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The opening night screening at the Toronto International Film Festival on Thursday night was briefly interrupted by protestors as director Cameron Bailey was giving his introductory remarks.
Four protestors carrying signs and flashlights came down the center aisle of the Princess of Wales Theatre at TIFF, loudly criticizing the festival’s sponsor RBC (Royal Bank of Canada), chanting that the bank “funds genocide.” Some of the signs held by the protestors read “RBC Off Screen” and “RBC Is Killing Our Future.”
Patrons in the theater largely booed the protestors while Bailey continued to speak, with some shouting back at the protestors “go away.” In one video shared by New York Times reporter Kyle Buchanan on X, Bailey can be heard forcefully saying, “We are here to start the festival. I continue.” The demonstrators reached the front of the stage and spent roughly five minutes in the theater protesting before they were escorted out.
Reps for TIFF did not immediately respond to IndieWire’s request for comment.
The opening night screening in the Princess of Wales Theatre was “Nutcrackers” starring Ben Stiller and directed by David Gordon Green.
RBC is one of TIFF’s “Major Sponsors” alongside Visa and is the Official Bank Partner of the festival. Rogers Communications is the Presenting Sponsor. TIFF began Sept. 5 and runs through Sept. 15.
Film festivals and awards show all year have been the target of protests over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. The Independent Spirit Awards earlier this year were targeted by a protestor blaring a repeating message on a loud speaker. Sundance featured a demonstration of over 100 protestors marching up Main Street in Park City. This summer’s premiere of “Twisters” in Los Angeles was also interrupted by protestors from PETA.
See the videos via Buchanan below:
Reporting by Kate Erbland.
