Accessibility
at TIFF
Here's how we're making it easier to watch 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 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 daily from 10am to 7pm, at 416-599-2033 or 1-888-258-8433.
How we’re making TIFF Bell Lightbox more accessible
Accessible Seating
Accessible seating locations are available in all cinemas at TIFF Bell Lightbox, with access by elevator and escalator.
To book accessible seating, please call our Call Centre, open daily from 10am to 7pm, at 416-599-2033 or 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 daily from 10am to 7pm at 416-599-2033 or 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
The accessibility features we offer at our cinemas are: Assisted Listening, Descriptive Sound, and Closed Captioning, and Open Captioning on occasion.
Assistive Sound Features
Assisted Listening
Who is it for? Those with hearing lossHow does it work? Amplifies the film sound through headhpones
What device is use? Wirelesss 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 except Cinema 7
Assistive Sound Features
audio_descriptionDescriptive Sound
Who is it for? Blind and partially sighted peopleHow does it work? Narrates description of action on the screen through headphones
What device is use? Wirelesss receiver (and headphones, if requested), which can be requested at Box Office or from Front of House staff
When can it be used? Only designated films formatted for Descriptive Sound. See these films to learn which content is available with Descriptive Sound, or call TIFF's Call Centre at 416-599-2033 or 1-888-258-8433
Assistive Sound Features
closed_captionClosed Captioning
Who is it for? Deaf, deafened, or hard of hearingHow 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
When can it be used? Only designated films formatted for Closed Captions. See these films to learn which films and content is available with Closed Captions
Assistive Sound Features
subtitlesOpen Captioning
Who is it for? Deaf, deafened, or hard of hearingHow does it work? Displays dialogue and audio cues as text onscreen
What device is use? None
When can it be used? Open Captioning is typically only available at In Conversation With... events and Open Air Cinema screenings at TIFF
Please note Descriptive Sound, Closed Captioning, and Open Captioning are not available for all films.
Service and Support Animals
Guide dogs and service animals are welcome in all public spaces at TIFF Bell 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/event. They offer discussions, resource suggestions, friendly chats, and are located at the 4th floor, Room 1, TIFF Bell Lightbox, from 11 am - 3 pm and 6 pm - 10 pm during the Festival (details on page 6 of TIFF Festival Venue Accessibility Guide (PDF | Word). Not available year-round unless specified on specific film/event pages.
Website Accessibility
We’re working toward the digital accessibility standards laid out by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Level AA as per the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
Many films on digital TIFF Bell Lightbox include a Closed Captions (CC) option, in addition to English subtitles, which are available for all foreign-language films.
See list of films that are available with subtitles and/or closed captions.
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.
Visit this TIFF Bell Lightbox & Festival Venue Accessibility Grid (PDF | Word) for an overview of accessibility features and accommodations available by venue. Or refer to the TIFF Festival Venue Accessibility Guide (PDF | Word) to learn more about general access and visitor accommodations available at the Festival.
- What are lobby passes?
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Lobby passes can be requested by any Festival ticket holder who has an accessibility consideration that limits their ability to stand in a lineup at a venue. There is a designated waiting area in each venue where a lobby pass may be used. Access to the designated waiting area is granted to the visitor and their companion (if required) upon presentation of a lobby pass to a TIFF Front of House Representative, along with a valid ticket. The nature of the lobby access varies by venue, and space may be limited.
Lobby pass requests will open in mid-August, following Festival ticket on-sale dates. For any questions, please reach out to customerrelations@tiff.net.
- How do I enable closed-captioning on digital TIFF Bell Lightbox?
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For films with closed-captioning, click on the “CC” button in the lower-right corner of the player and select the option that suits your needs. To find accessible screenings on our digital TIFF Bell Lightbox platform, click here.
- How do I find films that have closed-captioning, open captions, or descriptive sound?
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TIFF strives to be accessible to all our patrons and to offer as many films as possible with closed-captioning, open captions, or descriptive sound. 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 Captioning, and Descriptive Sound). To find accessible screenings on our digital platform, click here.