Toronto International Film Festival – TIFF Kids

We’ve all heard of the Toronto International Film Festival. Did you know that TIFF has a Kids festival as well? It was formerly known as Sprockets.

Now in its 16th year, TIFF Kids 2013 features 117 films, 29 features and 88 shorts, representing 40 countries. The countries include Germany, Australia, India, China, The Netherlands, Norway, Iran, Mexico, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Azerbaijan amongst others.

Think of all the talent and prestige that you’ve come to love from the Toronto International Film Festival, but for kids. Some of the TIFF Kids presentations include in-person appearances by filmmakers and special guests who engage the audience by introducing their films and answering questions from the audience following the screening.

This year marks a first-time partnership with Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street. Attendees can enjoy a mascot meet-and-greet, a free screening of Elmo’s Alphabet Challenge, and workshops taking place on the final weekend of the Festival.

In addition to the many wonderful films, TIFF Kids also has many activities for children as well.

After a wildly successful debut it 2012, digiPlaySpace™ is back this year, open until April 21. It is an indoor adventure playground where kids control screens with amazingly interactive installations, learning-centric games, mobile apps, creative tools and hands-on workshops from internationally acclaimed children’s artists.

Highlights from the digiPlaySpace include the world premiere of Weather Worlds, an interactive ecosystem where kids are given the power to control the elements with their bodies; wild snowstorms, twisty tornadoes or floor-shaking earthquakes can all be created with a flick of the wrist.

There’s also the world premiere of Touch Circuits, where kids can make music, move a robotic arm, and control a video-game using hand movements.

There is Body Paint, where children use their bodies as paintbrushes. As well as the North American premiere of Please Do not Feed the Bugs where families are invited into a virtual ecosystem made up of strange, insect-like creatures that are alarmingly aware of their surroundings and all have their own distinct personalities: some are hyperactive, others are timid, curious, and they all react in different ways to obstacles such as people and objects, or to squishing. These are only a few of the many amazing activities for kids and adults alike to enjoy.

Entry to the TIFF Kids digiPlaySpace is $8, or $5 with a paid screening ticket to the TIFF Kids International Film Festival or Comic Book Heroes programme. Discounts apply for TIFF Members.

If you’re in the Toronto area anytime between now and April 21st you MUST check out TIFF Kids.

As an added incentive, they have generously offered our awesome readers a chance to win two family 4 packs of tickets to see Ernest and Celestine at 10:15am on Saturday, April 20 and Loot Bag: Destination Imagination at 12:45 on Saturday, April 20.

To enter, simply leave a comment below with which film you’re interested in checking out and what you love about TIFF Kids. Be sure to share this post on your social media channels. Winners will be announced this Thursday.

To recap:

What: The TIFF Kids International Film Festival

Where: TIFF Bell Lightbox is located at Reitman Square on the north-west corner of King and John Streets (350 King Street West), TIFF Bell Lightbox occupies an entire city block in the heart of Toronto’s media and entertainment district. All spaces, including the cinemas, are wheelchair accessible to the public

When: From April 9 through April 21.

How much: Prices range from Adult $12, Student/Senior $9.50 and Children (12 and under) $8.50. Opening Night $25.00 and Closing Night $15.00 per person. TIFF Kids 10 packs are available for $75.00 (valid for digiPlaySpace and film tickets). Entry to the TIFF Kids digiPlaySpace is $8 or $5 with paid screening ticket to the TIFF Kids International Film Festival and Comic Book Heroes programme, discounts apply for TIFF Members. Some activities are free.

For more information on screenings and activities, or to purchase tickets, please visit tiff.net/kids call 416-599- TIFF (8433) or 1-800-599-TIFF, or visit the Steve & Rashmi Gupta Box Office at TIFF Bell Lightbox.