Welcome to Episode 62 of the Gent’s Talk podcast, where we sat with Cameron Bailey. Amidst a highly anticipated September, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) CEO joined us to discuss all things TIFF, including the strike’s impact. We even got some time to talk to the man behind the successful festival and see what it takes to be the CEO of a major international festival.
CEO
Cameron Bailey, an immigrant to Canada, was born in England. He is of Barbadian descent and came to Canada when he was seven. With the traditional immigrant story of parents looking for a better life, he’s always been an outsider. Bailey strives to maintain an outsider’s perspective and believes that’s what keeps him on top of his game. “Most of us are outsiders,” he stated, “if you always feel like an insider, it can limit your perspective.”
It was at university that Bailey uncovered his love for film. He discovered that movies can do a lot more than entertain. “Films can give you insight into the human condition because it’s such an emotive medium,” Cameron mentioned. He believes in the power of film and its ability to change how we think, see the world, and think about ourselves.
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TIFF
Listen as Cameron breaks down the submission process, where the production team goes from watching 8,200+ submitted films to picking around 260 that will be premiered at TIFF. As one can expect, that is a tall order. To our surprise, although painstakingly obvious, TIFF is more than just a two-week ordeal. Bailey explained how TIFF, with the help of TIFF Bell Lightbox, is a year-round undertaking. He laid out his expectations for TIFF Lightbox to be one of the premier destinations in Toronto. If you’re looking for a reason to visit Bell Lightbox, Bailey explained that they showcase classic films all year round on the big screen. He illustrated how watching a movie from the 1800s in a theatre cannot be matched and how Bell Lightbox is excited to provide audience members with that opportunity. “People crave the social energy you get from discovering a new movie together.”
See Also: Gent’s Talk: Ep. 61 – A sit-down w/ James Milonas
What To Watch
With 260 movies available during TIFF, Cameron predicts that The Boy and the Heron and Past Lives will be a couple of the films to keep on the radar. If you’re looking for the entire schedule, click here. Please tune into Episode 62 for the entire conversation with Cameron Bailey. He breaks down (and simplifies) the current strike and its effect on TIFF and the industry. Bailey also talks about AI and streaming services and explains what we, as Canadians, need to do to help Canadian films be more successful.
About Gent’s Talkk
Bulova Canada presents Episode 62 of Gent’s Talk, available for streaming on Youtube, Spotify, Goodpods, iHeartRadio, Apple and Google Podcasts! It was filmed at StartWell Studios in Toronto. You can now catch Seasons 1, 2, & 3 on all Air Canada flights! Your continued support throughout this journey is appreciated. Thank you!
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