• Application will stay open until no set end date; no notice of when it'll close
• Mid-July: confirmation of applicant acceptance
• Mid-Aug: orientation, registration, and assignments given
• Recent post about volunteering: https://www.reddit.com/r/TIFF/comments/1s985dh/festival_volunteers_how_much_time_do_you_have_to/

The festival-specific page seems to go on/offline (or the email linkout is wrong), so I copy and pasted a snapshot (from 5/20/2026, 2:10pm):

Email linkout fixed: https://tiff.net/[volunteer]/festival-volunteer-programme

Festival Volunteer Programme

Become a VolunteerReturning Volunteers

The true stars of TIFF? Our amazing Festival Volunteer team who makes it all happen! Leading up to the Festival, we aim to recruit hundreds of people to become Volunteers at this world-class event.

Read more about the steps involved in becoming a Festival Volunteer in the outline below.

1. Complete the online application form:

Our application form becomes available here and to anyone who subscribes to our TIFF Volunteer Alerts to receive Volunteer updates starting in May. Complete all the required sections, including adding a resume or summary of your work and/or volunteer experience, and your general availability. The application is open until our recruitment targets are met; this means there is no set end date. We recommend applying as soon as possible once the application opens.

2. Application review period:

Applicants will receive an email response by mid-July (exact date to be communicated when applications open). Those accepted will receive information on the next phase of the recruitment process.

Please note: Due to the number of applicants, applying to be a Volunteer does not guarantee you will be offered a placement. Applications are assessed based on your answers to our questions, your stated availability, and your resume. Leaving a section of your application blank will result in it being marked as incomplete and may impact the status of your application.

3. Attend one orientation session:

Those whose application is approved must complete orientation in July. If you currently reside outside of the Greater Toronto Area, online sessions are offered to allow for flexibility in onboarding. After the session, you will get to select your Volunteer assignment preferences.

4. Receive an assignment:

In mid-August, after completing orientation and the registration process, you will receive your Volunteer assignments based on your selected preferences, availability, and previous experience, and learn the specific needs of the role.

5. Schedule your shifts:

At a set date and time (typically late summer) you will have access to shifts via our online Volunteer database. You choose exactly when and where you want to volunteer from the selection of approved assignments. Please note: All Volunteers are required to complete a minimum of four shifts as part of their commitment to the Festival.

6. Training and preparing for shifts:

Onsite or online training is provided for most Volunteer roles in the weeks leading up to the Festival. It is also a great opportunity to ask questions directly to the staff you will be working with, or to members of the Volunteer Office. Training materials for most roles are also posted online in advance of the Festival.

7. The Festival:

Get out there and have fun! Between shifts, be sure to catch incredible films and take in the Festival atmosphere.

Festival Volunteers contribute to different areas of the Festival’s operations and can expect to work with diverse groups of TIFF staff and Volunteers alike. Please note: All the Volunteer opportunities listed require different levels of skill and commitment and are subject to availability.

• Theatre venues support: Providing customer service and front-of-house assistance by managing lineups, scanning tickets, ushering, and encouraging the public to vote for the People’s Choice Award. With several venues in operation, this is where the majority of support is required.
• Industry support: Directing delegates to registration and pass-pickup desks, offering information about Industry programming, and assisting with operational tasks at Industry venues.
• Administrative support: Assisting TIFF staff with administrative and organizational tasks required during the Festival. Duties will vary depending on the position but may include data entry, filing, and assembling materials. Please note that opportunities in this role are very limited.
• ACE: Getting dispatched with on-the-fly notice to help a specific venue or department in urgent need of support. ACE Volunteers report to a central meeting location at the start of the shift and await further direction.

It replaces Narnia, so... Maybe it will have a premiere at the festival.

Hey everyone, long time listener, first time caller.

I attended TIFF as industry for the first time last year and I just reached out to TIFF to see if they were planning on doing some sort of combo pass to get access to both Market and P&I screenings and found out the Market passes are totally replacing the Industry badges, so now P&I screening are gonna just be Market screenings.

Was anyone else aware of this? I feel like they didn’t communicate this at all, when I was looking it seemed like the market would be something you could get access to in addition to Industry rather than separate. I just think it’s crazy that they wouldn’t clearly communicate this so I figured I’d share on here for anyone who also might have been confused.

Hi there. Has anyone heard anything about the Nolan retrospective series mentioned in one of the earlier newsletters? Previous years, the main summer cinematheque events like Pop Japan and Women in Action started in June and went into July. This year, they announced June programming but no mention of Nolan films.

Also, my understanding is that the definitive way of seeing Nolan movies is in IMAX, given that he seems to be the champion of the format, but to my knowledge TIFF does not have a proper size screen to support a screening of appropriate format. Will the movies be shown in the cut down version, or will they be held at Scotiabank theater?

Hi! Ive been to fantastic fest and wanted to try Tiff because I heard so much about it. I wanted to know how the ticketing process works and if anyone had any suggestions to prepare?

I'm just reading some reviews for films that premiered at Cannes, and it's getting me excited about TIFF.

What Cannes films are you most hoping come to TIFF?

Most of the ones that I'm interested in so far have a release date that predates TIFF, except maybe Karma.

Can't wait till we get our own slate of films to pour over!