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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 12pm–5pm, at 416-599-2033 or toll-free at 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 12pm–5pm, at 416-599-2023 or toll-free at 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 12pm–5pm, at 416-599-2023 or toll-free at 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
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 loss.How does it work? Amplifies the film sound through headphones.
What device is use? Wireless 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.
Audio Description
Who is it for? Blind and partially sighted people.How does it work? Narrates description of action on the screen through headphones.
What device is use? Wireless 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 hearing.How 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 hearing.How 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.
To access assistive devices, visit the Box Office at the venue of your screening. Please note, a valid piece of ID may be required.
Refer to the following for an up-to-date list of films with: audio description, closed captions and open captions..
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.
Quiet Spaces and Sensory Bags
During the Festival, a designated Quiet Space is available in Meeting Room 1 on the fourth floor of TIFF Lightbox and in the basement at the Industry Centre. KultureCity Sensory Bags with noise-cancelling headphones, fidget tools, and verbal cue cards are available at TIFF Lightbox and Scotiabank Theatre via the Box Office.
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 50 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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A Lobby Pass grants a Festival-goer and their companion (if applicable) access to a designated waiting area, available at every indoor Festival venue. Please note Companion Passes are no longer offered, but a Lobby Pass includes access for the passholder and one companion.
Lobby Passes can be requested from now until the end of the Festival by anyone who has an accessibility consideration that limits their ability to stand in a lineup at a venue. Access to the designated waiting area is granted to the passholder and their companion upon the presentation of a Lobby Pass and a valid ticket or Official Pass (Industry, Media, Guest) to a TIFF Front of House Representative. Please note that the nature of the waiting areas vary by venue, and space may be limited.
Festival ticket holders can request a Lobby Pass via email at customerrelations@tiff.net, and Industry Delegates can email registration@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 captions, open captions, or audio description. 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). Alternatively, visit Customer Relations in person at our Box Office at 350 King Street West. Please note that while open caption screenings will be marked as such at the time of the on-sale, audio description and closed captions will be confirmed only once the films are delivered to TIFF and on a rolling basis in the lead-up to the Festival.