Event Details

The Toronto International Festival of Authors presents the finest international novelists, poets, playwrights, short story writers and biographers, and provides Canadian writers with an internationally recognized forum in which to present their work.

Incorporated in 1986 as a non-profit organization with a mandate to cultivate and advance the cause of literature, the organization operates under the principal sponsorship of Harbourfront Centre, Toronto’s leading multidisciplinary centre for contemporary arts. The Toronto International Festival of Authors is home to a weekly event series (September to June), the annual International Festival of Authors (October) and, for younger readers, YoungIFOA (October) and ALOUD: a Celebration for Young Readers with Forest of Reading® