Each year, TIFF Rising Stars showcases new Canadian and international acting talent during the Toronto International Film Festival — placing the emphasis on the next generation poised for success.
The actors who are selected for the programme are immersed in a series of public events and private industry meetings during the Festival. They undertake professional development with international casting directors, filmmakers, producers, and industry executives. The actors are also front-row centre at some of the biggest red-carpet events at the Festival. TIFF Rising Stars alumni include Stephan James, Tatiana Maslany, and Sarah Gadon.
What’s Included
Eligibility
The TIFF Rising Stars programme is open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are 20–40 years old.
Submission Guidelines
Materials Applicants must provide the following materials in support of their application:
Clip and Video Submission Protocol All clips and the video self-interview must be submitted electronically as a video file through the TIFF Rising Stars application form. NOTE: One of the film clips should be from the film that has been submitted to the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival (if applicable); the other clip can be from a previous feature, short film, or TV show in which the applicant had a principal role. Please read the following before you submit the link to your clips:
IMPORTANT: TIFF takes applicants’ confidentiality seriously. Video files will not be shared with any third parties. Access to TIFF Rising Stars clips and applications is limited to the TIFF Rising Stars programming team and jury members. While in TIFF’s possession, all clips are securely stored. No duplication of the clips is permitted.
Video Self-Interview Applicants will need to answer three questions in a video self-interview. The maximum length of the entire video should be no longer than three minutes.
Selection Process
Each submission to TIFF Rising Stars is carefully reviewed by a pre-selection committee comprising up to three members of the TIFF Industry programming team. A shortlist of candidates will then be presented to a jury that may include members of the TIFF Industry, Festival, and Audience and Community programming teams. Using an established set of criteria, the jury will convene to review and deliberate each application to collectively determine programme participants.
Questions? Contact us at industry@tiff.net.
