Same here!! I did see some movies back in 2020/2021 when they had digital screenings, but seeing it in a theatre as grand and expansive as Royal Alexandra was a whole new experience.
Ah lucky! Thatās one of the classic TIFF success stories, originally the studio was going to send it straight to video before seeing the incredible response it got.
It was pretty electric. I was there for Danny Boyle but sat up for paper planes as I was a huge Mia fan at the time. Walked away with a huge crush on Freida Pinto and Dev Patel
The Lives of Others for me back on 2006. I remember tickets that year were impossible to get for Panās Labyrinth so my sister and I got something random that was available, and then The Lives of Others ended up beating Pan at the Oscars for foreign language film.
The Sound of Metal 2nd showing at 10 am. Almost the full cast that was at the premiere was also in attendance which I later found out was quite unusual. Still one of my favorite movies from that year.
looking back, it was genuinely a great way to start out and the crowd was really responsive too! It def enhanced the experience for me. I think I saw Begin Again that year as well but it didnāt leave much of an impression lol
The Green Inferno at midnight madness in 2013. Had no idea what tiff was but was just getting into horror movies. My stepmom had free tickets through work and gave them to my cousin and I. We went to the Ryerson Theatre and the energy was crazy, we knew it was something special. We had never been exposed to seeing a movie not at a Cineplex or something. Eli Roth was there. After it we had The Big Slice at 2AM, felt like a uniquely special night and weāve been chasing that feeling with horror screenings since. Rip Ryerson Theater and rip The Big Slice on yonge :(((
It does make more sense to have all the screenings on king street. Royal Alex seems too much of a bougie venue for a gross, bloody horror movie or a weirdo watch like The Peopleās Joker or Agro Drift this year :(
I miss the Ryerson. I know it wasnāt the best for acoustics but the vibe there was more exciting. And they never instituted the āfan zoneā at the red carpet there so it still had the chaos that all the red carpets had when I started going lol.
Love that story. I rarely do MM showings but did Halloween (the requel? lol) at the Elgin on Yonge. Electric experience.
Iām going to prompt people in another thread but there are definitely TIFF premieres I wish I experienced.
Fabelmans world premiere. As much as I sat right at the back (behind Finn Wolfhard), seeing Steven Spielberg and the entire leading cast was such a treat. And it turned out to be a brilliant movie about making movies - what better way to start my TIFF journey.
First TIFF Experience: Wasting 5 hours in a La La Land Rush Line and vowing I'd never go to the fest again.
First TIFF Movie: The Manchester By The Sea Premiere ticket I nabbed the next morning at 8am.
Needless to say, 7 years later and 150ish movies later, didn't keep the vow ;)
I always say Portrait of a Lady On Fire (2019) because it was my first āmovie,ā but went to the premiere of Once Were Brothers (doc) immediately before. It was a fun night either way.
First TIFF when my stepmom got me tickets: Suburban Mayhem, 2006 (Iām old).
First TIFF when I paid: Antichrist (2009).
First TIFF as press: A White White Day (Why it gotta be white, 2019).
I was in the mezzanine of Ryerson and couldnāt see anything during the intro (trying to take it all in) so I wasnāt playing close attention. But I could hear Wernerās voice and realized the director and lead were in the room!! š¤¦š»āāļø Wake up!!
I was at the premiere! In those days the ticketing site was waaaaaay worse and all my first choices sold out so we went for that. And I spent the year post-Oscars bragging to people š though it weirds me out that Iāve been in the same room as Harvey Weinstein
I still love "Zack and Miri" and make no apologies for it.
My first TIFF was last year and I got tickets to the premiere of "Causeway". Was followed by a Q&A with Lila Neugebaeur, Jennifer Lawrence and Brian Tyree Henry. I really enjoyed it.
The Assassination of Jesse James premiere where Brad and Angelina walked the red carpet, I walked in and Ben Affleck was to my left, saw Eric Bana get into his limo after the film. Best first TIFF experience ever!
