TIFF and Hot Docs partner to welcome youth audiences back to the cinema with Free Passes & Memberships to under-25s

TORONTO — In-person cinema is back with a bang, and TIFF and Hot Docs have partnered to encourage Canadian youth to re-immerse themselves in the cinematic experience. For the first time ever, each organization will offer under-25s new opportunities to engage with their love of film year-round — TIFF with the Under-25 Free Pass and Hot Docs with a free Bronze Membership for under-25s. Both are available as of today.

“I would have loved to have this kind of free access to great films way back when I was under 25,” said Cameron Bailey, TIFF CEO. “Imagine being able to see some of the best new movies and classics from TIFF and Hot Docs for free. Imagine finding something truly inspiring to do with friends and still have money left in your pocket. I’m thrilled we can offer this to young people today.”

Valid until January 31, 2023, the TIFF Under-25 Free Pass offers amazing benefits for pass holders to catch acclaimed films, encouraging them to take advantage of exclusive year-round benefits and be part of a community of up-and-coming film lovers. With the TIFF Under-25 Free Pass, pass holders can enjoy an early ticketing pre-sale for this year’s TIFF Next Wave Film Festival (April 22–24) on March 30, and continue their involvement with TIFF year-round with a host of benefits, including: free tickets to hundreds of screenings of TIFF Cinematheque classics and undiscovered gems; discounted year-round tickets at TIFF Bell Lightbox; early access to tickets for events and screenings; discounts on in-cinema tickets for subscription series; discounts at Concessions and TIFF Shop; access to the Bell Blue Room Members’ Lounge; invitations to special events; and access to purchase single tickets to the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival on Insiders’ Day. For more information and instructions to sign up, please see tiff.net/under25.

“Hot Docs and TIFF not only have shared festival venues for the last decade, we also share the best film-loving audience in the world,” stated Chris McDonald, Hot Docs Co-President. “Out of collective discussions throughout the pandemic, we realized we could combine forces to encourage more young people to return to the cinema, and this initiative was born. It’s the perfect joint gift to the next generation of movie lovers.”

Timed to the return of its in-person festival in April, Hot Docs will expand its popular year-round membership program to offer free Hot Docs Bronze Memberships to youth aged 25 or under (normally priced at $59/year). With a Bronze Membership, budding doc lovers and curious minds from Toronto and beyond will be able to access a range of exclusive benefits and exciting non-fiction programming across Hot Docs Festival, Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, and on Hot Docs at Home — all at no cost. These perks include dozens of free and discounted tickets; advance ordering opportunities and invitations to multiple member screenings year-round at Hot Docs Cinema; special discounts on tickets, passes, and packages at the annual Hot Docs Festival (April 28 – May 8); and free premium streaming access to its nationwide streaming platform, home to a rotating monthly selection of free documentaries and collections curated especially for members. For more information on the new Hot Docs Under-25 Membership, visit hotdocs.ca/membership.