TIFF loosens phone policy at press screenings, sparking criticism from purists
Press & Market screenings now allow limited texting and email, a shift from the strict no-phone rule that applied across all TIFF venues. The policy has divided attendees.
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TIFF's press and industry screenings now permit limited use of phones for email and texting—a marked departure from previous years when all attendees faced a strict no-phone requirement.
The new onscreen notice at Press & Market screenings reads: "Phone Policy: Limited use of devices for email and texting purposes is allowed. Please be courteous to other members of the audience by keeping device usage to a minimum and the sound off." Public screenings maintain the original rules, requiring electronic devices to be silenced and stowed away.
Accredited press and industry screenings have historically allowed exceptions for note-taking, while public screenings remained phone-free zones. The loosened guidance at press events has prompted frustration from both filmmakers and cinephiles who see phones as a distraction.
On social media, viewers expressed strong opinions. "If you can't make it through one film without using your phone… you have NO business being at a film festival in any capacity," one X user wrote. Another posted, "How about turn it off completely, wtf." A third added, "WHAT THE ACTUAL F? Come on TIFF, get a grip!"
Others defended the shift. "For people complaining about the phone policy: this isn't a regular festival screening; it's part of the market. The people in the audience work in distribution or exhibition and may genuinely need to use their phones while watching," one commenter noted. Another observed, "I hate phones in movies, but this has always kinda been a thing at press screenings, so it feels like TIFF just gave up and went ok fine, we're gonna let you do the thing you were already doing."
TIFF has not publicly explained the rationale for the change.
The details
What phones are allowed at TIFF screenings?
At Press & Market screenings, limited use of devices for email and texting is now permitted, though users are asked to keep usage minimal and sound off. Public screenings still require all electronic devices to be silenced and put away.
Why did TIFF change its phone policy?
TIFF has not publicly explained the rationale for the change.
