TIFF Defies Hollywood Strikes with Robust Lineup and Indie Goldmine

Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) CEO Cameron Bailey confirmed to Deadline that the festival is set to proceed as planned, despite the current double strike by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA in Hollywood. While these developments have led to speculation regarding the impact on the autumn film festival circuit, Bailey outlines a robust lineup for TIFF, which predicts over 200 films with 70% international and 30% Hollywood or awards season films, exceeding previous years.

Among the confirmed listings is Oscar winner Taika Waititi’s soccer comedy, ‘Next Goal Wins'. The film festival is also planning to draw crowds in with physical events such as red carpets and the closure of King Street. While safety regulations had kept the street open during 2021's first in-person TIFF post-lockdown, this year's in-person festival seems to be building upon the success of the past iteration that drew 400K attendees. The festival's publicists have remarked that a potential extended four-week SAG-AFTRA strike could affect a stars' availability during the autumn festival season.

However, TIFF might see a glimmer of hope with independent acquisitions, the titles of which might be considered exempt from the ongoing strikes due to their independent nature, separate from AMPTP companies. Bailey highlighted an increase in sales titles coming to the festival as independent films featuring A-list actors. These include Alexander Payne’s 'The Holdovers', which was purchased by Focus Features for $30M and is due for an October theatrical release.

Bailey notes that while the independent films offer unique opportunities and likely exemptions from the strike, each film and actor’s circumstance varies. He added that the festival was working through any ambiguity surrounding these independent films with their respective filmmakers and directors. Bailey explained his anticipation for actors in independent films to showcase their work, but emphasizes that the decision rests largely on the actors themselves.

Change is also afoot with TIFF's press conferences. This year they’re hitting the pause button on them. Bailey clarifies that this decision wasn’t in response to the SAG-AFTRA strike, but rather due to frequent scheduling conflicts between press conferences and screenings. The festival’s awards gala, though, will proceed as usual, featuring international talent unaffected by Hollywood union labor restrictions. However, Bailey adds that TIFF is bracing for the potential continuation of the strike into the autumn.

Now, for a lighter take:

In an industry that’s often more roller coaster than red carpet, it's clear that despite the strikes and the SAG-AFTRA huddles, TIFF is putting on the gloves and getting ready to dance. No, not the foxtrot or waltz, but the resiliency rumba. The question is, then, just how many A-listers will be joining the dance.

Those indie films Bailey is touting? It's as though TIFF is sitting at the edge of a potential gold mine, and everyone's waiting to see if it's the mother lode or just fool's gold. That hopeful glint in Bailey's eye makes me think it's the former. After all, one should never underestimate the allure of the independent - a little like the quiet kid in class who suddenly turns out to be a rockstar.

Bailey appears to be, if not exactly tossing caution to the wind, certainly ready to step into the unknown with grace and an I-told-you-so smirk that might just become legendary. It’s all new territory, he says, as though uttering the tagline of their next blockbuster hit.

And let's not forget those cancelled press conferences. I can't help but raise an amused eyebrow at the 'scheduling conflict' explanation. Isn't juggling a familiar act to us in the circus of Hollywood? But then again, maybe Bailey’s onto something - the less chatter, the more anticipation, right?

Strikes or not, the show must go on. And remember in Hollywood, we don’t whisper "break a leg", we shout "roll the credits".