The Toronto International Film Festival is shifting its focus to include more international films in response to changes in audience preferences and consumption habits. Younger audiences are driving the post-pandemic box office rebound and are showing an increased interest in non-English international arthouse films. This shift towards international cinema is seen as the biggest growth and change in audience attendance for the festival.
Audiences are consuming more international content, leading to the emergence of a new breed of crossover or slightly more accessible international arthouse films. Examples include Ruben Östlund’s “Triangle of Sadness.” To reflect this trend, Toronto is already taking steps to showcase more international films, with nine out of ten titles in the Platform showcase being international and seven being non-English language films. The festival is also planning to promote Platform directors in a bigger way and introduce new ideas to elevate and position international films and filmmakers.
In addition to the Platform showcase, Toronto’s 2024 Industry Selects Showcase features five out of ten titles from outside North America, highlighting the festival’s commitment to showcasing international cinema. The In Conversation With… series of talks will feature South Korean superstars Hyun Bin and Lee Dong-wook, further emphasizing the festival’s international focus. Toronto has also begun supporting greater promotion of films from Africa and will host a panel on the continent’s films for the second year in a row.
The festival is placing a larger emphasis on Southeast Asian cinema, recognizing the rise of young new voices from the region. TIFF appointed a programmer for Southeast Asia last year, and will host its first Southeast Asian cinema panel this year. This focus on Southeast Asian cinema is part of Toronto’s efforts to elevate and position international films and filmmakers, reflecting the changing landscape of the film industry and audience preferences. By expanding its international offerings, Toronto aims to appeal to a wider audience and stay current with emerging trends in global cinema.
Overall, the Toronto International Film Festival is adapting to changes in audience preferences and consumption habits by placing a greater emphasis on international cinema. The festival is showcasing more international films in response to increased interest from younger audiences, who are driving the post-pandemic box office rebound. By featuring a diverse range of international films and filmmakers, Toronto aims to appeal to a wider audience and stay current with emerging trends in global cinema. The festival’s commitment to promoting international cinema is reflected in its programming choices, which include showcasing directors from around the world and hosting panels on different regions, such as Africa and Southeast Asia.
