While overshadowed by its flashier film festival rivals, there were still gems to be found at Tiff 2021, from Terence Davies, Mélanie Laurent, Michael Pearce and more
If it felt like the film festival hype machine was whirring back to life this summer following acclaimed editions of Cannes and Venice, the
Toronto international film festival (Tiff) is proof that the industry has not returned to normal just yet. Sundance and
Berlin predated Covid vaccination programmes and so took place digitally, while Cannes and Venice demanded attendance in person. Toronto, usually a major destination for awards-season films, has taken a hybrid approach.
There have been physical screenings, but many of its international delegates (myself included) had to attend virtually. Some film-makers have been reluctant to premiere their work this way and chosen other festivals, leaving Toronto in the shadow of its flashier, ballsier rivals.