As the 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival came to a close, Toronto Film School wrapped up its biggest presence yet with student films on public display, alumni featured in major premieres, and exclusive access offered to the next wave of aspiring creatives.
This year’s festival spotlighted not only world-class cinema but the rising talent fostered by Toronto Film School’s unique approach to creative education.
Alumni and Faculty Spotlighted at TIFF
A total of 22 TFS alumni contributed to productions featured throughout the 2025 festival. Their involvement touched nearly every corner of production, with roles ranging from behind-the-camera expertise to key creative positions. Highlights included:
- Six graduates who worked on Frankenstein, the highly anticipated film from Guillermo del Toro, which had its North American premiere at TIFF.
- Zain Duraie, a Film Production grad from the Class of 2010, debuted her feature film Sink in TIFF’s Discovery programme.
- Madeleine Sims-Fewer, a current instructor at TFS, premiered her latest thriller, Honey Bunch, a production that also featured the work of three of her former students.
The scope and variety of these contributions confirmed what the industry is already seeing: TFS alumni are making their mark.
Festival Street Came Alive with TFS Cinema
Back for a second year, the TFS Cinema transformed a section of Festival Street into a public screening space for student short films. The 10×20-foot outdoor mini-theatre, situated near the TIFF Lightbox, gave passersby and festival-goers an up-close look at the creativity emerging from TFS diploma programs.
The installation was part of the TIFF Festival Street Art Market, co-sponsored by Toronto Film School. The market featured a diverse lineup of local film and arts organizations, including imagineNative, Reel Asian, Inside Out, REEL CANADA, Luminato, and more.
Introducing the TIFF x TFS Industry Tour
2025 also marked the launch of the TIFF x TFS Industry Tour, a public event spanning all three of Toronto Film School’s downtown campuses. Participants explored live screenings, tech demonstrations, and hands-on activities tied to the school’s six diploma programs. At each stop, visitors collected stamps in their “Map to the Stars” passport for a chance to win a $5,000 bursary. The tour concluded at the TFS Cinema, bringing the full experience into the heart of TIFF.
Proud to Have Played a Part in Toronto Film School’s Journey
TIFF 50 gave Toronto Film School a powerful moment to celebrate its past, present, and future community. With graduates featured in festival premieres and students involved in hands-on activations, the school leveraged the opportunity to connect audiences with the creative energy emanating from its programs. President Andrew Barnsley summed it up best: a “once-in-a-lifetime” moment for everyone involved.
Watching Toronto Film School shine at TIFF 50 was a proud moment for us at Trew Knowledge. Long before this year’s red carpets and premieres, our teams collaborated to transform the school’s connection with future creatives, developing a WordPress-powered admissions experience that simplified the process for students to explore programs, engage with advisors, and start their journey with confidence.
From day one, TFS made it clear: this wasn’t just about technology. It was about creating a welcoming, inspiring, and accessible experience for every future filmmaker, designer, and actor walking through their virtual doors.
What unfolded at TIFF 50 was a reflection of what TFS stands for: spotlighting talent, building connections, and creating space for new voices to emerge.
Bringing creative visions to life, whether on screen or online, takes the right tools, strategy, and collaboration. Trew Knowledge is proud to support organizations like Toronto Film School in building digital infrastructure that inspires and performs. Let’s start building yours.
