TIFF Bell Lightbox
TIFF Bell Lightbox
4.5
9:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 11:30 PM
About
The essential space for film lovers in Toronto and around the world. As Canada's premiere home of cinema, TIFF offers screenings, lectures, discussions, festivals, workshops, events, professional development and opportunities to meet, hear and learn from filmmakers from Canada and around the world.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown
At the heart of Toronto, Downtown is the destination for cheap eats and fast fashion. Cut through by hip and trendy Yonge Street, the vibe here is young, with a strong student influence from the Ryerson University Campus. As a result, the Downtown area is always in flux: undergoing the construction of new facilities, with fresh retail spaces and pop-up cafes. Home to Toronto's largest indoor shopping mall, a number of vintage cinemas, and a healthy nightlife centered on the area's Distillery District bar and clubs near the East End, it's both an easygoing daytime spot and a popular party place after sunset. It also features some of Toronto's best outdoor landmarks, including Yonge-Dundas Square and the Nathan Phillips Square: perfect for a concert, a skate, or a relaxing sit-down.
How to get there
- St. Andrew • 6 min walk
- Osgoode • 7 min walk
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Attractions
746 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
204 reviews
Excellent
120
Very good
68
Average
7
Poor
5
Terrible
4
merionette
Philadelphia, PA7 contributions
Jan 2020
Unique setting with excellent film choices that often do not show in larger theatres. Venue consists of several small theatres, comfortable seats, building was built specifically for this purpose. There is always something good showing and also run some excellent series.
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorna E
Toronto, Canada10 contributions
Jan 2023 • Friends
We are so lucky to have TIFF Lightbox in Toronto. The theatres are fabulous and they show amazing films. Both restaurants serve great food and drinks. This is becoming our go to place for an early evening out.
Written 6 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GloriousLakeSuperior
Northwestern Ontario152 contributions
Nov 2013 • Friends
LOVE TIFF Lightbox, casual dining downstairs, more refined upstairs, all is good and both are worthy of dinner put either between shows or before a show! Make it a great night!
Written 10 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom R
Woodbridge, VA52 contributions
Sept 2019
I just wish I had gone when I was younger, but then I would not have been able to afford it. We flew in from the US. I have wanted to go to TIFF for 10 years. Finally, just said, let's go. Had to review summaries of lots of movies before deciding which tickets to buy. Bought a diverse group of movies (including one series of shorts). We did good with our choices. The best part was hearing from the producers, starts, screen writers, etc. before and after the movies. And it was great to see Toronto, we had a wonderful time. I say it would be better to go when younger, because I am 60 now and while still very mobile, I hate standing in lines and waiting, and we did that for all 10 movies we saw. Very long lines as people come earlier so they can get good seats (all our theaters but one were general admission), and so they can get close to the movie stars. Also after one movie is done you had to race to another theater and sometimes use a cab. We got a hotel in the middle of the theaters, but that is downtown and expensive. Could have probably gotten a cheaper hotel, but I wanted something nice, but still paid a lot. Still as I say I am glad I went, very glad to see Toronto, glad for the experience, but probably a once in a lifetime thing. Still I sat by a lady a lot older than me that was staying the whole 10 days and was seeing 47 movies. Toronto felt safe and TIFF had a nice store and around the TIFF building were lots of interesting experiences and red carpet areas.
Written 28 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clare
Toronto, Canada53 contributions
Jan 2020
Came here for a special event. Had general seating but was glad we were able to sit in the balcony. Would definitely come back.
Written 7 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark B
Toronto, Canada28 contributions
Sept 2018
The Toronto Film festival has a website that constantly crashes and even though the films are first rate they have priced the films out of most peoples budget!
Written 20 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate4839
Toronto, Canada19 contributions
Feb 2018
I visited the Lightbox to watch the films nominated in the documentary section of the Oscars. It was a great experience; saw all the films in the category in the large comfortable theatre. Also had lunch beforehand in the restaurant on the main floor which was delicious.
