TIFF 50th Strikes Gold with Partners
As TIFF celebrates its 50th anniversary, it marks a significant milestone in the world of cinema and strategic partnerships. The festival's enduring strength is built around a blend of legacy sponsors and new voices, all woven into an immersive experience that spans screens, lounges, and the heartbeat of Toronto. This 50th anniversary is not just a number, but a testament to the festival's commitment to showcasing the best in film and the power of collaboration.
The renewal of Rogers as Presenting Partner through 2027 not only provides a foundation of scale and continuity for TIFF but also allows Rogers to co-produce a 50th-edition television special with TIFF's Studio 9, to air exclusively on Citytv. This partnership bridges a golden history with contemporary stories, underscoring Rogers' commitment to supporting world-class film and cinema and bringing the best in entertainment to Canadians. This amplified collaboration will carry "this truly remarkable 50th edition" across multiple platforms, multiplying the festival's resonance and enhancing Rogers' brand presence.
Now entering its second decade of partnership, RBC's commitment to TIFF is not just about visibility, but about embedding support into creation. The bank's Red Carpet Gallery, RBC House, and Black Excellence Brunch headline its activations, but the RBC Screen Creators' Initiative and Every Story Accelerator define its strategic intent. Through these programs, backed by the RBC Foundation, the bank helps fund and elevate diverse and emerging filmmakers. This long-term commitment From RBC, as Mary DePaoli, Executive Vice President and CMO at RBC, states, is rooted in nurturing the storytellers who will define tomorrow's cinema, ensuring a bright future for TIFF.
Allergan Aesthetics makes its debut this year, staking its brand on TIFF's creative ethos of self-expression and confidence. The marketing leadership, noting the power of visual storytelling, speaks of aligning 'artistry with empowerment,' using the festival's narrative canvas to underscore authenticity and personal agency. This exciting new partnership brings a fresh and unique perspective to TIFF, promising a unique and inspiring experience for all.
Campari returns for its second year with heightened flair, promising an even more exciting experience. As the Official Cocktail Partner of the Red Carpet and Title Sponsor of the Campari Cinema Center, the brand elevates hospitality into narrative. Their Bar at Roy Thomson Hall activates the South Fan Zone with pre-screening toasts and cinematic conversation. At the same time, Massimo Zitti, co-founder of Mother Cocktail Bar, serves signature Negroni and Spritz cocktails during the opening weekend. Doug Costantini, General Manager of Campari Canada, reflects, 'As long as there is a story to tell, Campari and TIFF agree, there is a movie to be made… our return as the Official Cocktail of the Red Carpet is truly thrilling.' The Campari Cinema Center, produced by Roxstar Entertainment, offers an immersive experience across plush lounges and private dining nooks along King Street West, bringing premieres, after-parties, and Collider-broadcast interviews into sharper focus and global visibility.
The Four Seasons Hotel Toronto transforms hospitality into cinematic staging. The kickoff at d| Bar features a TIFF-curated photo exhibit and Yorkville mural, blending visual nostalgia with design. A coast-to-coast dinner by Chefs Daniel Boulud and Rob Feenie—with Okanagan wine pairings—anchors the culinary narrative, followed by the Golden Cherry cocktail adorned with 23-karat gold, BAFTA-inspired afternoon tea, RBC's Road to the Golden Globes party, a Vanity Fair gala hosted by iconic filmmakers, and "50 for 50" Power Lunches at Café Boulud. Spa offerings like the Red-Carpet Glam Facial bring the luxury and care of TIFF into every touchpoint.
On streets and in pop-ups, brands like Lavazza animate Festival Street with curated coffee stations, vintage cinema-inspired photo ops, and free sampling across TIFF Lightbox and theatres. Roots and Dean Davidson introduce limited-edition jackets and jewelry that echo TIFF's poster history, while Beyond Meat infuses plant-based energy into food activations. Canada Goose continues its understated yet visible role as Outwear Partner. Campari's immersive hospitality is further elevated through a partnership with Earls Kitchen + Bar, offering the "Earls Director's Cut Martini," a TIFF-inspired cocktail available nationwide. Each of these partners, from BOSS to Bullfrog Power to Christie and Dyson, adds a texture that enriches the festival's experiential fabric.
TIFF 50 is not merely a movie festival; it's a living showcase of how enduring and emerging brands can align with artistic legacy and cultural momentum.