Arjun Singh, a Toronto International Film Festival attendee since 2022, recalls purchasing tickets for the debut of the warrior drama “The Woman King” back then for $50 each. This year, he noticed balcony seats at premium screenings, which often feature Q-and-A sessions with the cast or director, being sold for up to $106.
The increase in ticket prices prompted Singh to rethink his attendance at TIFF galas, opting instead for regular festival screenings due to the higher costs.
This price surge marked the first time in recent memory that tickets for films other than the opening and closing night galas exceeded $100, a trend that caught the attention of many loyal TIFF fans.
Attendees reported steep prices for premieres of highly anticipated films like “Fjord,” “Prima Facie,” and “Love of Your Life,” produced by Ryan Gosling, with tickets reaching as high as $106. Some shared screenshots on Reddit showing first-row premiere tickets selling for $128, compared to last year’s maximum price of $98 for similar seats.
Despite multiple requests for comment on ticket pricing, TIFF remained silent on the matter.
Costs are ‘crazy’: TIFF fan
Diehard fans, who often watch up to 30 films during the 10-day festival, are now reconsidering their attendance at multiple premieres due to the price hike. Concerns are rising about potential exclusion from an event once known as “the people’s festival” for its affordability and accessibility to the public.
Joel Chico, an actor spending approximately $2,000 annually on premium screening tickets for up to 30 films, expressed dismay at the escalating costs, stating, “I love TIFF, but the expenses are becoming unreasonable.”
Although many fans endure the high prices for the unique experience of watching a film alongside its cast, they voice a desire for more affordable options.
“I love TIFF. It’s like my Christmas every year but the costs are just kind of crazy nowadays,” Chico said.
Leading up to the festival, TIFF did not disclose the top prices for each ticket category, a departure from their usual practice. Regular screenings for non-members were listed starting at $30, while premium screenings began at $46. However, during a ticket search, many premium seats were found to be selling for up to $106.
Promotions before the festival included a $2 discount on regular screenings for members and
