Single Tickets Are On Sale!

"I was going to take my chicken to see Evolution. She is a huge Lucile Hadžihalilović fan."

You don't have to be like Sad Mads here, a little gloomy that all the program ticket packages are off-sale now--because single tickets are now on sale! All your movie dreams can come true in single ticket form!

"Jazz hands, everyone! Our movie dreams are coming true!"

Just got to TIFF.net or call: 416.599.TIFF / 1.888.599.8433 (toll-free)
Before September 9, call between: 9am and 7pm
From September 10 till September 20 call to order tickets between 7am and 7pm

You can also buy tickets in person at a Festival Box Office:

Festival Box Office & TIFF Members Box Office
August 25 – September 9: 9am – 7pm
September 10–20: 7am – 7pm
225 King Street West
Metro Centre
(Entrance off of Duncan Street)

The TIFF Members Box Office is located on the lower level.

Festival Patrons Circle Box Office
August 27 – September 9: 9am – 7pm
September 10–20: 7am – 7pm

TIFF Bell Lightbox
Steve & Rashmi Gupta Box Office
Reitman Square, 350 King Street West

Or at a venue box office:
Venue box offices open 1 hour before the first screening of the day. Box offices close 30 minutes after the start of the final screening of the day.

For more info, click through to TIFF! 

A How-To For Scoring Tickets

Okay, guys. This is it: five more days until the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival starts. If you're one of the lucky ones with a pass, then we don't wanna talk to you. Neah. But if you're hoping to buy some individual tickets, they go on sale September 1st. Yes, as in two days from now! Better clear you schedule!  Film writer Sean Kelly has written some tips over at the always informative Huffington Post. Here are some highlights:

Plan, Plan, and Plan Some More


Always make sure to have at least one alternate choice for every film screening you want to attend (I actually choose up to four alternate choices). Also there's a few forums online (such as this one), which keep track of which films have gone off-sale (definitely a good fact to know). Since it can be a daunting task the choose films, there are many tools you can use to help. The best tool from the last few years is a website called TIFFR, which allows you to add TIFF films to a shortlist and plot them to your own personal schedule.  (Vanguard Blog's note: we lovvvveeeee TIFFR! It's, as the kids say, the bomb. Wait, do they still say that?)   

Buy Tickets as Early as Possible

The Festival Box Office at 225 King Street West opens for single ticket sale at 9 am on Sept. 1. It has become the habit of hardcore cinephiles to actually camp out the night before, in order to acquire the best tickets. While camping out isn't really that necessary, it is highly recommended that you buy tickets as soon as you can, preferably on the first day of ticket sales. Since the online ordering system can sometimes be unreliable on the first day, it is best to wake-up early and head to the box office in person (I recommend arriving AT LEAST an hour or two before tickets go on sale). While you might find yourself in for a long wait (one year I waited 8 hours in line), you will likely be able to get tickets to most of the screenings you want to see (assuming you arrived well prepared). (Vanguard Blog's note: We've been hearing better and better things about the online process and while technology is never always perfect, it can be a much better alternative to camping out in front of the box office. Then again, you could make some new friends.)

Off-sale Does NOT Mean "Sold Out"

A big pet peeve of mine is when people describe a film at TIFF as being "sold out." The official terminology TIFF uses when tickets are no longer available is "off-sale." This is because many films tend to go back on sale for one reason or another. That's why TIFF asks you to check the the box office everyday at 7am, since that is when additional tickets might be available for purchase. It is only on the day of the screening when the film is officially no longer available and marked "RUSH." (Vanguard Blog's note: As this author professionally manages theatres for film festivals, she too never uses the phrase "sold out" when referring to screenings. EVER. Because, like Sean says, even if there are no tickets currently for sale, it doesn't mean there won't be at some point. And even then, there is always the Rush Line. Which brings us to...)
 

When in Doubt, RUSH 

If there is a film that you ABSOLUTELY want to see, but you haven't been able to get advanced tickets, there is always the RUSH line. In it's simplest description, the RUSH line is place where you wait on stand-by, in case last minute tickets become available. Usually RUSH tickets are sold 10 minutes before a screening, after most of the ticket holders have been let in, and are CASH-ONLY. (Vanguard Blog's note: Again, as a professional festival worker, this author can attest to the Rush Line being one of the most fun experiences you'll ever have at a film festival. Sure, you could be in line for a couple of hours. But if you REALLY want to see a film, it's worth it. And since everyone else in the line REALLY wants to see the film too, you'll have something to talk about. Pack a snack, bring some cash, and get comfy. Also, when you get into a Rush Line, take a moment to find a volunteer or staff member who can explain all of the Rush Line rules too you; they can sometimes change from year to year and differ at every festival.) 

Intrepid Vanguard follows, do you have any of your own tips for successfully snagging Festival tickets? Share them with us! 

Off Sale? Don't Panic!

I’m sure a lot of you have started to notice screenings are showing up as “OFF SALE” at the online box office (accessible here), “RUSH ONLY” on the boards at the Festival Box Office at 225 King Street West Concourse Level (entrance at Duncan Street), or generally unavailable by phone at (416) 599-FILM or 1-888-599-8433. Click here for a list of films currently Off Sale (Click on the button that says "Are You Just Browsing Today?" to see the list).

Don’t panic, there are still ways for you to get tickets. Here are a some options:

1) Don’t give up! Keep checking the various box offices listed above. 

Many of the seats for films listed as off sale were ticketed during the advance order process last week. Any of those ticketholders could change their mind between now and the screening and exchange their ticket for a voucher. I’ve had the most luck checking the systems at around 7:00 am (when the box offices open), but check all throughout the day as seats can become available any time.

2) If it is the day of the screening and you still can’t get a ticket at any of the box offices, your last resort is the rush line. 

Rush seats become available when people decide not to exchange tickets like I described above and simply just don’t show up. Remember, the festival's goal is to make sure that every seat in a theater is sold. The earlier you get in line the better. If the film is *HUGE* you want to get there at least 3 hours before the film starts. 

For midnight screenings the line will be crazy long, but it probably has a lot of people rushing a 9:00pm or 9:30pm screening. Once those people leave, you should be close to the front of the line. Make sure you are in the rush line (not the ticket holders line) and confirm which line you are in with a volunteer. The Ryerson seats over 1200 people so the odds are good if you are at the front of the line you've got a shot at a seat but there is no guarantee that seats will be available.

3) Your last option is to catch a repeat screening. 

The atmosphere is more relaxed than the midnight screenings and there is always a chance that some of the talent is still in town to do a Q&A.