“People sometimes join ‘rush’ lines hours before the screening, to try to get into an ‘off-sale’ film (i.e., no seats available). I’ve seen it happen more than once that a festival goer walking by the line gifts a spare ticket to the astonished person. The look of joy on the receiver’s face is priceless, but the best part is the other people in line are just as pleased. TIFF lines become little communities!” —Pam Shanks, festivalvolunteer
“When we were using the auditorium at (TMU), the next film featured Rachel McAdams as the lead. Eric McCormack, a well-known Canadian actor and longtime best friend of hers, flew in from L.A. and lined up to go and watch her movie. When Rachel saw him in the lineup, she asked him to join her on the red carpet. Eric hugged her over the fence and then declined: he wished her the best of luck and said, “It’s your day to shine on the red carpet!” He stayed where he was and I later escorted him to his seat.” —Maurice-Pierre Joanis, festival volunteer
“The anticipation in a TIFF line is half the thrill. You’re not just waiting for a movie — you’re waiting for a moment. It’s electric. Before reserved seats and digital tickets were introduced, lining up was a rite of passage. It was like being a teen again, waiting for a midnight ‘Harry Potter’ release. Some TIFF lines wrap right around the red carpet and that’s part of the magic. Last year, on the opening night of ‘Anora,’ we were waiting beside the press line and I watched Mikey Madison talk about how excited she was for the film. Only at TIFF can waiting in line feel like part of the premiere.” —Becca Rhodes, TIFF member
“I’ve always enjoyed chatting with fellow festival attendees while standing in line. These other film nerds are my people! One day, during the 2015 fest, I struck up a conversation with the guy in front of me. Beau worked at the Cincinnati public library; he was here to find films to bring to the screening program. We sat together to watch the film and parted ways with a handshake. I figured that was it. Later, during a different screening, I saw a hand waving in the air. Beau had saved me a seat. What a guy! It’s been 10 years, and we stay in touch by text and are sure to rendezvous at the fest each year. It’s been a true pleasure getting to know him as not just a fellow film lover, but as a person.” —Brian Cashion, film fan
“TIFF suggests you arrive 15 minutes early for a screening. This is good advice. However, meeting the 15-minute deadline can sometimes mean rushing up King Street after a screening, running faster than Tom Cruise. Last year for ‘Saturday Night,’ I was rushing down King Street, doing everything in my power to reach the lineup at the Royal Alex Theatre. Imagine my shock when, in my attempt to find the line, I found myself face to face with an enormous llama, casually walking past Elephant & Castle with its handler. I was ushered into the theatre by a swarm of volunteers decked out in bee headbands like John Belushi wears in the film. I honestly thought I was hallucinating at first: bee volunteers, llamas on King Street. But it set the tone for a fun, and rather bonkers, night.” —Joe Lawrence, film fan
“After 24 festivals directing ticket lines, I might be ready to try air traffic controlling! Everyone is coming to you with questions, and the information you need to give can change on a dime. I used to work at the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre. We’d sometimes have 2,000-plus people lined up on Yonge Street, winding down the smaller streets. Everyone joining the line would ask me, ‘Are we all gonna fit in there?’ And they always did.” —Ada Wong, festival volunteer
Main photo: Shot on Toronto Star editors, reporters, art directors and interns. Styling by Christal Williams/Plutino Group. Assistant: Anastasia Delyon. Left to right: Aldo Zollo loafers, aldoshoes.com, Michael Kors pants, michaelkors.com; Adidas Originals Samba sneakers, socks and skirt, adidas.ca; Michael Kors Jayla boots and skirt, michaelkors.com; Hermès Loop sneakers, hermes.com; Hermès Klara sandal and Imprime Maille cardigan and leggings, hermes.com; Coach Derby lace-ups, ca.coach.com, Adidas Originals pants, adidas.ca; Gucci platform loafer, vspconsignment.com, Evernew dress, evernew.ca.
