RBC is embracing its role as a major sponsor of the Toronto International Film Festival and, for the second year in a row, the digital and in-person formats of the festival, which takes place from Sept. 9 to 18.

The bank’s 14th year of TIFF sponsorship is led by once again having the naming rights for the RBC Lakeside Drive-In at Ontario Place, one of three outdoor venues and one of two drive-in venues that audiences can experience at TIFF this year. The drive-in was first introduced in 2020 as the festival responded to the constraints of the pandemic, and for 2021 will be screening an array of world premieres as well as Canadian and international films including Dear Evan Hansen, The Forgiven, The Guilty, and The Starling.

The screenings will also put the spotlight on live performances by emerging artists participating in the First Up with RBCxMusic program that provides up-and-coming Canadian musicians with funding, education and mentorship, in addition to a platform.

The RBC Lakeside Drive-In is also the venue for the return Best Seats in the House contest, a contest done in partnership with Toronto Life that encourages film fans to nominate small business owners who deserve a free night out at the RBC Lakeside Drive-In.

This year, RBC has also evolved the “Women in Film” video series, which it introduced in 2020, to become the TIFF Storytellers’ Spotlight: A Women in Film Panel, presented by RBC, featuring three Festival filmmakers – Justine Bateman, Shasha Nakhai and Andrea Nirmala Widjajanto.

Photos courtesy RBC/George Pimentel