The Toronto Film Festival has changed its controversial policy on face masks after much was spoken about it for its upcoming edition.

According to the new regulations, TIFF will now have festival attendees wear face masks during all in-person movie viewing at its Bell Lightbox multiplex.&nbsp;

After there was a surge in COVID-19 cases in Ontario, the fest organisers took a turn for the new regulations making it mandatory to wear masks. Earlier, they <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-Toronto-Film-Festival-2020-Attendees-fear-it-could-act-as-coronavirus-superspreader-326169">did not make it mandatory</a> for attendees to wear face coverings "when seated in-cinema."

In a statement, the festival said, "...Due to recent public health reports indicating that there has been an increase in COVID cases in the GTA, we have made the decision that for the safety, comfort and peace-of-mind of our audiences, TIFF Bell Lightbox will close its concession stands, thereby eliminating a point of contact for patrons.”

"As no food or beverage is being consumed, TIFF will require that audience members’ masks remain in place for the entirety of the time they are in TIFF Bell Lightbox," TIFF added.

The Toronto Film Festival has changed its controversial policy on face masks after much was spoken about it for its upcoming edition. According to the new regulations, TIFF will now have festival attendees wear face masks during all in-person movie viewing at its Bell Lightbox multiplex.

The Toronto Film Festival has changed its controversial policy on face masks after much was spoken about it for its upcoming edition. According to the new regulations, TIFF will now have festival attendees wear face masks during all in-person movie viewing at its Bell Lightbox multiplex. After there was a surge in COVID-19 cases in Ontario, the fest organisers took a turn for the new regulations making it mandatory to wear masks. Earlier, they did not make it mandatory for attendees to wear face coverings "when seated in-cinema." In a statement, the festival said, "...Due to recent public health reports indicating that there has been an increase in COVID cases in the GTA, we have made the decision that for the safety, comfort and peace-of-mind of our audiences, TIFF Bell Lightbox will close its concession stands, thereby eliminating a point of contact for patrons.” "As no food or beverage is being consumed, TIFF will require that audience members’ masks remain in place for the entirety of the time they are in TIFF Bell Lightbox," TIFF added.

Toronto Film Festival 2020: Organisers reverse controversial face mask policy

The Toronto Film Festival that is currently going on is getting a flak for its relaxed approach while the world is dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. While the Venice Film Festival and major US cinema chains that are currently operational have made wearing masks inside the premises mandatory, TIFF has reportedly not mandated the same.&nbsp;

TIFF is currently offering both in-person and virtual screenings and has adopted a more relaxed stance that has made masks mandatory in only TIFF Bell Lightbox venue but not "when seated in-cinema."

Refuting this, the TIFF organisers said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter that they are strictly following the advise of public health experts, which limits the Bell Lightbox venue to 50 socially distanced patrons per screen, among other safety precautions.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-Check-out-top-10-films-to-watch-at-Toronto-Film-Festival-2020-325870" hreflang="en">Check out top 10 films to watch at Toronto Film Festival 2020</a>

Infectious disease experts warn that beyond TIFF screenings, the social nature of the fest could increase the risks of COVID-19 transmission. "The reason people want to go is for interaction. [So] you have tension already," says Thomas Tenkate, associate professor of occupational and public health at Ryerson University in Toronto.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/oscars-academy-sets-new-diversity-standards-for-best-picture-contenders-326120" hreflang="en">Oscars Academy sets new diversity standards for Best Picture contenders</a>

Among many who feel that the film festival could act as a “super spreader” because of the laid-back approach, Canadian actress Ramona Pringle, a TIFF regular who is also director of Ryerson University’s Transmedia Zone, said, "Unfortunately, I fear we’ve tumbled into this situation where you could have one of those superspreader events because people are in a confined space, which very likely could be a movie theater."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-Cate-Blanchett-promotes-eco-fashion-as-she-repeats-outfits-at-Venice-Film-Festival-325863" hreflang="en">Cate Blanchett promotes eco fashion as she repeats outfits at Venice Film Festival</a>

The Toronto Film Festival that is currently going on is getting a flak for its relaxed approach while the world is dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. While the Venice Film Festival and major US cinema chains that are currently operational have made wearing masks inside the premises mandatory, TIFF has reportedly not mandated the same.

