Buying or selling, there’s no denying that TIFF is a major stop on the festival circuit, but not the only stop. Sure, a lot of deals will get signed next month in Toronto. But you never know – your next title might get into Haifa and sell to every movie house in mainland Asia. It could happen. Right? To test this theory, we ask producers and distributors:

‘Business-wise, what’s been your best experience at a festival?’

Probably our opening-night screening of Water at Roy Thomson Hall. It was an opening-night film at TIFF a couple years ago. And it got such a fantastic response. It was a really euphoric experience. It really helped launch the film to Canadian audiences.
Tom Alexander, director of theatrical releasing,
Mongrel Media

Whistler 2005 was the key festival for my second picture, Love Is Work… The intimacy of the festival was a perfect fit for the kind of film.
Johnny Kalangis, director, The Mad

I would have to say Toronto and Away from Her. It was the world premiere and we made a huge sale to the U.S. and sold to most territories in the world. It’s what we hoped for, but we never expected it. It exceeded anything I had ever experienced at a single festival.
Daniel Iron, producer, Foundry Films

There’s no sound bite answer to that question. It depends on the film and the festival. For In Praise of Older Women and Black Robe, it was the Toronto festival. For The Sweet Hereafter and Crash, it was the Cannes film festival. Being Julia had a wonderful launch through the San Sebastian festival.
Robert Lantos, producer, Eastern Promises and Fugitive Pieces

Having sexual relations during the premiere screening of Lie with Me at TIFF ’05.
Damon D’Oliveira, producer, Poor Boy’s Game