The Toronto International Film Festival has banned all official Russian delegations from its 2022 edition following the country’s invasion of Ukraine, but it will welcome work from independent Russian filmmakers into its programming.
“As an arts organization dedicated to transforming the way people see the world through film, we support artists and their freedom of expression. TIFF will continue to include films from independent Russian filmmakers in our programming at the Toronto International Film Festival and year-round at TIFF Bell Lightbox,” festival organizers said in a statement to Variety on Thursday. “TIFF will suspend participation by film organizations and media outlets supported by the Russian state, as well as Russian cultural ambassadors and delegations related to our Festival.”
TIFF organizers also expressed solidarity with those in Ukraine, writing that they seek to amplify voices of Ukrainians during the 2022 festival.
“TIFF stands against the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the declaration of war this signifies. We hope for a swift return to peace and stability in the region and we extend our support to the people of Ukraine and those within Russia who stand against these attacks,” the statement reads. “We will seek to amplify the voices of Ukrainian and independent Russian filmmakers who continue to illuminate our understanding of conflict in the region. Alongside our international colleagues in the film world, our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine and the many Ukrainian artists and film professionals who have travelled to TIFF over the years.”
TIFF’s stance against Russia follows that of the Cannes Film Festival, which announced on Tuesday that it had banned Russian delegations, and the Venice Film Festival, which made a statement in support of Ukraine on Wednesday but decided not to ban Russian filmmakers. All five major Hollywood film studios, including Disney, Sony, Warner Bros., Paramount and Universal, have also protested the Russian invasion of Ukraine by pulling their films from theatrical release in Russia. In addition, Netflix announced on Wednesday that it would pause all of its projects and acquisitions from the country.
The 2022 edition of TIFF is set for Sept. 8-18.