TIFF announced recently a detailed look at the 2020 Industry Conference. The five-day event, taking place September 10–14 during the Festival, will inspire and incite discussions for creativeandbusinessentrepreneurship.TheConferenceisaninspiringprofessionaldevelopmentopportunity for delegates to experience high-profile speakers, intimate conversations, provocative panel discussions, and user-friendly presentations designed to help build resourceful, innovative, and financially sustainable business practices.“This is a pivotal moment in recognizing the unsung heroes, whose work will pave the way to amore sustainable and equitable industry.” said Geoff Macnaughton, Senior Director, Industry &Theatrical.“This year’sConference will be a catalyst for change, examining new trends and championing diversity, racial equality, and gender parity. Talent Development continues to be a corner stone of TIFF’s year-round work and we are exceptionally proud of the programm we’ve curated for the participants, and are excited to see them grow.”The 2020 Industry Conference is comprised of the following programming:Each year, the Conference featuresMaster Classes from some of the most distinctive, esteemed voices in film and television. This year’s Master Class guests include Viola Davis and Julius Tennon,Luca Guadagnino, Ted Hope, and dream hampton, all speaking on their remarkable, long-lasting, and varied career paths. The Hollywood Reporter is a media partner of Master Classes 2020.
Dialogues are conversations between influential storytellers on the art and craft of filmmaking.This year’s guests include Tracy Oliver, Stella Meghie, Lenny Abrahamson, and Shola Lynch sharingtheir expertise on writing, directing, show running, and documentary filmmaking alongside a hostof other talented filmmakers. Variety is a media partner of Dialogues 2020. Perspectives are panel discussions between filmmakers and industry professionals on the current state and future of the industry. This year’s speakers — including Chelsea Winstanley, Misha Green,Nina Jacobson, and Ben Roberts— will explore a wide range of topics, including narrative sovereignty; women creators making waves in the horror realm; how race-based data can be used to drive anti-racist action in the screen industries; the ins and outs of co-productions, using Viggo Mortensen’s directorial debut and 2020 Festival selection, FALLING (Canada/United Kingdom), asa case study; A-list producers’ secrets to success; and film financing in the shadow of a pandemic.Screen International is a Media partner of Perspectives 2020.Special Industry Event is a one-on-one talk with filmmaker Aaron Sorkin, who takes us on a deep dive into the creative process behind the upcoming film THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7. Film professionals can participate digitally in this year’sIndustry Conference and Festival by registering for one of two pass options: the Digital TalksPass— provides access to onlineConference events on the Bell Digital Talks platform — or the Digital Pro Pass — includes the onlineConference events plus digital screenings of titles in and out of Selection. Both passes include online networking and business tools for producers, buyers, sales agents, and film creators at large.TIFF FILMMAKER LAB provides an immersive learning experience. This year, 20 directors have been selected to participate — 10 from Canada and 10 from around the world. The Lab is designed to be inspirational, bringing the filmmakers into contact with some of the finest creative talent in the world. The programm consists of extended, informal conversations with invited guests, including directors, producers, writers, and other film artists. Filmmaker Lab is supported byTelefilm Canada, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the RBC Female CreatorInitiative, Anne-Marie Canning and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.TIFF TALENT ACCELERATOR is a customized, year-long development experience for six promisingCanadian creators who are women. Now in its second year, the programm provides year-round support to two directors, two writers, and two producers who are chosen by TIFF Industry for acustomized development experience. The TIFF Talent Accelerator programm is made possible byTIFF’sShareHer Journey initiative and is generously supported by theRBCFemale CreatorInitiative. Participants of the Talent Accelerator programm receive fellowship funding presented by Netflix.TIFF continues to work closely with the Province of Ontario, the City of Toronto, and public health officials on the safe execution of the Festival, with its number-one priority being the health and well-being of both Festival filmgoers and the residents of the entire community. The Province’sStage 3 reopening guidelines currently cap a movie theatre’s occupancy at 50 guests per cinema regardless of the total capacity of the theatre.Additionally, TIFF has partnered with Medcan, a global health care leader providing medical expertise, consultation, and health inspiration to achieve its mission of helping people “Live Wellfor Life.” Based on the pillars of evidence-based care, exceptional client service, and the latest in technology, Medcan’s team of over 90 physicians and specialists support employee health care across the continuum of health, including its “safe at Work System” helping organizations navigate the pandemic.The 45th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival runs September 10–19, 2020.