The Toronto Film Festival that is currently going on is getting a flak for its relaxed approach while the world is dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. While the Venice Film Festival and major US cinema chains that are currently operational have made wearing masks inside the premises mandatory, TIFF has reportedly not mandated the same. TIFF is currently offering both in-person and virtual screenings and has adopted a more relaxed stance that has made masks mandatory in only TIFF Bell Lightbox venue but not "when seated in-cinema." Refuting this, the TIFF organisers said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter that they are strictly following the advise of public health experts, which limits the Bell Lightbox venue to 50 socially distanced patrons per screen, among other safety precautions. Check out top 10 films to watch at Toronto Film Festival 2020 Infectious disease experts warn that beyond TIFF screenings, the social nature of the fest could increase the risks of COVID-19 transmission. "The reason people want to go is for interaction. [So] you have tension already," says Thomas Tenkate, associate professor of occupational and public health at Ryerson University in Toronto. Oscars Academy sets new diversity standards for Best Picture contenders Among many who feel that the film festival could act as a “super spreader” because of the laid-back approach, Canadian actress Ramona Pringle, a TIFF regular who is also director of Ryerson University’s Transmedia Zone, said, "Unfortunately, I fear we’ve tumbled into this situation where you could have one of those superspreader events because people are in a confined space, which very likely could be a movie theater." Cate Blanchett promotes eco fashion as she repeats outfits at Venice Film Festival

Toronto Film Festival 2020: Attendees fear it could act as 'coronavirus superspreader'

Kicking off from September 10, Toronto virtual market offers some hope for the film industry. &nbsp;With many theatres still shuttered around the world, strong presales for in-development titles to hit theatres in 2021 or 2022 offers hope.&nbsp;

TIFF, which will allow only Canadian citizens to attend this year, is typically packed with big commercial films and award hopefuls.&nbsp;

"There hasn’t been a market that we haven’t bought at since COVID started, and we don’t expect TIFF to be any different," says Neon CEO Tom Quinn, who bought Spencer, Pablo Larraín’s Princess Diana feature starring Kristen Stewart, in Cannes.&nbsp;

And the streaming platforms including new kids on the block Disney+, HBO Max and Apple+.

Check out the list of some film titles that could do well:

&nbsp;'Bruised' 
Director Halle Berry 
Cast Halle Berry

Halle Berry’s directorial debut, in which she stars as a disgraced MMA fighter trying to regain her place in the cage and the affections of her distant son, could tap into the underdog appeal of Darren Aronofsky’s 2008 TIFF hit ‘The Wrestler’.

'Concrete Cowboy' 
Director Ricky Staub 
Cast Caleb McLaughlin, Idris Elba, Jharrel Jerome

This is a father-son drama with horses. ‘Stranger Things’ star McLaughlin breaks out as a brooding teen caught between a life of crime and the vibrant urban-cowboy community to which his estranged father (Elba) belongs.

'The Duke' 
Director Roger Michell 
Cast Jim Broadbent, Helen Mirren, Fionn Whitehead 
Michell’s latest has "feel-good, adult-skewing hit" written all over it. Broadbent stars in the true story of a 60-year-old cab driver who stole Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London and sent a ransom note saying he would return it only if the government did more to help the elderly. 
&nbsp; 
'Good Joe Bell' 
Director Reinaldo Marcus Green 
Cast Mark Wahlberg, Reid Miller, Connie Britton, Gary Sinise 
The Oscar-winning writers of Brokeback Mountain tell the true story of a father’s walk across the country to raise awareness about the harms of bullying. In a best actor contender role, Wahlberg plays the father of a teen who suffers brutal homophobic taunting.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/the-disciple-to-pieces-of-a-woman-films-chasing-top-prize-at-venice-film-festival-324323">'The Disciple' to 'Pieces of a Woman': Films chasing top prize at Venice Film Festival</a>

'I Am Greta' 
Director Nathan Grossman 
Cast Greta Thunberg

A strong awards contender, this Hulu co-produced doc follows teenage environmental advocate Thunberg, whose activism captured the world’s attention in 2019 and made her Time magazine’s Person of the Year.