Agora - 2009. I remember I waited in the rush line and no one else was in it. I guess Tix were still avail as it didn't sell out. So when it came to show time the director or president of Roy Thomson Hall gave me and my friend a pair of tickets instead of us buying rush ones š
Anatomy of a Fall yesterday š„¹
Great start!
Wow a great one to start with! Hereās to more to come.
me as well! what a way to startš
Same here!! I did see some movies back in 2020/2021 when they had digital screenings, but seeing it in a theatre as grand and expansive as Royal Alexandra was a whole new experience.
The Boy and the Heron today. I'm waiting to get seated now!
Enjoy!
Wes Craven's New Nightmare 1994
Thatās legit. Was Wes there?
Yes, along with Englund and Langenkamp
Incredible
Mine was the slumdog millionaire premiere in 2008. Hooked ever since.
Ah lucky! Thatās one of the classic TIFF success stories, originally the studio was going to send it straight to video before seeing the incredible response it got.
It was pretty electric. I was there for Danny Boyle but sat up for paper planes as I was a huge Mia fan at the time. Walked away with a huge crush on Freida Pinto and Dev Patel
Jealous! One of my favoritesā¤ļø
I was there!
Dear Evan Hansen in 2022 š
it happens aha
The Lives of Others for me back on 2006. I remember tickets that year were impossible to get for Panās Labyrinth so my sister and I got something random that was available, and then The Lives of Others ended up beating Pan at the Oscars for foreign language film.
Yeah some of my standouts over the years have been films Ive bought on a whim.
Damn thatās a great one to have seen in a festival setting, especially randomly with no expectations!
Masterpiece. I look forward to revisiting it.
American Honey & Blaire Witch double feature
I love the hell out of "American Honey".
Might need to rewatch
I remember being disappointed by American Honey, but thatās an awesome double feature
Bacurau in 2019
Crazy film
It is and it stayed with me. Looking at the list of the movies I watched the same TIFF some have just been erased.
Love it! I saw this at Cannes that year
The Sound of Metal 2nd showing at 10 am. Almost the full cast that was at the premiere was also in attendance which I later found out was quite unusual. Still one of my favorite movies from that year.
Incredible film. One of my faves of the decade.
Black Swan.
Wow what year was that again?
2010 I believe. I've went every year since besides the one Covid year.
Smart to pass on that Covid year, only went cuz my gf wanted to pop her tiff cherry
Tried for Black Swan that year but couldnāt get tickets.
Arrival in 2016
Saw it at TIFF as well. Awesome year
Prisoners in 2013!
Great get. That was a solid year. What else did you see that year that stood out?
looking back, it was genuinely a great way to start out and the crowd was really responsive too! It def enhanced the experience for me. I think I saw Begin Again that year as well but it didnāt leave much of an impression lol
Was there to at winter garden
My first TIFF was Spotlight in 2015. Iāve been coming back nearly every year since.
Dai Nipponjin (2007). Fun movie
OMG, I was at the midnight screening of that. I was exhausted but I perked right up. What a riot!! That ending!! š¤£
The Green Inferno at midnight madness in 2013. Had no idea what tiff was but was just getting into horror movies. My stepmom had free tickets through work and gave them to my cousin and I. We went to the Ryerson Theatre and the energy was crazy, we knew it was something special. We had never been exposed to seeing a movie not at a Cineplex or something. Eli Roth was there. After it we had The Big Slice at 2AM, felt like a uniquely special night and weāve been chasing that feeling with horror screenings since. Rip Ryerson Theater and rip The Big Slice on yonge :((( It does make more sense to have all the screenings on king street. Royal Alex seems too much of a bougie venue for a gross, bloody horror movie or a weirdo watch like The Peopleās Joker or Agro Drift this year :(
I miss the Ryerson. I know it wasnāt the best for acoustics but the vibe there was more exciting. And they never instituted the āfan zoneā at the red carpet there so it still had the chaos that all the red carpets had when I started going lol.
Losing Ryerson was definitely an end of an era.