Written 9 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul N
Toronto, Canada2,597 contributions
Sept 2016 • Business
People know TIFF as the site for the film festival. Tourists will often visit for the year-round programming and educational offerings. These are both valid visit motivations.
What is often overlooked is the powerful offering for business professionals. The opportunity is four-fold:
1) The upper level restaurant is run by one of Canada's best brands (O&B) and yes it's high-end and great for dinner meetings and receptions with top level clients. But often overlooked is the ground floor spot (Canteen) which is ALSO run by this group and is one of the most affordable lunch spots with creative healthy food and a bright open space.
2) Meetings : My organization has rented space here for board meetings for years and the room is all glass, bright, right downtown but never too busy. The perfect blend of professional corporate but cool creative. The price is right and we live that were supporting a charity (did you know TIFF is a charity?) and not propping up a big corporation.
3) Coffee : Remember that Canteen lunch space? In the morning they have solid espresso, creative breakfast offerings and free (meaning you purchase and then just sit) space with wifi that is silent. No bustling coffee shop where you leave smelling like coffee beans.
4) Parking : Recently my team moved our company nearby (and I'm a Zipcar user). The parking is the most affordable and its secure and underground (critical in the winter)
Yes film is fabulous but at TIFF business is at its best.
What is often overlooked is the powerful offering for business professionals. The opportunity is four-fold:
1) The upper level restaurant is run by one of Canada's best brands (O&B) and yes it's high-end and great for dinner meetings and receptions with top level clients. But often overlooked is the ground floor spot (Canteen) which is ALSO run by this group and is one of the most affordable lunch spots with creative healthy food and a bright open space.
2) Meetings : My organization has rented space here for board meetings for years and the room is all glass, bright, right downtown but never too busy. The perfect blend of professional corporate but cool creative. The price is right and we live that were supporting a charity (did you know TIFF is a charity?) and not propping up a big corporation.
3) Coffee : Remember that Canteen lunch space? In the morning they have solid espresso, creative breakfast offerings and free (meaning you purchase and then just sit) space with wifi that is silent. No bustling coffee shop where you leave smelling like coffee beans.
4) Parking : Recently my team moved our company nearby (and I'm a Zipcar user). The parking is the most affordable and its secure and underground (critical in the winter)
Yes film is fabulous but at TIFF business is at its best.
Written 1 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sadie W
Greater London, UK63 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
A must see for film/cinema lovers. It has multiple screens and various films from across the world. The prices may be higher than you'd prefer. But you're paying for value and quality.
I still hope to visit the festival as I've been told many times that it is excellent.
I still hope to visit the festival as I've been told many times that it is excellent.
Written 3 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shaun F
Montreal, Canada81 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
I had been wanting to visit the Bell Lightbox ever since it opened in 2010 as the HQ of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The architecture and layout are interesting. With a film art gallery and five(5) beautiful film theaters, you definitely feel like you are in a special space dedicated to the film industry and film-making in general. During a three hour visit we were able to tour the building (first three floors), view a 30-minute art film, and a feature film. If you follow films at all, you will want to see and experience the home base of one of the most influential film festivals in the world.
Written 27 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do you need to see the films during TIFF or are their free events you can attend?
Sincerely,
Camillo Delpellaro
Written 27 August 2018
You can go to TIFF anytime to see films but sometimes they also have exhibits upstairs for free viewing. One time I saw a display of various makeup prosthetics which was fascinating.
Written 28 January 2019
Where would be the best place to park?
Written 16 June 2018
Can you go there to just watch a regular movie?
Written 18 March 2018
Yes, you can. The films they show are more arthouse, Oscar fare though. Thus, you won’t be able to watch mainstream films like Black Panther or A Wrinkle in Time here. At the moment, they are playing A Fantastic Woman, Phantom Thread, Call Me By Your Name, Loveless & Foxtrot. You can check out the tribute website or Ticketmaster for more showtimes.
Written 20 March 2018
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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