'I Care A Lot' 
Director J Blakeson 
Cast Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage, Eiza González, Dianne Wiest

The film centers on a legal conservator (Pike) who defrauds elderly cli- ents and runs afoul of a gangster (Dinklage). Gone Girl’s Pike stars as the ice-cool and unscrupulous profiteer.

'The Making Of' 
Director Ed Zwick 
Cast Richard Gere, Diane Keaton, Blake Lively, Lin-Manuel Miranda

Based on the star power and premise, this romantic comedy aims to please both Hollywood insiders and a broader audience. In their first teaming since 1977’s ‘Looking for Mr. Goodbar’, Gere and Keaton portray a long-married filmmaker couple whose fabled love story is getting the cinematic treatment, with Blake Lively and Lin-Manuel Miranda playing their younger selves.

'Run Hide Fight' 
Director Kyle Rankin 
Cast Isabel May, Radha Mitchell, Thomas Jane, Treat Williams

One of the few straight-up action thrillers on offer in Toronto, Run Hide Fight sees May, of Netflix teen-friendship sitcom Alexa &amp; Katie, cast against type as a 17-year-old forced to fight for her life against a group of live- streaming school shooters.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/venice-film-festival-2020-first-ever-gujarati-film-vying-for-top-prize-325629">Venice Film Festival 2020: First-ever Gujarati film vying for top prize</a>

'And Tomorrow the Entire World' 
Director Julia von Heinz 
Cast Mala Emde, Noah Saavedra

German-language dramas can be a hard sell, but the ripped-from-the-headlines feel of helmer/co-writer von Heinz’s story, about a young woman who joins Antifa — the activist group demonized by Donald Trump in his reelection bid — could make it a winner for art house buyers.

'Pieces of a Woman' 
Director Kornél Mundruczó 
Cast Vanessa Kirby, Shia LaBeouf, Ellen Burstyn

From Hungarian director Mundruczó (White God), this intense drama stars LaBeouf and The Crown’s Kirby as a couple reeling — in very different ways — from the death of an infant. Martin Scorsese recently came on as an executive producer of the film, which is taking its North American bow after a Venice world premiere.

Kicking off from September 10, Toronto virtual market offers some hope for the film industry. With many theatres still shuttered around the world, strong presales for in-development titles to hit theatres in 2021 or 2022 offers hope.

