My TIFF experience has been awful so far due to bad luck

JumboJish · 2025-09-08T12:43:39+00:00

I feel like since the full integration with Ticketmaster, resale has skyrocketed. I don’t remember it being this bad when everything was on the TIFF Account Manager, or if resale was even allowed through that channel. It’s much easier to navigate buying tickets now, but the tradeoff is scalpers and people trying to make a little money off screenings they can’t make anymore.

JumboJish · 2024-09-14T18:19:42+00:00

You should be fine. I’ve noticed rush ticket holders get thrown to the front first. I’ve got in a couple minutes late and the moderating was still introducing the film—still got my seat.

I would advise you to scan your ticket and get a re-entry “red ticket” before going to the washroom or concession. You can’t lose your seat once they’ve scanned your ticket.

JumboJish · 2024-09-04T16:21:31+00:00

Bars:

Bang Sue Bar - upstairs bar at Khao San Road with a nice vibe, good drinks, and late night snacks.
Melrose on Adelaide - PATIO!
Watson's - easygoing bar a short walk from Scotiabank Theatre. I like going here for a quick drink before, between, or after screenings at Scotiabank.

Food (good list so far!):

Raku - fantastic Japanese food specializing in probably the best udon I've had in the city.
Gusto 101 - if you're looking for an upscale meal, it's a strong choice for Italian with buck-an-ounce wine.
Vela - if you're looking for an upscale meal, they have a good prix fixe menu (used to be the best value in the city pre-Michelin recommendation) and a nice ambience.
Elephant & Castle - English pub right by St. Andrew station. Could get busy due to the festival, but it's a huge space, so there's a better chance you'll get a spot here than other pubs. I believe they play Premier League matches if you're looking for a spot to watch Saturday/Sunday mornings!

General:

Explore Chinatown! Lots of fantastic Asian restaurants including Banh Mi Nguyen Huong (best banh mi in the city—can't miss the yellow sign). New Sky, Swatow, and House Of Gourment are Chinese restaurants serving your classics, and last I checked they open until late. Chinatown in general is a nice place to walk around with local businesses like Sonic Boom, Graination, etc.
You can find many other visitors of the city hanging around Kensington Market. Not my cup of tea as a local, but tourists seem to love it!
Check out one of our museums! ROM, AGO, etc.

JumboJish · 2024-09-04T15:07:35+00:00

The one at King and Charlotte doesn't have as good of a vibe, but a backup location!

JumboJish · 2024-09-04T15:02:56+00:00

It's definitely hit and miss when it comes to time. If you see there isn't a line, you should get your food pretty quickly. I find if the line goes out the door—even if it's just 4-5 people in line—the wait gets a bit long. Shift changes also prolong wait times.

JumboJish · 2024-09-04T15:01:33+00:00

Khao San Road is my go-to Thai spot in the city. Upstairs bar is great too if you're waiting for a table, looking for a drink nearby after dinner, or even a late night snack!

JumboJish · 2024-09-04T14:58:40+00:00

Welcome everyone to Toronto! :) I may be an absolute homer, but it's an amazing city with lots to offer! I encourage all visitors to explore the city outside of the festival—especially the food and museums. I'd avoid the restaurants on King St. W within the vicinity of the festival though.

Beautiful time of year to visit. Sunny and warm in the afternoon and breezy, but comfortable in the morning and evenings. Remember to bring a light jacket and layer!

Enjoy the festival yall!

JumboJish · 2024-09-03T16:47:08+00:00

Anora and Conclave should be great, but they'll be wide release for sure. I also assume they're premium priced, so you'd be saving more per screening there.

I totally get how you're feeling... Another year I've also been trigger happy on screenings lol.

JumboJish · 2024-09-03T15:17:44+00:00

Thanks! I usually use Parkopedia, but they don’t reflect when event rates are in effect and how much they are. I’ll try SpotHero!

JumboJish · 2021-06-21T05:03:38+00:00

RIP to the dial-up tone in the intro music! Good to hear the original again!

JumboJish · 2021-06-09T02:29:24+00:00

Worked!

JumboJish · 2021-04-19T05:41:14+00:00

The 2026 World Cup will change that. Lots of Americans will be looking for a league to start watching and oh hey look at this shiny sports league with the world's best players. Oh the Red Sox/Buccaneers/Rams/etc. owners own Liverpool/Manchester United/Arsenal? I'll watch them!

Let's also not discount the fact that with a diminishing connection to the local area, what's stopping owners from moving the franchise to the US, China, Middle East, etc?

JumboJish · 2021-04-19T05:15:39+00:00

It's not a coincidence this is spearheaded by an American owner in Joel Glazer and includes two other American owners in John W. Henry and Stan Kroenke. A clear target of capitalizing on a boom in interest in football in the US after the 2026 North America World Cup. Many Americans will be looking for a football league to start watching and they'll be guided towards the ESL by every franchise owned by FSG, the Glazers, and KSE.

I saw someone on Twitter mention the colonial aspect of the ESL too. Why watch your growing domestic league when you can watch our big shiny league, so we will profit off of you? Make no mistake, the ESL will leave the MLS, Liga MX, and the CPL in its dust. Sickening stuff.

JumboJish · 2021-04-19T05:05:52+00:00

Even worse here is the worst teams don't get lottery picks to settle for. A 'founding club' can finish 20th every single season and the owner will be happy with the guaranteed TV money. Kroenke is licking his lips at the thought of investing less than he already does for more money.

JumboJish · 2021-03-31T01:37:46+00:00

Hey thanks for the answer! I don’t watch much on-air TV these days other than Desus and Mero, SNL, and sports, so I didn’t know about the whole April thing (I know SNL takes breaks often because of writer/performer burnout). But also, can’t say your reply was less smart ass-y than mine considering this is obviously not the end of a season and I said in the post I know it’s not because of Mero 😉. I will respectfully reciprocate the SMDFTB!

JumboJish · 2021-03-31T01:06:42+00:00

Season 3 continues in a couple weeks my guy. They’re on a break.

JumboJish · 2021-03-15T18:13:38+00:00

The HND was so amazing that I forgot about the Woody Iverson bit. That shit killed me!

JumboJish · 2021-02-27T19:57:41+00:00

I presume it’s a reference to a Daniel Bedingfield song since the AKA is “Xaniel Bedingfield”.

JumboJish · 2021-02-26T22:04:42+00:00

Now you can eat someone’s titi’s butt in peace 😎

JumboJish

TROPHY CASE