Days ahead of kicking off its 2023 edition, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has paused a creative partnership with Therme Group, the private Austrian company that has been pilloried over its planned redevelopment of Ontario Place.
A report from The Globe and Mail notes how, in August 2021, Therme Group's Canadian subsidiary announced a partnership with TIFF called Cinematic Cities, centred around "promoting the role of art and film in creating more human cities."
Toward the end of 2022, Therme Group then proposed that presently public parkland on Toronto's waterfront should be used to build a private $350-million water park, spa and accompanying parking complex — a suggestion since met with opposition from local residents and politicians.
This past February, grassroots advocacy organization Ontario Place for All wrote an open letter to TIFF urging the festival to reconsider partnering with a development firm involved in the selling off of public life to private interests, noting how the redevelopment proposal contradicts the TIFF's mission statement and purported values, and how the redesign would affect Ontario Place's historic Cinesphere theatre, which has hosted TIFF screenings in previous festival years.
"We ask that TIFF reconsider its partnership with Therme; the move stands against the organizational values of inclusivity. A private spa is not a public good," the letter concludes. "Ontario Place was created for all to celebrate the story and future of Ontario. TIFF, which strives to enrich Canada's cultural landscape should be particularly concerned with participating in the loss of that narrative."
TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey told The Globe and Mail Monday (August 28) that Therme has "no involvement" in the festival's 2023 edition, noting that the organization will revisit the partnership next year following the pause.
"We've been listening to everyone with any opinions on this and we've been paying attention to the evolution of the project itself and just what all the different stakeholders have to say about it, including our own close stakeholders and members. So we've decided to get through this year's festival and take another look at it next year."
Simon Bredin, Therme Canada's senior manager of communications and public engagement, confirmed in a respective statement [via The Globe and Mail] that "TIFF and Therme have agreed to pause the Cinematic Cities initiative. We look forward to revisiting the initiative in conjunction with the introduction of our Therme Art program into Canada in 2024."
TIFF runs in Toronto from September 7 through 17.
A report from The Globe and Mail notes how, in August 2021, Therme Group's Canadian subsidiary announced a partnership with TIFF called Cinematic Cities, centred around "promoting the role of art and film in creating more human cities."
Toward the end of 2022, Therme Group then proposed that presently public parkland on Toronto's waterfront should be used to build a private $350-million water park, spa and accompanying parking complex — a suggestion since met with opposition from local residents and politicians.
This past February, grassroots advocacy organization Ontario Place for All wrote an open letter to TIFF urging the festival to reconsider partnering with a development firm involved in the selling off of public life to private interests, noting how the redevelopment proposal contradicts the TIFF's mission statement and purported values, and how the redesign would affect Ontario Place's historic Cinesphere theatre, which has hosted TIFF screenings in previous festival years.
"We ask that TIFF reconsider its partnership with Therme; the move stands against the organizational values of inclusivity. A private spa is not a public good," the letter concludes. "Ontario Place was created for all to celebrate the story and future of Ontario. TIFF, which strives to enrich Canada's cultural landscape should be particularly concerned with participating in the loss of that narrative."
TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey told The Globe and Mail Monday (August 28) that Therme has "no involvement" in the festival's 2023 edition, noting that the organization will revisit the partnership next year following the pause.
"We've been listening to everyone with any opinions on this and we've been paying attention to the evolution of the project itself and just what all the different stakeholders have to say about it, including our own close stakeholders and members. So we've decided to get through this year's festival and take another look at it next year."
Simon Bredin, Therme Canada's senior manager of communications and public engagement, confirmed in a respective statement [via The Globe and Mail] that "TIFF and Therme have agreed to pause the Cinematic Cities initiative. We look forward to revisiting the initiative in conjunction with the introduction of our Therme Art program into Canada in 2024."
TIFF runs in Toronto from September 7 through 17.