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The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is preparing to roll out the red carpet for its 51st yearst year, but ticket prices make some people think twice before attending.
Chiyo Kim bought tickets to the world premiere What do you wantThe latest comedy from writer-director Mina Shum.
But Kim says the price makes her feel a little guilty.
“It was $106 a ticket,” he said. “It feels like we are being appreciated more and more.”
Kim attended TIFF a few years ago when she volunteered at the festival and said she remembers TIFF being more accessible.
“I haven’t attended this festival in years, but this was quite a surprise,” he said.
According to TIFF’s website, regular screenings start at $30 for non-members, while premium screenings, which feature enhanced experiences like red carpet parties, premieres, and audience Q&As with the cast, start at $46.
But some fans say ticket prices are more than that.
For example, tickets to a premiere Always Lalisadocumentary about BLACKPINK star Lisa, is selling for $106 on Ticketmaster, while regular tickets range from $30 to $37.
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Similar stories happen at the premieres of other highly anticipated films such as Palme d’Or winners fjordsjustice system thriller Prima Facie and Ryan Gosling production Love in Your Lifeall of which cost $106.
Others posted screenshots on Reddit of tickets in the first few rows of the premiere being sold for $128. Last year, screenings at the same level rose to $98.
“This risks being a public relations problem for TIFF because they are known as the ‘people’s festival’ and when festivalgoers feel that they can no longer afford it, that’s not a good look for the festival,” said Charlie Keil, a professor at the Institute of Cinema Studies at the University of Toronto.
Keil said TIFF will likely raise prices because it can be done and because it needs to be done.
“They are experiencing the same constraints as most cultural institutions, where inflation continues to push up their costs,” he said. “It gets to the point where people push back and say, ‘I’m not going to pay those kinds of prices,’ you understand why TIFF set the prices where they are.”
These ticket prices have not dampened the enthusiasm of film fans like Stephen Brown.
He traveled from Atlanta to attend the festival and plans to make the most of it.
“I got 39 tickets and that includes some conversations, but a lot of different movies… as many as four a day in some cases,” Brown said. “I think I probably spent $2,000 to $3,000 on it.”
Joe Baker has been attending TIFF for the past decade and saw 17 films this year.
“[TIFF tickets are] it’s always more than just going to a regular show, but that’s the way it is. That’s TIFF. Plus, you can also see several producers and directors,” he said.
However, Kim said there was only one check his wallet could carry out.
“I might be able to show these films for free at home a few months later,” he said.
Global News contacted TIFF regarding ticket prices but had not received a response by publication time.
TIFF runs from September 10 to 20.
With files from The Canadian Press
