THE BEST PLACES to WATCH a FILM in KING WEST

TIFF Bell Lightbox and NFB Mediatheque

The King West neighbourhood is lucky to have not one, but two, great film venues.

NFB Mediatheque, at 150 John Street on the corner of Richmond, is a fascinating film resource sitting on King Blue’s doorstep. Offering a wide variety of film screenings, workshops, discussions, and exhibitions, this Toronto spot offers the public a vast view into the National Film Board’s world.

Highlights include Free Favourites at Four, a program offering free screenings of NFB titles every Wednesday afternoon at 4, and hands-on animation workshops offered for children and adults, ranging from $5-$12

Various screenings are part of festivals such as the Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival and the CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival, while every Thursday is Ciné-Jeudi – a presentation of French-language films with English subtitles.

Digital viewing stations allow viewers to choose from over 6,000 films from various categories, for free. The sole theatre in the building is an intimate space, with a capacity of 80 people, and screenings range from $4-$6. Visitors can also rent or purchase NFB films at the front desk.

TIFF Bell Lightbox, at 350 King Street West, is a five-theatre venue, with plenty of film and activity on offer. Opened in 2010 on the corner of King and John, TIFF Bell Lightbox was envisioned by the Reitman family as a permanent home for year-round film programming.

Capacity of the five theatres ranges from 80 (Theatre 5) to 550 (Theatre 1) and Theatre 5 has retractable seats to convert it into a workshop area. Three studios, a gallery, a gift shop, two O&B restaurants, a members’ only lounge and 6^th floor event space complete the venue.

Diverse film programming allows visitors to choose a movie from the series “Attack the Bloc: Cold War Science Fiction from Behind the Iron Curtain” one day and a 1980s Molly Ringwald classic the next. Spring 2012 programs included, “Hitchcock Master Classes with Guillermo del Toro” and “Books on Film” hosted by CBC’s Eleanor Wachtel.

TIFF Bell Lightbox has quickly become a hot place to play in King West. Members receive a variety of benefits including discounts on screenings, free access to exhibitions, a 15% discount at the shop and concessions, and the chance to purchase Festival ticket packages before the public. Follow TIFF on Twitter or like TIFF on Facebook.
Check out the TIFF Calendar HERE