TIFF to host the World Premiere of Guillermo Del Toro's Nightmare Alley on December 1, 2021

TORONTO — TIFF is pleased to announce that it will present the world premiere of Guillermo del Toro’s Nightmare Alley on Wednesday, December 1 at 8pm ET, in conjunction with the red-carpet premiere at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center and a simultaneous screening at the David Geffen Theater at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles. TIFF Bell Lightbox is the exclusive Canadian venue to host this screening of Nightmare Alley from Searchlight Pictures. Immediately following the global screening, a Q&A with the cast and the filmmakers will be streamed live from New York in select cinemas at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Tickets will go on sale starting November 24 for TIFF Members and to the general public on November 25. As this a special one-night-only event, tickets will be limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Shot on location in Toronto, Nightmare Alley is the newest creation from the visionary director, who received Best Director and Best Picture Oscars for his 2017 cinematic triumph The Shape of Water. Films such as Mimic, Blade II, Crimson Peak, The Shape of Water, and TV series The Strain are among the many productions del Toro has made in Toronto since 1997.

Nightmare Alley features Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper as the charismatic but down-on-his-luck Stanton Carlisle, who endears himself to clairvoyant Zeena (Toni Collette) and her has-been mentalist husband Pete (David Strathairn) at a traveling carnival. He crafts a golden ticket to success, using this newly acquired knowledge to grift the wealthy elite of 1940s New York society. With the virtuous Molly (Rooney Mara) loyally by his side, Stanton plots to con a dangerous tycoon (Richard Jenkins) with the aid of a mysterious psychiatrist (Cate Blanchett) who might be his most formidable opponent yet. The film also stars Willem Dafoe, Ron Perlman, Mary Steenburgen, and David Strathairn.

From December 3 to 19, 2021, TIFF Cinematheque screens Guillermo del Toro Presents: Film Noirs from 20th Century Studios — a selection of film noirs, all on archival 35mm prints or in restored presentations. Hand-picked by the director himself, the films include Otto Preminger’s Fallen Angel, Moontide by Fritz Lang and Archie Mayo, Henry Hathaway’s Niagara, Samuel Fuller’s Pickup on South Street, and Jean Negulesco’s Roadhouse. All screenings will take place at TIFF Bell Lightbox. Additional details available at tiff.net/gdtnoir.

COVID-19 health and safety precautions continue at TIFF Bell Lightbox and are a top priority. Masks remain mandatory for all patrons and staff in the cinemas and throughout the building. As of October 15, in step with the province's tiered reopening structure, TIFF increased the capacity limits of its cinemas to 100%, with assigned seating still mandated. While concessions are available, patrons are asked to wear masks while not eating snacks or drinking beverages. Audience members and visitors 12 years of age and over are required to provide Proof of Vaccination, along with government-issued ID, upon arrival at TIFF Bell Lightbox. Additional details are available at tiff.net/covid-19.