TIFF Next Wave

TIFF Next Wave is an annual film festival in Toronto, Ontario.[1] An offshoot of the Toronto International Film Festival, the Next Wave festival is held in spring each year, screening films of interest to teenagers and young adults selected by a committee of students from the city's high schools.[2]

The festival was launched in 2012.[3] It programs both a lineup of Canadian and international feature films, and a Young Creators Showcase program of short films by Canadian film students. Some, but not all, films are also made available on the TIFF Bell Lightbox for viewing across Canada. The festival has also included special programs such as Battle of the Scores, a battle of the bands competition in which emerging musicians compete to compose and perform the best live score for a short film,[4] the Next Wave Film Challenge, a competition which gives emerging filmmakers three days to make and complete a short film,[5] and the Young Creators Co-Lab, which gives young content creators a chance to meet and network with film industry professionals.[6]

Admission to the festival screenings is free for people under age 25, and $14 for people older than 25.[1]

In addition to the standalone TIFF Next Wave festival, films of youth interest in the primary TIFF program also bear a "TIFF Next Wave" designation,[7] and the organizing committee serve as the jury for the Shawn Mendes Foundation Changemaker Award.[8]