFF’s history. Bailey has relished the opportunity to “take a walk down memory lane and sift through all 50 programme books” in the process of curating The TIFF Story in 50 Films, a retrospective he describes as both “nostalgic and inspiring.” The festival also recently hosted a TIFF50 Marquee event that toasted past and present staff with a special screening of The Princess Bride. “We’ve come such a long way, and it’s been a true privilege to have spent such a significant part of my career—and life—being part of this journey,” says Bailey.

Equally significant this year: TIFF’s induction into Canada’s Walk of Fame. “While our star may be the same size as the others that line King Street, its meaning is far greater,” he says, calling it a tribute to “thousands of contributions from TIFFers over the years” and to the loyal audiences who made it all possible.

“TIFF positioned itself as a public-facing festival, giving audiences access to world-class cinema, offering  filmmakers direct engagement with real people.”

A defining moment in TIFF’s growth came in 2010 with the opening of the TIFF Lightbox. “It marked a major milestone,” Bailey says. “We were no longer just renters of various venues; we had a space to call our own.” TIFF Lightbox enabled the festival to expand into year-round programming, artist development, education, and community engagement, cementing its place in Toronto’s cultural infrastructure.

That forward momentum continues with TIFF: The Market, a groundbreaking film industry hub set to launch in 2026. With federal support, the initiative will create new pathways for creators to pitch, sell, and distribute their work. “It’s a major step toward building a more equitable and innovative film industry,” Bailey says.

Looking ahead, TIFF’s mission remains clear. “In a landscape shaped by streaming platforms, shifting viewer habits, and economic challenges, what remains constant is our core purpose: sharing stories,” says Bailey. “Stories are what connect us as humans, and that need will never go away.”