Film TIFF Program - OU Programs - International Education

International Education

O'Dowd Hall, Room 328
586 Pioneer Drive
Rochester, MI 48309-4482
(location map)
(248) 370-2889
ie@oakland.edu

Office hours
Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

In-person and virtual advising hours
Mon - Fri: 9 a.m. - noon and 1 - 4 p.m.

Walk-in advising hours
Mon - Thurs: 1 - 3 p.m.

Alex Zimmerman, Director
(248) 370-2843
azimmerman@oakland.edu

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) program introduces Oakland University students to the world of global cinema and provides them with a unique, first-hand opportunity to observe the workings of the contemporary media industries. Program participants spend a week at North America's preeminent international film festival, attending screenings, industry panels, and master class workshops with media professionals. As part of the program, students enroll in a four-credit elective (FLM4910), taught during Fall 2023.

Program eligibility: current students enrolled in FLM4910, which is by instructor permission only. Please note that current OU Film students and upperclassmen will be given preference since spots are limited. Students who have participated previously in the TIFF Study Abroad program are eligible to apply for TIFF 2023– please contact Professor Kyle Edwards for further information.

Priority deadline for applications is April 17; the deadline for the $500 deposit is June 1. The 2023 program dates are September TBD.

For more information, check out this video about the Film TIFF Program in Toronto and TIFF 2017.

For more information contact:
Kyle Edwards
edwards2@oakland.edu

Apply Now Make a deposit or payment Photo album

Where You Will Be

The trip will take place in the heart of downtown Toronto, Canada. In addition to being the location for North America’s most prestigious film festival, Toronto is a center for Canadian and international film, television, and media industries. Students will stay at the HI-Toronto Hostel in dorm style rooms. The hostel is close to a number of restaurants, coffee shops, shopping, mass transportation, etc.

The TIFF Bell Lightbox holds many of the festival’s activities and is only a five-minute walk from the hostel. We will spend the first day in Toronto getting oriented to the area and festival locations. Students will be given a tour of the neighborhood and festival locations, pick up film badges, etc.

What You Will Do and learn

What you will do

Students will attend Industry Conference panels, festival screenings, networking events, OU Master Classes, and other designated class activities. As part of the four-credit Study Abroad – TIFF course (FLM 4910), you will also complete festival-based assignments. Students will have the opportunity to contextualize and reflect upon their experiences during and after the trip festival. After the first day or two of the festival, students will be encouraged to structure their own festival experience based on their interests as well as course assignments and activities. In addition to instruction time during the TIFF trip, FLM4910 course will have a few in-person meetings throughout the semester during the designated class meeting time on Tuesdays for lecture and discussion.

What you will learn

There are several goals for participating students in this program: 1) to introduce students to contemporary trends in global cinema, 2) to foster an understanding of the business operations and cultural activities of TIFF, and 3) to offer professionalization opportunities and forge pathways towards successful creative careers in the media industries.

What to Bring

TIFF is a fairly informal event. Pack casual clothes and comfortable shoes. Additionally, you may want to bring a slightly dressier outfit for a group dinner or industry networking event. A light jacket, umbrella, and a backpack or satchel is recommended. Since you will be working on course assignments, you should bring a laptop or tablet, or any camera equipment you may have. You may want to bring your own pillow, twin set sheet, and towel.
You should contact your cell phone provider to find out if your cell phone will work in Canada. Due to the size and scope of the festival, we strongly prefer students to have cell and/or text access. You may buy international data plan, purchase a SIM card if you phone is unlocked, purchase a Canadian pay-as-you go phone, or download a texting app that works over Wi-Fi.

Requirements

Students must enroll in FLM4910, which is by instructor permission only. Please note that current OU Film students and upperclassmen will be given preference since spots are limited.

Potential participants should complete applications on the International Education website, including contact information for a personal reference. Applicants should meet with the program director at least briefly prior to completing the application and submitting the deposit, either individually or at one of the information meetings. The priority deadline for the application and a non-refundable deposit of $500 is June 1. Final program costs will be determined by the number of students attending the trip.

Cost

Toronto International Film Fest
Film Festival Sept. TBD

Number of credits: 4 (tuition not included in program cost)
Program cost: TBD
Application deposit: non-refundable deposit included in program cost
Meals not included: $250
Excursions: not included
Airfare: bus transportation included
Books and supplies: $35
Extra costs: on-the-ground transportation ($50), passport/passport card enhanced license fees, international cell phone costs, personal incidentals