#TIFF20: THE DRIVE-IN EXPERIENCE

By Mr. Will Wong

As you know, we’ve been attending TIFF for several years now and we in all honesty were kinda excited for the first time to experience it in Drive-In format. This screening option is reserved more for the higher-profile titles at the Festival, with films divided between RBC Lakeside Drive-In and OLG Play Stage (Ontario Place Boulevard x Remembrance Drive) , plus VISA Skyline Drive-In (20 Polson Street).

We had the joy of seeing a Film at RBC Lakeside Drive-In and it was a pleasurable, well-executed experience which we can see being used again in future editions of the Festival. We loved the private experience of seeing a Movie with plenty of personal space from others. We could even make comments and not worry about distracting others. And the acoustics were perfect. Above this, we loved the retro charm of all this.

A few key things on the experience to guide you through it if you plan to see your films this way at TIFF ’20:

1. Doors open two hours before your Movie starts, but we arrived an hour early and had plenty of time to settle-in comfortably without having to queue to get in.
2. Upon arriving at the gate of the venue, you should have your digital tickets ready for scanning on your phone and you will be guided along by volunteers on a path to the theatre.
3. On your ticket, you are provided a reserved parking spot (sorted by colour coding) for your car and volunteers will guide you to that spot. Ensure you turn your headlights off. This is a courtesy to others.
4. A volunteer will brief you on the experience, including where washrooms are and what station to tune-into on your car radio to enjoy the Movie.
5. Concessions are available at the venues. You will be provided instructions or a link how to order on your phone and they will be brought to you, usually in a contactless manner. It also is totally fine to bring your own food. We did!
6. RBC Lakeside Drive-In has a stage with a live musical guest during the pre-show. It is good etiquette to honk your car to show appreciation for the performance.
7. With your car being on Accessory mode to keep your radio on to watch the Movie, it will turn off on its own at some point. If that happens just turn your car back on, carefully keep your headlights off so not to distract others.
8. There are Mazda Guest Automative Services available in case your car battery dies.
9. If you must leave your car during the Movie, ensure you keep at least 6 ft away from others and ensure you have a face covering on.
10. Do your research and check the length of your Film. It is a good idea to get a head start on the exit rush of cars out the venue once the Film ends, unless you do enjoy sitting through the credits. Which is totally fine too, but be prepared to wait!

Some snaps of our experience, which we were able to enjoy at TIFF ’20 courtesy of the 2020 Acura ILX!

A special thanks to H&M Canada for the fashion as well! Many of you are asking about the face covering and this is an official TIFF ’20 mask available only at the TIFF Bell Lightbox Gift Shop!

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Nomadland at RBC Lakeside Drive-In. Made possible with the 2020 #AcuraILX. Fashion by @HM Canada. Official face mask available at @tiff_net Gift Shop.🙏 #TIFF20

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Sep 11, 2020 at 6:13pm PDT

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)