#TorontoInternationalFilmFestival2003; #SAG-AFTRAStrike, #Hollywoodstrike
Toronto/CMEDIA: According to the festival-goers and industry players, Hollywood actors’ strike could reportedly drastically change this year’s experience for Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) when it rolls out the red carpet in September with far fewer stars in attendance.
The already-striking Writers Guild of America (WGA), bringing most Hollywood productions to a halt, was joined by the performers represented by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) when they walked off the job last Friday.
SAG-AFTRA has also made it clear that during the strike its members cannot reportedly do any promotions of their projects, including at film festivals.
TIFF, which is scheduled to run from Sept. 7 to 17, has not clarified what it will do in case the strike stretches into the festival period, but has said its impact “cannot be denied.”
Martin Katz, a Canadian film producer who frequently collaborates with famed director David Cronenberg was reported saying that an “umbrella of different issues” will affect enthusiasm for TIFF this year if the strike continues into September.
But he believes that even if TIFF’s star power is dimmed, it will still attract film lovers.
