Toronto Film Festival to Lose Lead Sponsor Bell After 28 Years

Bell Canada is ending its long-standing sponsorship of the Toronto International Film Festival, Variety has confirmed.

The telecommunications company, a lead sponsor since 1995, will not continue its partnership with TIFF after the festivals 48th edition this year.

Bell has had a terrific partnership with TIFF for the past 28 years, the company said in a statement shared with Variety on Saturday. Were proud of our partnership to help make TIFF a leading global destination for film and to support Canadian content and talent on the world stage.

The statement continued, Earlier this year, we decided that the end of 2023 would be the right time to step back from our partnership with TIFF and opted not to renew our sponsorship in order toinvest in other opportunities that are core to our business. We are confident TIFF will continue to develop and showcase the worlds leading content to inform, educate and entertain the best audience in film.Were grateful to have been a part of it all.

Representatives at TIFF did not respond to Varietys request for comment.

Back in July, TIFF unveiled this years slate of 60 films, representing 70 countries around the world. The 2023 lineup includes Alexander Paynes The Holdovers, Richard Linklaters Hit Man, Kore-eda Hirokazus Monster and Justine Triets Anatomy of a Fall, which premiered at Cannes and won the Palme dOr. Netflix films like George C. Wolfes Rustin, David Yates Pain Hustlers, and Elizabeth Chai VasarhelyiandJimmy Chins Nyad will also screen at the 48th annual festival.

The world premiere of Sylvester Stallones documentary Sly will close the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 16 at Roy Thomson Hall. The festival begins Sept. 7.