Lights, Camera, Action - TIFF is coming!

As fall approaches, so does one of my favourite times of the year in Toronto—TIFF. The city always comes alive during the Toronto International Film Festival, and it’s incredible to see how this event has become such a vital part of not just Toronto’s identity but also Canada’s cultural and economic landscape.

TIFF isn’t just about movies; it’s about storytelling, connecting people, and showcasing talent from all corners of the globe. It’s amazing to think about how much the film industry contributes to our economy—creating nearly 14BN to Canada’s GDP and close to 240k jobs, driving significant investments, and providing a platform that elevates Canadian culture on the world stage. Events like TIFF remind us just how crucial this industry is.

One memory that always brings a smile to my face as TIFF rolls around is my first real encounter with filmmaking in Toronto. In 2015 I was walking past RBC Plaza, minding my own business, when I saw what looked like a full-size helicopter crashed outside the building. The sight was so surreal. I stood there, completely amazed by how real it seemed, while everyone else just walked by as if nothing was out of the ordinary. That’s when it hit me: in this city, things like that are almost normal. The magic of film is so deeply ingrained in Toronto’s everyday life that a crashed helicopter outside a major financial building doesn’t even warrant a second glance. I couldn’t help but smile at the whole scene – I then later learned they were filming Suicide Squad.

As TIFF approaches, I’m especially proud that Accenture is once again a sponsor this year. Supporting the arts is about more than just backing creativity—it’s about embracing innovation, diversity, and the power of storytelling. Accenture’s involvement in the film industry goes beyond sponsorship; we’re part of the innovation that transforms how stories are told on screen. Our special effects and digital capabilities help bring some of the most imaginative ideas to life. You can learn more here and see more of our work on Avatar: The Last Airbender, Stranger Things and Foundation

Visual Effects (VFX) for the Film Industry | Accenture.

TIFF is a time to explore, learn, and be inspired. Whether it’s planning my viewing schedule, or soaking up the atmosphere, there’s always something special about this festival. I’m looking forward to another year of incredible films, and being fortunate to see early previews that only TIFF can bring.

What’s your favourite way to experience a movie? I’m a big fan of going for a night out to the cinema with lots of popcorn!

References:

BlogTo: Suicide Squad crashes a helicopter on Bay St. (blogto.com)

Canadian Media Producers: AssociationProfile-2023_Summary-Report.pdf (cmpa.ca)

Accenture Song: https://www.accenture.com/us-en/services/song/visual-effects

Better Man (tiff.net)

Theresa Ebden, MBA Luke Speers Emine Dagasan Meg. Sintzel Naomi Manley-Casimir Siva Naganathan Krish Banerjee Brent Chaters 埃森哲 Pina Sciarra Accenture Song Raynusan Sriskantharajah Warren Downs

About Karen Forward:

Karen is a senior advisor specializing in talent and organization strategy, based in Toronto. She is open to speaking engagements and promises to bring an interactive, insightful session anchored in real world experiences.

The views expressed in this post are Karen’s own and do not represent the opinions or views of any organization or entity. She is a big sharer, so if you would like to quote of use snippets from this post for other purposes, please let her know.