The Toronto Film Festival has issued a demand that Hollywood stars and execs attending its upcoming 2021 edition show either proof they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or proof that they have tested negative for COVID-19 within 48 hours before entering any TIFF venue.
The move, announced on Monday, follows a directive that those launching their latest movies in-person, including on the red carpet, had to mask up at all theaters and affiliated venues. But TIFF organizers had stopped short of demanding proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter its venues as Canada had begun allowing entry only to fully vaccinated Americans starting Aug. 9.
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But the change of policy comes as part of the latest update of COVID-19 protocols for talent, rights holders, press and industry for Toronto’s upcoming Sept. 9-18 edition and follows a rise in COVID-19 infections in Ontario amid the Delta variant. The new demand for proof of vaccination or a negative test will not apply to TIFF movie-goers at outdoor drive-in theathers where audiences will be in their cars.
“TIFF has taken great care and consideration in implementing these TIFF specific protocols to mitigate risk to audiences and guests attending TIFF. We have relied on municipal and provincial medical direction and advice on rapid testing and we expect this will provide another level of clarity and comfort for all 2021 festival goers,” Joana Vicente and Cameron Bailey, TIFF co-heads, said in a statement.
Festival organizers earlier ordered that talent attending TIFF will be required to do a PCR test within 72 hours of arriving in Canada, and every 48 hours until their departure.
And artistic teams accompanying a film’s talent and director will require proof of a negative PCR test to gain entry to movie premieres, press conferences, ceremonies and other affiliated events.
The strict COVID protocols for the 2021 edition follow a decision by Toronto fest organizers to hold a portion of their event in-person. But while TIFF touted the low incidence of COVID infections during the current summer season, and a successful vaccine rollout countrywide, infections are on the rise in and around Toronto.
On Sunday, Ontario reported 722 new COVID-19 cases, up from the 689 infections on Saturday, and the highest number of new daily cases since June 5 when 744 cases were reported.
The 2021 Toronto Film Festival will effectively resemble last year’s hybrid event, with limited in-person film screenings. Last year, TIFF introduced its digital screening platform to comply with safety protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the same time, Toronto organizers aim with proof of vaccination, mask-wearing, social-distancing and COVID-testing to get more Americans and other international filmmakers, media and other industry attendees to the Canadian festival for its upcoming Sept. 9-18 run than at last year’s event, when a highly restricted hybrid edition was staged amid the pandemic in September 2020.
TIFF organizers plan to screen around 100 films during their 2021 edition, starting with Stephen Chbosky’s Dear Evan Hansen kicking off the 46th Toronto Film Festival as the opening night film at Roy Thomson Hall.
The Canadian government choosing to end quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated American visitors to Canada from Aug. 9 means industry attendees can potentially travel to Toronto and not be required to isolate on arrival if they show proof of full vaccinations.
Toronto organizers are updating the festival COVID protocols when required as they work with local public health officials and politicians to ensure a safe 2021 edition.
Citing health concerns, Sundance organizers said they planned to ask industry players looking to attend their event on the ground in January 2022 to show they had been vaccinated.
For the upcoming Venice Film Festival, all attendees will need an official certificate proving they are fully vaccinated, have recovered from a COVID infection or have had a negative antigen test in order to enter the theaters and screen films once that event kicks off Sept. 1.
