TIFF – TRIBUTE GALA

Event Design & Management | Show & Technical Production | Creative Strategy & Experience Design

Key Elements: Entertainment Management | Food & Beverage Management | Fundraising Management

We faced an interesting challenge of three different objectives that needed to be met - honour the retirement of former Executive Director Piers Handling, celebrate and empower women, raise funds for TIFF’s Share Her Journey campaign. Ready for the task, we built a program and show flow that accomplished all three. So impressed, when Handling eventually took the stage, he ripped up his original retirement remarks and instead honoured the women who had been so important in his life, especially his mother.

The Experience

Nearly 600 people attended dinner at the Royal York, with a few hundred more joining them for later an after-party celebration.

Guests were welcomed onto the TIFF red carpet, before entering the Royal York where they were greeted by a female DJ and served cocktails and canapes.

The perimeter of the ballroom was completely draped, covering the about-to-be-revealed technology. As the night unfolded, the drapes were dropped as a single trumpet started to play Another Day of Sun from La La Land revealing a full song and dance performance complete with a 35 youth dancers, with a few even standing on front row table tops. After the performance a series of projection screens that provided the canvas for the evening – showcasing women in film, both behind and in front of the camera. This was truly a female empowerment moment, driven by an all-female orchestra.

The after party was developed with a movie concession theme, featuring a massive candy station, popcorn, and a movie video dance party. The band Dwayne Gretzky performed music from film, with footage playing from the movie in question on an LED screen behind the band.

The evening was a success and all objectives were met. Handling's retirement was honoured, women in film were celebrated and over $1 million was raised for TIFF's Share Her Journey campaign, which exceeded the organizing committee's goal.
Whizbang Moment

The true Whizbang moment was the crazy collaboration that was undertaken to build the event, especially in terms of assembling the all-female orchestra. Thirteen women were brought together, ranging from with Broadway singers to a hip hop group.

It was truly a coming together of talented women with varied backgrounds and provided an international flavour to already unique event.

Get Started On Your Event

DOLLARS RAISED

FEET OF LINEAR PROJECTION

YOUTH DANCERS

Jennifer Tory

TIFF Board Member

"I had the opportunity to work very closely with the team at e=mc² events as the producers of the Toronto International Film Festival Gala. They exceeded my expectations, particularly with their passion for their work and their innovation. I personally enjoyed working with them. I've attended multiple events produced by their team and can say that e=mc² events brings new energy to events in Toronto and beyond."