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TIFF stresses 91Ƶzero tolerance91Ƶ policy, plans women91Ƶs rally in #MeToo era

As the Toronto International Film Festival prepares to kick off Thursday, it91Ƶs doing so in a changed landscape .
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A sign bearing the Toronto International Film Festival logo sits on a fork lift as preparations are made for the festival91Ƶs opening night on September 7, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

As the Toronto International Film Festival prepares to kick off Thursday, it91Ƶs doing so in a changed landscape 91Ƶ one organizers have responded to with a few powerful additions to the usual mix of glitz and glam.

With initiatives including the Share Her Journey women91Ƶs rally, a newly created hotline and an emphasis on its code of conduct, TIFF is making it clear it91Ƶs an inclusive and safe space after the tide of sexual misconduct allegations stemming from the Harvey Weinstein scandal last fall.

91ƵWe91Ƶre making sure that everyone who91Ƶs taking part in the festival understands that there91Ƶs a standard of behaviour, that harassment and abuse won91Ƶt be tolerated and that there are repercussions for that,91Ƶ says Cameron Bailey, artistic director of TIFF.

91ƵYou91Ƶre on our ground and there91Ƶs zero tolerance,91Ƶ adds Piers Handling, director and CEO of TIFF.

91ƵYou will not be welcomed back if you violate any of these rules.91Ƶ

This is the first TIFF since the Weinstein scandal last October led to a steady stream of allegations involving many others in the industry and the establishment of the #MeToo and Time91Ƶs Up movements to end abuse.

Weinstein has been a fixture at TIFF in the past, using it for the world premiere of films that went on to Oscar glory, including 91ƵThe King91Ƶs Speech,91Ƶ 91ƵThe Imitation Game91Ƶ and 91ƵLion.91Ƶ

Two misconduct accusations against him, from actresses Mira Sorvino and Montreal91Ƶs Erika Rosenbaum, allegedly took place in Toronto hotel rooms during past TIFFs.

TIFF has always had a zero-tolerance harassment policy and a code of conduct, but this year those elements will be more visible through signage around the festival, says Handling. All delegates must also agree to the code of conduct in their accreditation forms, and the press package includes a reminder of it.

91ƵFor the first time we actually have a hotline, so if anybody feels that they91Ƶve been harassed and they don91Ƶt feel they can approach us, they can go to a third party,91Ƶ he adds.

The hotline 91Ƶ 1-833-265-9835 91Ƶ allows callers to confidentially report wrongdoing or unethical conduct.

Handling notes they91Ƶve taken badges away from delegates in the past but that was 91Ƶmore for bad behaviour.91Ƶ

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Perhaps the biggest symbol of solidarity at this year91Ƶs festival will be seen on Saturday with the rally by TIFF91Ƶs Share Her Journey, a five-year commitment to support women in the industry.

Speakers at the event will include Dr. Stacy L. Smith, founder and director of the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, Oscar-winning actress Geena Davis, and Canadian star Mia Kirshner, who co-founded the #AfterMeToo movement.

91ƵI think that91Ƶs a great way to have a visual of women supporting each other and standing up for what they believe in and standing up against any harassment or any roadblocks in the industry that we have,91Ƶ says Canadian writer-director Jasmin Mozaffari, who is at the festival this year with 91ƵFirecrackers.91Ƶ

Meanwhile, at a pre-rally breakfast, Bailey will pledge TIFF91Ƶs commitment to the 5050x2020 initiative that supports gender parity and inclusion in film festivals.

Such initiatives can have a big impact, say those in the industry.

91ƵI think the most important message that kind of stuff sends is that there are groups now behind this new standard that we all have, which is that kind of Harvey Weinstein-esque behaviour is not OK and if you are going to risk acting like that, then it91Ƶs no longer one or two fringe, really brave women who are going to come out and say something 91Ƶ it91Ƶs a streetful of women,91Ƶ adds Nikki Saltz, winner of TIFF91Ƶs inaugural 2018 Micki Moore Residency for female screenwriters.

This year TIFF has also increased the diversity of its press corps by about 20 per cent, adding up to 200 new journalists from under-represented groups. Inclusion and diversity will also be among the topics TIFF on panels at the TIFF Industry Conference.

Handling notes TIFF has embraced diversity and supported women91Ƶs cinema from the very beginning, through programming, seminars, panels and various programs.

This year91Ƶs overall TIFF lineup has 34 per cent films by women, up from 33 per cent last year.

91ƵWe91Ƶd like it to get to 50 per cent but I think the industry has to actually itself step to the plate,91Ƶ says Handling.

91ƵWe can only go so far. More women have to be behind the camera directing films, and then we91Ƶll show them.91Ƶ

Victoria Ahearn, The Canadian Press

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