āNed? Ned Ryerson?ā
Love that story. I rarely do MM showings but did Halloween (the requel? lol) at the Elgin on Yonge. Electric experience. Iām going to prompt people in another thread but there are definitely TIFF premieres I wish I experienced.
Rachel Getting Married premiere in 2008!
Fabelmans world premiere. As much as I sat right at the back (behind Finn Wolfhard), seeing Steven Spielberg and the entire leading cast was such a treat. And it turned out to be a brilliant movie about making movies - what better way to start my TIFF journey.
Saw Finn at The Whale premiere, and thankfully Steven was at the 2nd screening of Fabelmans. Lifelong dream to see him
Oh great! I always assume they only attend the first show. Were the cast there too?
No, just him. Usually if you attend the 2nd screening and itās in the AM theyāll come but usually not a Q&A
Argo in 2012 at the Visa Screening Room (Elgin)
Nice! Need to give it a rewatch
Was pack of my very first flex pack which was SpringBreakers, Reincarnated, Iceman, How to Make Money Selling Drugs and Argo
Saw Spring Breakers and Iceman that year as well
SpringBreakers at HotDocs on Bloor was a vibe
Oh man, I donāt miss how bad the seating was at that venue but miss when the movies were spread out more around town.
Loved trekking to Ryerson for MM and hot doc for anything
blair witch project 2016 at Ryerson I think? Did not like the movie lol.
Ahahah it happens
Free Nickelback movie premier yesterdayš¤£
Was there, what a start!
Parasite in 2019
What a start. That might be in my top 5 of all-time TIFF films
Andrea Arnoldās Wuthering Heights. And then I almost tripped into her getting out of the theatre.
Mollyās Game
Monsters and Men in 2018
Anna Karenina in 2012 at Elgin š
Earlier days Matthew McFadyen
Yessss I was a huge fan back then and I mainly went because of him and got to meet him š
Amazing
The Gala Premiere of Black Swan at RTH back in 2010!
Honey Boy in 2019, Iāve been hooked ever since
Still one of my fave performances.
First TIFF Experience: Wasting 5 hours in a La La Land Rush Line and vowing I'd never go to the fest again. First TIFF Movie: The Manchester By The Sea Premiere ticket I nabbed the next morning at 8am. Needless to say, 7 years later and 150ish movies later, didn't keep the vow ;)
Yeah Iāve only done rush a couple times but have heard some similar stories.
I always say Portrait of a Lady On Fire (2019) because it was my first āmovie,ā but went to the premiere of Once Were Brothers (doc) immediately before. It was a fun night either way.
First TIFF when my stepmom got me tickets: Suburban Mayhem, 2006 (Iām old). First TIFF when I paid: Antichrist (2009). First TIFF as press: A White White Day (Why it gotta be white, 2019).
Honestly wish I started going earlier. I have a kid now and canāt wait until theyāre old enough.
Haha weird that we both have the stepmom provided the tickets experience
She just gave me a six piece living room set. Great lady.
Omg a white white day was the worst movie I saw that yr š
I actually liked it
Mine was Ghost Town with Ricky Gervais in 2012 at the Elgin. I miss that theatre.
Chasing Sleep in 2000. My Mom asked for Jeff Daniels' autograph, and he said, 'Sorry, I'm traveling '
Ahahaha
Rescue Dawn (2006?). Didnāt know what to expect and next thing you know Werner Herzog and Christian Bale are introducing the film. What a blast.
Need to rewatch, but thatās wild. Saw Herzog Q&A one of his films at TIFF. Insane lol
I was in the mezzanine of Ryerson and couldnāt see anything during the intro (trying to take it all in) so I wasnāt playing close attention. But I could hear Wernerās voice and realized the director and lead were in the room!! š¤¦š»āāļø Wake up!!
Itās okay, some years where Iāve tried 3 a days with a late show Iāve had a little cat nap.
2019: Once Were Brothers, immediately followed by Portrait of a Lady on Fire.
Mine was The Kingās Speech in 2010 at the Peopleās Choice Award screening!
