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Accessibility at TIFF
Here's how we're making it easier to discover films with us.
TIFF strives to be accessible to all our audiences. We work closely with our accessibility stakeholders to help inform best accessibility practices and to provide welcoming and inclusive film-going experiences.
See TIFF’s Accessibility Policy and Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2022–2026 to learn more about TIFF’s commitments.
We encourage you to review the below information in order to plan your visit in advance and to make the most of your visit and film-going experience.
If you require any of the below information in a different format, please reach out to TIFF’s Call Centre, open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm, at 416-599-2033 or 1-888-258-8433.
How we’re making TIFF Lightbox more accessible
Accessible Seating
Accessible seating locations are available in all cinemas at TIFF Lightbox, with access by elevator and escalator.
To book accessible seating, please call our Call Centre, open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm, at 416-599-2033 or 1-888-258-8433. Seating is limited and cannot be guaranteed; it is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Support Persons and Companion Seating
All support persons are welcome. Support persons will not be charged for a ticket but must have one. Accessible and companion seating must be booked over the phone. Our Call Centre is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm at 416-599-2033 or 1-888-258-8433.
Barrier-free Physical Access
There may be lineups at Box Office, Concessions, or as you enter our cinemas. If you are unable to wait in line, please speak to a TIFF Front of House staff member for assistance.
Lobby Passes are available for the Festival; see page 4 of the TIFF Festival Venue Accessibility Guide (PDF | Word) for more details.
Barrier-free washrooms are also available on every level of our building.
Assistive Devices and Features
The accessibility features we offer for select films, include: Assisted Listening, audio description, and closed captions, and open captions.
Assisted Listening
Who is it for? Those with hearing lossHow does it work? Amplifies the film sound through headhpones
What device is use? Wirelesss receiver with earbud, headphone, or headset. Neck loop option available if requested
When can it be used? Assisted Listening is available for all films and all venues except Cinema 7
Audio description
Who is it for? Blind and partially sighted peopleHow does it work? Narrates description of action on the screen through headphones
What device is use? Wirelesss receiver (and headphones, if requested), which can be requested at Box Office or from Front of House staff
Which content has audio description? See these Year-round and Festival films to learn which content is available with audio description, or call TIFF's Call Centre at 416-599-2033 or 1-888-258-8433
Closed captions
Who is it for? Deaf, deafened, or hard of hearingHow does it work? Displays dialogue and audio cues as text on personal device
What device is use? CaptiView personal viewing device, which can be requested at Box Office or from Front of House staff
Which content has closed captions See these Year-round and Festival films to learn which content is available with open captions, or call TIFF's Call Centre at 416-599-2033 or 1-888-258-8433
Open captions
Who is it for? Deaf, deafened, or hard of hearingHow does it work? Displays dialogue and audio cues as text onscreen
What device is use? None. Open captions are viewable directly on the screen.
Which content has open captions? See these Year-round and Festival films to learn which content is available with open captions, or call TIFF's Call Centre at 416-599-2033 or 1-888-258-8433
Refer to the following for an up-to-date list of films with: audio description, closed captions and open captions.
Sign up to receive periodic email updates about screenings with specific accessibility features.
Service and Support Animals
Guide dogs and service animals are welcome in all public spaces at TIFF Lightbox, including the cinemas. Emotional support animals will be permitted on a discretionary basis. Front of House staff may request that you provide documentation from a regulated health professional confirming the animal is required as per the AODA’s Customer Service Standards. Please let Front of House staff know if your service animal needs water or any assistance.
Content Advisories
Content Advisories are intended to help inform audiences about content they may appreciate knowing about prior to viewing. They are listed, where applicable, for all Festival and year-round programming. You can find a list of applicable content advisories on each film page, directly beneath the film synopsis and above the genre tags.
Active Listeners
Active listeners provide support for attendees dealing with difficult content during or after a film or event, and are available when specified on the related film or event page.
Website Accessibility
We’re working toward the digital accessibility standards laid out by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Level AA as per the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
TIFF has a team focused on having Festival venues that everyone can access. The team work with events coordinators, designers, and others across the company to help ensure that our venues are utilized with accessibility in mind.
For more detailed information, please refer to:
TIFF 2024 General Festival Accessibility Guide (PDF | Word) to learn more about general access and visitor accommodations available at the Festival
Individual Venue Guides which provide specifics such as travel options, accessible restrooms, door measurements, and more
TIFF Lightbox & Festival Venue Accessibility Grid (PDF), a one page checklist of accessibility features and accommodations by venue
- What are lobby passes?
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Lobby passes can be requested by any Festival ticket holder who has an accessibility consideration that limits their ability to stand in a lineup at a venue. There is a designated waiting area in each venue where a lobby pass may be used. Access to the designated waiting area is granted to the visitor and their companion (if required) upon presentation of a lobby pass to a TIFF Front of House Representative, along with a valid ticket. The nature of the lobby access varies by venue, and space may be limited.
Lobby pass requests will open in mid-August, following Festival ticket on-sale dates. For any questions, please reach out to customerrelations@tiff.net.
- How do I find films that have closed-captions, open captions, or audio description?
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TIFF strives to be accessible to all our patrons and to offer as many films as possible with closed-captioning, open captions, or descriptive sound. To find in-person screenings that offer accessible options, please visit tiff.net/films (Festival) or tiff.net/calendar (year-round), open the drop-down menu labelled “Accessibility,” and select the appropriate filter (See films with Closed Captions, Open Captions, and Audio Description).