TIFF 2024: Festival kicks off boasting big names in movies and music [Video]

The Toronto International Film Festival got off to a rocky start Thursday when ticketing glitches and a brief protest marred the first day of festivities that nevertheless drew throngs of cinephiles, music fans and celeb-watchers to the heart of the city’s entertainment district.

Organizers had billed this year’s edition as a return to celebrity glitz after several years of industry upheaval, and while there was plenty of fanfare, an early evening protest briefly derailed celebrations as TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey and chief programming officer Anita Lee took the stage at the Princess of Wales Theatre to introduce “Nutcrackers,” a dramedy starring Ben Stiller.

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• IN PICTURES: Toronto International Film Festival

A handful of people carrying signs about the war in Gaza accused major TIFF sponsor RBC of supporting genocide. Bailey and Lee did not acknowledge the protesters, who then approached the stage. After about four minutes, and amid a chorus of boos from the audience, the demonstrators …