The popularity and clout of the
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) continues to expand every year. Helicopters fly high over the city looking for crowds that have gathered to see the stars of the world descend on Hollywood North.
Special sniffer dogs check out theatres for any crawly insects but none were to be found and festivals in other parts of the world were crushed with the all clear verdict. Green eco friendly taxis shuttle movie stars from the airport to the various TIFF venues. Lineups at red carpet events start to fill up early with people hoping to catch a glimpse and take photos of celebrities.
Often criticized for being too eletist and too successful (TIFF responded by saying
"Part of Bailey's mandate has been to expand the festival so it appeals to a greater demographic. He rejects the criticism that TIFF has become an “elitist” institution."), the crowds make it
difficult to get tickets and into the movies that make up the festival, so organizers have created the World's biggest outdoor movie screen on one of Toronto's iconic landmarks - the
Royal York Hotel on Front Street. Their plan was to bring some of the premiers out of the Bell Lightbox (pictured at top) and show the movies to the masses. However recent
labour problems and strike walkouts, which include operators of the massive movie projector, have put the brakes to the plan.
Martin Sheen even joined the protest for a short period to show his solidarity with the workers at the luxury hotel.
I have created a mock up of the screen showing the premier of Rainn Wilson's new movie "
The Crimson Bolt" to show what the movie premier could have been.
