The Toronto International Film Festival attracts a lot more than professional actors when passing through town. It also attracts the ‘TIFFer.’
The annual film festival, which began last Thursday and runs until Sunday, attracts hundreds of onlookers hoping to catch sight of Hollywood celebrities. But TIFFers are a special bunch: they invest an inordinate amount of time camped out, hoping to get autographs, photographs and selfies with the rich and famous.
TIFF fans Felicity and her daughter Kathy Cormier are among the most enthusiastic fans this year.
“I’ve been here (on King Street) since 4:30 am every morning,” Kathy says, laughing. “Mom and I are tired, but we have the first row and get to meet our most favourite people in the world all week!”
The majority of these super-fans all seem to know one another from previous years. Veteran TIFFers use their experience from previous years to stay well ahead in what can be a competitive game – it’s not uncommon to see groups of three or four bragging about how many celebrities they’ve caught.
For safety, festival organizers contract both public and private security firms who team up hand-in-hand with participating members of the Toronto Police.
“We act as safety coordinators while overseeing crowd control,” says the team’s most decorated member, known simply as Sgt. Bill. “If anyone gets out of line I have two guns on me. We all do.”
But so long as TIFFers are following the rules, festival security does everything in their power to help fans get close to Hollywood’s finest.
Through the festival, popular A-listers like Johnny Depp (Black Mass) and Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl) are constantly escorted about and never less than three feet from protection. But surprisingly, even after decades of red carpets, many actors don’t seem to mind the attention. Well, within limits:
“I will sign as many autographs and take as many photos as I can, as long as there is no pushing,” Depp says. “If there is pushing, my man Bill here will take your things and kick you out. So please everyone, be mindful, and thank you…”
See more of our TIFF coverage here.
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