Kicking off from September 10, Toronto virtual market offers some hope for the film industry. With many theatres still shuttered around the world, strong presales for in-development titles to hit theatres in 2021 or 2022 offers hope. TIFF, which will allow only Canadian citizens to attend this year, is typically packed with big commercial films and award hopefuls. "There hasn’t been a market that we haven’t bought at since COVID started, and we don’t expect TIFF to be any different," says Neon CEO Tom Quinn, who bought Spencer, Pablo Larraín’s Princess Diana feature starring Kristen Stewart, in Cannes. And the streaming platforms including new kids on the block Disney+, HBO Max and Apple+. Check out the list of some film titles that could do well: 'Bruised' Director Halle Berry Cast Halle Berry Halle Berry’s directorial debut, in which she stars as a disgraced MMA fighter trying to regain her place in the cage and the affections of her distant son, could tap into the underdog appeal of Darren Aronofsky’s 2008 TIFF hit ‘The Wrestler’. 'Concrete Cowboy' Director Ricky Staub Cast Caleb McLaughlin, Idris Elba, Jharrel Jerome This is a father-son drama with horses. ‘Stranger Things’ star McLaughlin breaks out as a brooding teen caught between a life of crime and the vibrant urban-cowboy community to which his estranged father (Elba) belongs. 'The Duke' Director Roger Michell Cast Jim Broadbent, Helen Mirren, Fionn Whitehead Michell’s latest has "feel-good, adult-skewing hit" written all over it. Broadbent stars in the true story of a 60-year-old cab driver who stole Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London and sent a ransom note saying he would return it only if the government did more to help the elderly. 'Good Joe Bell' Director Reinaldo Marcus Green Cast Mark Wahlberg, Reid Miller, Connie Britton, Gary Sinise The Oscar-winning writers of Brokeback Mountain tell the true story of a father’s walk across the country to raise awareness about the harms of bullying. In a best actor contender role, Wahlberg plays the father of a teen who suffers brutal homophobic taunting. 'The Disciple' to 'Pieces of a Woman': Films chasing top prize at Venice Film Festival 'I Am Greta' Director Nathan Grossman Cast Greta Thunberg A strong awards contender, this Hulu co-produced doc follows teenage environmental advocate Thunberg, whose activism captured the world’s attention in 2019 and made her Time magazine’s Person of the Year. 'I Care A Lot' Director J Blakeson Cast Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage, Eiza González, Dianne Wiest The film centers on a legal conservator (Pike) who defrauds elderly cli- ents and runs afoul of a gangster (Dinklage). Gone Girl’s Pike stars as the ice-cool and unscrupulous profiteer. 'The Making Of' Director Ed Zwick Cast Richard Gere, Diane Keaton, Blake Lively, Lin-Manuel Miranda Based on the star power and premise, this romantic comedy aims to please both Hollywood insiders and a broader audience. In their first teaming since 1977’s ‘Looking for Mr. Goodbar’, Gere and Keaton portray a long-married filmmaker couple whose fabled love story is getting the cinematic treatment, with Blake Lively and Lin-Manuel Miranda playing their younger selves. 'Run Hide Fight' Director Kyle Rankin Cast Isabel May, Radha Mitchell, Thomas Jane, Treat Williams One of the few straight-up action thrillers on offer in Toronto, Run Hide Fight sees May, of Netflix teen-friendship sitcom Alexa & Katie, cast against type as a 17-year-old forced to fight for her life against a group of live- streaming school shooters. Venice Film Festival 2020: First-ever Gujarati film vying for top prize 'And Tomorrow the Entire World' Director Julia von Heinz Cast Mala Emde, Noah Saavedra German-language dramas can be a hard sell, but the ripped-from-the-headlines feel of helmer/co-writer von Heinz’s story, about a young woman who joins Antifa — the activist group demonized by Donald Trump in his reelection bid — could make it a winner for art house buyers. 'Pieces of a Woman' Director Kornél Mundruczó Cast Vanessa Kirby, Shia LaBeouf, Ellen Burstyn From Hungarian director Mundruczó (White God), this intense drama stars LaBeouf and The Crown’s Kirby as a couple reeling — in very different ways — from the death of an infant. Martin Scorsese recently came on as an executive producer of the film, which is taking its North American bow after a Venice world premiere.

Check out top 10 films to watch at Toronto Film Festival 2020

The Toronto Film Festival has new plans for this year’s edition, given there are many restrictions owing to the pandemic.&nbsp;

Running from September 10-19 this year, TIFF will not only have digital screenings but also drive-in and open-air screenings of selected films for the viewers.

The indoor movie theatres will run on reduced capacity.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/toronto-film-festival-priyanka-chopra-anurag-kashyap-nicole-kidman-among-ambassadors-for-a-downsized-edition-308403">Toronto Film Festival: Priyanka Chopra, Anurag Kashyap, Nicole Kidman among ambassadors for a downsized edition</a>

The organisers also announced that TIFF’s Bell Digital Cinema platform for general public screening of movies selected for the 2020 edition will be geo-blocked for Canada.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/kaithi-jersey-and-others-to-screen-at-international-indian-toronto-film-festival-317923">'Kaithi', 'Jersey' and others to screen at International Indian Toronto Film Festival</a>

TIFF co-heads Cameron Bailey and Joana Vicente, having already signaled a hybrid offering of digital and in-person screenings for their September event, revealed plans to show the public around 50 programmed films at five locations in the city.

