This fall, I had the privilege of attending the Toronto International Film Festival with my MSU peers and faculty. This is the second time I’ve participated in the program and I had a blast! Something I really liked was that TIFF always had something going on. If there was a movie I couldn’t get into, I could count on the fact that there was going to be something else available nearby. In the downtime between screenings and events, it was fun to explore the slice of Toronto where TIFF takes place. There were tons of cool restaurants, food trucks, and small shops that were fun to briefly visit (while running to another rush line). I saw great movies, some of which I definitely would not have seen if it weren’t for the festival and sat in on some fantastic conversations. Having the opportunity to listen to and get insight from people who have been immersed in the film industry for a majority of their careers was so intriguing. I also loved getting to know everyone on the program while waiting in lines, gushing
As someone who is looking to pursue a career in the film and entertainment industry, the insight from networking events and industry conversations was so informative.
I had never been to a film festival of that size before, and being in an environment where so many creatives were coming together to showcase and discuss their projects was so exciting. As someone who is looking to pursue a career in the film and entertainment industry, the insight from networking events and industry conversations was so informative. I also really loved the variety of films I was able to see in the week that we spent in Toronto. Because TIFF is an international film festival, it’s able to premiere and showcase films from around the world, even those that may not have an anticipated release date internationally yet. Having the opportunity to attend film screenings from Chinese, Japanese, French, Italian, English, Mexican, and Canadian filmmakers was a treat. Hearing about their creative processes was also cool because while many had different pathways or approaches to their craft, something evident in each of them was their passion for storytelling.
I think this experience is great because it’s the experience of studying out of the country without being too far from home. Being able to condense this program within a week’s time including travel days is perfect for not missing out on classes and events back on campus. My grandparents are Canadian, so I’ve been to Canada quite a bit, but Toronto felt so similar to pieces of Chicago, Detroit, or Grand Rapids that there were times I’d forget we were in a different country. The “quick” drive makes it deceiving, too. I’m glad I got the opportunity to partake in this program for the past two years!
