Remember when AMC Theatres released its initial rules for reopening, saying that wearing a face covering would be optional? That was met with immediate backlash and a quick reversal from the corporation. Well, apparently the folks at the Toronto International Film Festival forgot about that whole drama and is now experiencing a similar situation.
READ MORE: Toronto International Film Festival 2020 Preview: 15 Films To Watch
After releasing the original plan that said in-person festival-goers would be able to remove their face masks once they are seated for their screenings, THR is reporting that TIFF has decided to walk back that idea and is now saying that face coverings are mandatory. Why did TIFF suddenly change its mind? Well, just like what happened with AMC’s situation, the immediate backlash was quick and severe, and the festival organizers obviously felt it would be best to not rock the boat too much.
“…Due to recent public health reports indicating that there has been an increase in COVID cases in the GTA, we have made the decision that for the safety, comfort and peace-of-mind of our audiences, TIFF Bell Lightbox will close its concession stands, thereby eliminating a point of contact for patrons,” the festival said.
The statement added, “As no food or beverage is being consumed, TIFF will require that audience members’ masks remain in place for the entirety of the time they are in TIFF Bell Lightbox.”
Obviously, if you’re the first major film festival in North America to hold in-person screenings since the pandemic first spread in the early spring, there’s no room for error. The last thing TIFF (or any of the fall festivals) needs right now is to be seen as a “super spreader” event. That would not only doom the film festival circuit for the rest of 2020 but likely deep into the following year. Not only that, with theatrical business just starting up again, no one in the film industry wants to do something that risky.
So, with all that in mind, TIFF is not only forcing face coverings to be worn during screenings, but there won’t be any concessions or anything that would prompt folks to take off their masks. While that doesn’t make the festival risk-free, as experts point out, at least it’s a step in the right direction.