In a statement, the festival said, "At the drive-ins and open-air cinema, audiences can expect the same high-quality viewing experience as in past years.”

The open air cinema screenings will cost two people $38.00 for a ‘lawn pod’.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/toronto-film-festival-2020-kate-winslet-to-receive-tribute-actor-award-313924">Toronto Film Festival 2020: Kate Winslet to receive Tribute Actor Award</a>

The Toronto Film Festival has new plans for this year’s edition, given there are many restrictions owing to the pandemic. Running from September 10-19 this year, TIFF will not only have digital screenings but also drive-in and open-air screenings of selected films for the viewers.

The Toronto Film Festival has new plans for this year’s edition, given there are many restrictions owing to the pandemic. Running from September 10-19 this year, TIFF will not only have digital screenings but also drive-in and open-air screenings of selected films for the viewers. The indoor movie theatres will run on reduced capacity. Toronto Film Festival: Priyanka Chopra, Anurag Kashyap, Nicole Kidman among ambassadors for a downsized edition The organisers also announced that TIFF’s Bell Digital Cinema platform for general public screening of movies selected for the 2020 edition will be geo-blocked for Canada. 'Kaithi', 'Jersey' and others to screen at International Indian Toronto Film Festival TIFF co-heads Cameron Bailey and Joana Vicente, having already signaled a hybrid offering of digital and in-person screenings for their September event, revealed plans to show the public around 50 programmed films at five locations in the city. In a statement, the festival said, "At the drive-ins and open-air cinema, audiences can expect the same high-quality viewing experience as in past years.” The open air cinema screenings will cost two people $38.00 for a ‘lawn pod’. Toronto Film Festival 2020: Kate Winslet to receive Tribute Actor Award

Toronto Film Festival 2020 to feature drive-in, open-air screenings

Bollywood stars Priyanka Chopra and filmmaker Anurag Kashyap have been invited as the ambassadors for this year's Toronto International Film festival. The two are part of 50 other celebrities who have been invited for a toned-down version of TIFF 2020. 
 
The festival, slated to run from September 10 to September 19, will be opting for digital screenings and virtual red carpets for the first time due to the coronavirus pandemic, making it "tailored to fit the moment". 
 
Chopra and Kashyap will join Oscar winners and celebrated international names including filmmakers Martin Scorsese, Alfonso Cuaron, Taika Waititi, Ava DuVernay, Rian Johnson, Denis Villeneuve, and actors Nicole Kidman, Nadine Labaki, Riz Ahmed, Isabelle Huppert, Zhang Ziyi to help TIFF deliver a strong gala this year, the organisers said in a press statement. 
 
In its 45th edition, the festival plans to screen 50 films during its first five days in physical theatres keeping in mind the social distancing norms. 
 
Physical screenings will need approval from the health authorities of the city as it is dependent on the province's reopening framework to ensure that festival venues and workplaces practice, meet, and exceed public health guidelines. 
Festival-goers can also opt for drive-ins to experience cinema. 
 
For the first time in its history, TIFF will launch a digital platform for the festival, hoping to connect with audiences beyond Toronto by hosting digital screenings, as well as numerous talks and special events. 
 
"We could never have anticipated the global seismic changes we would be facing in 2020. We tapped into the original spirit of the Festival from when it began in 1976 as our guiding light. The distilled edition of TIFF 2020 reflects a deep love of film, passion for our loyal audiences, commitment to the industry, and a whole lot of heart," said Joana Vicente, executive director and co-head, TIFF. 
 
'Ammonite', directed by Francis Lee (UK); 'Another Round', from director Thomas Vinterberg (Denmark); 'Bruised', the debut film from director Halle Berry (US); 'Concrete Cowboys' by filmmaker Ricky Staub (US); 'Fauna', from director Nicolas Pereda (Mexico/Canada); 'Good Joe Bell' by director Reinaldo Marcus Green (US); 'Spring Blossom', the debut film by director Suzanne Lindon (France); and 'True Mothers' by director Naomi Kawase (Japan) are among the festival line-up. 
 
The festival's annual TIFF Tribute Awards event, which acknowledges and celebrates outstanding contributors in the film industry, is going virtual this year as well. 
 
Screenings for the press and industry will also move online.

A number of international cultural events, including Cannes and Tribeca film festivals, had to be cancelled this year due to the pandemic.

Bollywood stars Priyanka Chopra and filmmaker Anurag Kashyap have been invited as the ambassadors for this year's Toronto International Film festival. The two are part of 50 other celebrities who have been invited for a toned-down version of TIFF 2020.

Bollywood stars Priyanka Chopra and filmmaker Anurag Kashyap have been invited as the ambassadors for this year's Toronto International Film festival. The two are part of 50 other celebrities who have been invited for a toned-down version of TIFF 2020. The festival, slated to run from September 10 to September 19, will be opting for digital screenings and virtual red carpets for the first time due to the coronavirus pandemic, making it "tailored to fit the moment". Chopra and Kashyap will join Oscar winners and celebrated international names including filmmakers Martin Scorsese, Alfonso Cuaron, Taika Waititi, Ava DuVernay, Rian Johnson, Denis Villeneuve, and actors Nicole Kidman, Nadine Labaki, Riz Ahmed, Isabelle Huppert, Zhang Ziyi to help TIFF deliver a strong gala this year, the organisers said in a press statement. In its 45th edition, the festival plans to screen 50 films during its first five days in physical theatres keeping in mind the social distancing norms. Physical screenings will need approval from the health authorities of the city as it is dependent on the province's reopening framework to ensure that festival venues and workplaces practice, meet, and exceed public health guidelines. Festival-goers can also opt for drive-ins to experience cinema. For the first time in its history, TIFF will launch a digital platform for the festival, hoping to connect with audiences beyond Toronto by hosting digital screenings, as well as numerous talks and special events. "We could never have anticipated the global seismic changes we would be facing in 2020. We tapped into the original spirit of the Festival from when it began in 1976 as our guiding light. The distilled edition of TIFF 2020 reflects a deep love of film, passion for our loyal audiences, commitment to the industry, and a whole lot of heart," said Joana Vicente, executive director and co-head, TIFF. 'Ammonite', directed by Francis Lee (UK); 'Another Round', from director Thomas Vinterberg (Denmark); 'Bruised', the debut film from director Halle Berry (US); 'Concrete Cowboys' by filmmaker Ricky Staub (US); 'Fauna', from director Nicolas Pereda (Mexico/Canada); 'Good Joe Bell' by director Reinaldo Marcus Green (US); 'Spring Blossom', the debut film by director Suzanne Lindon (France); and 'True Mothers' by director Naomi Kawase (Japan) are among the festival line-up. The festival's annual TIFF Tribute Awards event, which acknowledges and celebrates outstanding contributors in the film industry, is going virtual this year as well. Screenings for the press and industry will also move online. A number of international cultural events, including Cannes and Tribeca film festivals, had to be cancelled this year due to the pandemic.

Toronto Film Festival: Priyanka Chopra, Anurag Kashyap, Nicole Kidman among ambassadors for a downsized edition

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Toronto Film Festival 2020: Organisers reverse controversial face mask policy

Toronto Film Festival 2020: Attendees fear it could act as 'coronavirus superspreader'

Check out top 10 films to watch at Toronto Film Festival 2020

Toronto Film Festival 2020 to feature drive-in, open-air screenings

Toronto Film Festival: Priyanka Chopra, Anurag Kashyap, Nicole Kidman among ambassadors for a downsized edition