Bell Canada Ends 28-Year Sponsorship of Toronto International Film Festival
In a surprising announcement, Bell Canada has confirmed that it is ending its long-standing sponsorship of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The telecommunications company, a lead sponsor since 1995, will not continue its partnership with TIFF after the festival’s 48th edition this year.
In a statement shared with Variety, Bell expressed pride in its 28-year partnership with TIFF, stating, “We’re proud of our partnership to help make TIFF a leading global destination for film and to support Canadian content and talent on the world stage.” However, the company also revealed that it has decided to step back from its sponsorship and invest in other opportunities that align more closely with its core business. Bell is confident that TIFF will continue to thrive and showcase the world’s leading content to its dedicated audience.
Representatives from TIFF have not yet commented on Bell’s decision to end its sponsorship.
Despite this development, TIFF is moving forward with its plans for this year’s festival. In July, they unveiled a lineup of 60 films from 70 different countries. The 2023 lineup includes highly anticipated films such as Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers,” Richard Linklater’s “Hit Man,” and Kore-eda Hirokazu’s “Monster.” Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall,” which premiered at Cannes and won the Palme d’Or, will also be screened. Additionally, several Netflix films, including “Rustin,” “Pain Hustlers,” and “Nyad,” will be showcased at the festival.
The world premiere of Sylvester Stallone’s documentary “Sly” will serve as the closing film for this year’s TIFF on September 16 at Roy Thomson Hall. The festival itself will begin on September 7.
Bell’s departure as a sponsor marks the end of an era for TIFF, and it remains to be seen how this will impact the future of the festival and its ability to attract top-tier sponsors. However, with a strong lineup of films and a loyal audience, TIFF is poised to continue its mission of informing, educating, and entertaining audiences with the best in global cinema.