TIFF Goes Digital This Year With A More Sustainable Marketing Strategy

If you’re looking for something to do in the GTA this weekend, The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is the place to be. If you don’t live in Toronto or are away during the festivities, do not fret because there’s plenty of ways you can take part in the festivities without physically being there.

This year is different in that TIFF decided to use a live streaming service, TIFF Short Cuts Re/Mix, to garner international interest. On September 16, it gave all interested parties 24 hours access to stream a handful of short movies without having to leave their home for a minimal fee of $10. TIFF Short Cuts Re/Mix contained 9 short films, including El Adios and The Call. 4 Canadian shorts also made it into the program: Boxing, The Ballad of Immortal Joe, Kokom and Bacon & God’s Wrath. Unfortunately the sale was only on for 1 day, but we will definitely know what to look for next year.

Another thing that is different about TIFF this year is its use of social networks to promote festivities, trailers and the happenings at TIFF Bell LightBox. They are also active on Periscope, a live streaming app that is owned by Twitter, which allows users to follow TIFFs live-steaming activities throughout the year.

If you are one of the lucky ones to be in Toronto during TIFF, remember that it is a selfie-friendly festival. The best place for a fan to see their favourite actors is at the Roy Thomson Hall galas. When the stars get out of their limos they typically go to sign autographs. Also, check out the Princess of Wales Theatre and the Windsor Arms Hotel, which also offer great access for selfies and autograph opportunities.

For businesses, it is a great opportunity to promote yourselves and market your brands to people who can afford to buy it. Free giveaways are a popular practice at TIFF.

To learn more about TIFF and celebrity sightings, we encourage you to follow the following hashtags:

• #TIFF40
• #TIFF
• #TIFF15
• #filmfestival
• #Twitter

Looking for creative digital branding ideas to promote your business during major festivals like TIFF? Contact DMAC to set up a corporate training session with you and your staff. Our team of digital marketing professionals will educate you on how to develop digital and social media marketing campaigns from conception to implementation.