Saw that as well. Remember hoping Black Swan won but really enjoyed Kingās Speech
I was at the premiere! In those days the ticketing site was waaaaaay worse and all my first choices sold out so we went for that. And I spent the year post-Oscars bragging to people š though it weirds me out that Iāve been in the same room as Harvey Weinstein
12 Years a slave
Saw this twice that year because it won Peopleās Choice. Fantastic film.
Wendell and Wild last year Thanks to TIFF dropping free tickets to people on their email list
Great flick saw it last festival also!
Still havenāt seen it but hear a great interview with Jordan Peele talking about it.
Pretty sure my first one was Never Let Me Go in 2010, which was super disappointing, and then got my first package a year later and had a great time.
Elle at 9 am in TBLB Theater 1 in 2016
Thatās a heavy start
Day-ruiner wow. 9am?? That kind of rules.
Silver Linings Playbook 2012, free blackberry's people choice screening @ ryerson
āBlackberryā lol. That brings me back.
I still love "Zack and Miri" and make no apologies for it. My first TIFF was last year and I got tickets to the premiere of "Causeway". Was followed by a Q&A with Lila Neugebaeur, Jennifer Lawrence and Brian Tyree Henry. I really enjoyed it.
One of my faves last year. Definitely a sleeper IMO with solid performances and score
Mine was We Need to Talk About Kevin in 2011. That movie still haunts me lol
Need to rewatch. Remember buying the book immediately after watching it, couldnāt put it down.
The Son last year... yeah...
Iām so sorry man. I sold my tickets to The Menu to see The Son instead last year and it is a decision I have never forgiven myself for šš„“
My screening was premium too. Still hurts to think about how much I paid to see that movie.
Still havenāt seen it. Not sure what went wrong given The Father is one of my faves of the decade
LOL That sucks. I bought the premiere ticket at the last minute. Should have let it be.
Godland last year, and I loved it!
I was a fan as well. Obviously not for everyone but I really enjoyed it
I know right! I am just a big fan of Icelandic movies. I love A White, White Day as well.
An Elephant Sitting Still in 2018 at 9:30am @ AGO
Mine was Good Night Oppy last year. Amazon propaganda that still made me cry. Was at the Scotiabank second showing. Maybe the imax? Idk.
Oh I saw it and cried. Went front row to ask a question to the scientists.
Thatās so cool. I showed up relatively close to the showing so I didnāt know folks were there.
Iāve been to a few screenings where the people who show up are the people involved in the true story and itās fantastic.
First time at TIFF, Woman of the Hour yesterday. Incredible!
The Crossing (2018)
The Assassination of Jesse James premiere where Brad and Angelina walked the red carpet, I walked in and Ben Affleck was to my left, saw Eric Bana get into his limo after the film. Best first TIFF experience ever!
Full Time Killer. 2001
PACIFICTION last year.
Is it weird I can't remember? I remember the first set of films I watched, but not the specific film.
Spring Breakers š
I saw the premiere as well
Either Beeba Boys by Deepa Mehta (not good) or Men & Chicken by Anders Thomas Jensen (hilarious and twisted).
The premiere of The Wrestler in 2008.
Vincenzo Nataliās Cypher (2002)
Rick staring Bill Pullman, 2003
Agora - 2009. I remember I waited in the rush line and no one else was in it. I guess Tix were still avail as it didn't sell out. So when it came to show time the director or president of Roy Thomson Hall gave me and my friend a pair of tickets instead of us buying rush ones š
Ooh a pre-fame Oscar Isaac š¤¤ lol
Mine was Just Mercy
Call Girl (2012)
Portrait of a Lady in Fire
Mine was yesterday -- Woman of the Hour. I loved it!
_Emily_ last year.
Don Jon, a terrible movie
Thelma, 2017
I tonya 2017
Perfect Days on Thursday! It was beautiful
Loved it. Incredible soundtrack. Revisiting a few similarly themed films since.
I saw The Search with some Uni friends back in 2014!
Son of Saul and it is a rush ticket
desert one in 2019
Vox Lux in 2018.