TIFF to Debut Content Market Alongside Festival

Beginning in 2026 and supported with a C$23 million ($16.9 million) investment from the Canadian federal government, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) will be launching a content market to run alongside the festival.

The vision is for the market to serve as a North American hub for buying and selling screen-based projects, IP and immersive and innovative content across all platforms.

The C$23 million investment from the government is the single largest government investment that TIFF has received since its campaign to build TIFF Lightbox. The three-year investment will allow the organization to accelerate planning and development work that is currently underway.

The 2024 festival is set to take place from September 5 to 15.

“Whether you’re buying, selling, pitching or connecting, Toronto has long been a great place for the film industry to do business,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF. “As screen storytelling and how it reaches audiences evolve, we plan to grow the platform and the services we offer to professionals telling stories on every possible screen. We’ll bridge Canada’s advantages as a globally connected, North American nation with the exciting talent, ideas and resources cropping up all around the world.”

“TIFF’s new content market is a cornerstone for innovation and collaboration in the screen sector,” said Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “This significant investment by our government not only underscores our commitment to the arts and culture industry but also to fostering an environment where Canadian and international talent can thrive. By supporting this initiative, we are ensuring that Canada continues to be a leader in the global entertainment landscape, promoting diverse and dynamic storytelling that connects with audiences around the world.”

“We are grateful to Minister St-Onge and the Canadian federal government for their confidence in our vision, their commitment to the Canadian screen sector, and this significant investment in TIFF’s next chapter,” added Anita Lee, chief programming officer at TIFF. “This market will be a game-changing catalyst for the international industry overall and will further drive the importance and economic value of not only TIFF’s work, but also of the entire cultural sector, within Canada and globally. This is the right time for TIFF to build and launch a new market initiative, and it will enable us to champion Canadian content within the larger industry in an even more meaningful way.”