Sandi Leung experienced her first Toronto International Film Festival red carpet in 2015, where she could easily approach the red carpet and get selfies with celebrities like Eddie Redmayne or Kevin Bacon after a few hours of waiting. However, in recent years, Leung has noticed a significant change. The once open spaces around the festival’s red carpets are now occupied by fan zones and corporate areas that are more challenging to access without being a customer of sponsor brands.
As TIFF gears up for its 50th edition, premiering films like Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and the third Knives Out installment, meeting stars like Ryan Reynolds and Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson requires more perseverance and patience due to the evolving policies and sponsor-driven changes.
The festival’s flagship red carpet at Roy Thomson Hall, known for its grandeur, has seen a transition from open fan spaces to corporate booths, including major sponsors like Rogers and Royal Bank of Canada. These booths offer exclusive experiences for their customers, creating a more controlled environment compared to the past free-for-all access.
With the festival facing challenges such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hollywood strikes, and funding issues, TIFF has introduced fan zones at key venues to manage crowd interactions with stars. The introduction of Ticketmaster passes for entry has streamlined the process, although concerns about demand surges and bot interference remain.
Despite the obstacles, fans like Leung and Tung have adapted by exploring alternative spots outside red carpet venues to catch a glimpse of their favorite celebrities. The changing landscape of TIFF red carpets reflects a shift towards a more structured and sponsor-influenced experience for attendees, balancing the needs of fans and sponsors in a dynamic festival environment.