TIFF Announces Layoffs As Long Term Strategies Are Reviewed

The Toronto International Film Festival has laid off 15 staff because the group rethinks its long run plans, a spokesperson mentioned Wednesday.

“In recent months, TIFF undertook a comprehensive review of its ‘Audience First’ strategic plan and operating model, to evaluate where we are as an organization relative to our stated goals,” the spokesperson mentioned in an announcement supplied to TheWrap.

Announced in 2017 following the retirement of longtime CEO Piers Handling, the “Audience First” plan was designed to broaden TIFF past its annual September movie pageant and create extra “transformative experiences through film” yr spherical. New Executive Director Joana Vicente is overseeing the challenge with TIFF Artistic Director Cameron Bailey, and it’s designed to assist the pageant navigate the widespread transition of moviegoing from cinemas to streaming.

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Among the occasions included within the plan was the Toronto Film Festival Tribute Gala, a fundraiser for TIFF that launched at this yr’s pageant and featured Meryl Streep, Joaquin Phoenix and Taika Waititi as its preliminary company of honor.

“As a normal course of business, we recalibrated our strategic plan to achieve optimal impact and be more efficient,” TIFF mentioned.  “The TIFF team is working over the next few months on the implementation of this refocused plan. We will have more details to share in the spring.”