Four key days of the upcoming 35th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) are likely to experience a noticeable dip in visitors as they coincide with the Jewish High Holy Days. The festival, regarded as the unofficial kick-off to Hollywood Awards Season, takes place from 9 to 19 September.
Both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur fall during TIFF. The Wrap points out that many industry players and a very large proportion of the festival’s key supporters, its Gold Patrons, are Jewish. This same is true of many of the buyers, sellers, agents, publicists and producers who come to the festival from Los Angeles and New York.
TIFF reportedly had no chance of changing its date as it is sandwiched between the Venice Film Festival and the San Sebastian Film Festival.
Films scheduled to screen on the High Holy Days will also be screened on alternate dates.
