As the Toronto International Film Festival prepares to kick off Thursday, itB次元官网网址檚 doing so in a changed landscape B次元官网网址� one organizers have responded to with a few powerful additions to the usual mix of glitz and glam.

With initiatives including the Share Her Journey womenB次元官网网址檚 rally, a newly created hotline and an emphasis on its code of conduct, TIFF is making it clear itB次元官网网址檚 an inclusive and safe space after the tide of sexual misconduct allegations stemming from the Harvey Weinstein scandal last fall.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e making sure that everyone whoB次元官网网址檚 taking part in the festival understands that thereB次元官网网址檚 a standard of behaviour, that harassment and abuse wonB次元官网网址檛 be tolerated and that there are repercussions for that,B次元官网网址� says Cameron Bailey, artistic director of TIFF.

B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e on our ground and thereB次元官网网址檚 zero tolerance,B次元官网网址� adds Piers Handling, director and CEO of TIFF.

B次元官网网址淵ou will not be welcomed back if you violate any of these rules.B次元官网网址�

This is the first TIFF since the Weinstein scandal last October led to a steady stream of allegations involving many others in the industry and the establishment of the #MeToo and TimeB次元官网网址檚 Up movements to end abuse.

Weinstein has been a fixture at TIFF in the past, using it for the world premiere of films that went on to Oscar glory, including B次元官网网址淭he KingB次元官网网址檚 Speech,B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址淭he Imitation GameB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址淟ion.B次元官网网址�

Two misconduct accusations against him, from actresses Mira Sorvino and MontrealB次元官网网址檚 Erika Rosenbaum, allegedly took place in Toronto hotel rooms during past TIFFs.

TIFF has always had a zero-tolerance harassment policy and a code of conduct, but this year those elements will be more visible through signage around the festival, says Handling. All delegates must also agree to the code of conduct in their accreditation forms, and the press package includes a reminder of it.

B次元官网网址淔or the first time we actually have a hotline, so if anybody feels that theyB次元官网网址檝e been harassed and they donB次元官网网址檛 feel they can approach us, they can go to a third party,B次元官网网址� he adds.

The hotline B次元官网网址� 1-833-265-9835 B次元官网网址� allows callers to confidentially report wrongdoing or unethical conduct.

Handling notes theyB次元官网网址檝e taken badges away from delegates in the past but that was B次元官网网址渕ore for bad behaviour.B次元官网网址�

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Perhaps the biggest symbol of solidarity at this yearB次元官网网址檚 festival will be seen on Saturday with the rally by TIFFB次元官网网址檚 Share Her Journey, a five-year commitment to support women in the industry.

Speakers at the event will include Dr. Stacy L. Smith, founder and director of the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, Oscar-winning actress Geena Davis, and Canadian star Mia Kirshner, who co-founded the #AfterMeToo movement.

B次元官网网址淚 think thatB次元官网网址檚 a great way to have a visual of women supporting each other and standing up for what they believe in and standing up against any harassment or any roadblocks in the industry that we have,B次元官网网址� says Canadian writer-director Jasmin Mozaffari, who is at the festival this year with B次元官网网址淔irecrackers.B次元官网网址�

Meanwhile, at a pre-rally breakfast, Bailey will pledge TIFFB次元官网网址檚 commitment to the 5050x2020 initiative that supports gender parity and inclusion in film festivals.

Such initiatives can have a big impact, say those in the industry.

B次元官网网址淚 think the most important message that kind of stuff sends is that there are groups now behind this new standard that we all have, which is that kind of Harvey Weinstein-esque behaviour is not OK and if you are going to risk acting like that, then itB次元官网网址檚 no longer one or two fringe, really brave women who are going to come out and say something B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 a streetful of women,B次元官网网址� adds Nikki Saltz, winner of TIFFB次元官网网址檚 inaugural 2018 Micki Moore Residency for female screenwriters.

This year TIFF has also increased the diversity of its press corps by about 20 per cent, adding up to 200 new journalists from under-represented groups. Inclusion and diversity will also be among the topics TIFF on panels at the TIFF Industry Conference.

Handling notes TIFF has embraced diversity and supported womenB次元官网网址檚 cinema from the very beginning, through programming, seminars, panels and various programs.

This yearB次元官网网址檚 overall TIFF lineup has 34 per cent films by women, up from 33 per cent last year.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檇 like it to get to 50 per cent but I think the industry has to actually itself step to the plate,B次元官网网址� says Handling.

B次元官网网址淲e can only go so far. More women have to be behind the camera directing films, and then weB次元官网网址檒l show them.B次元官网网址�

Victoria Ahearn, The Canadian Press

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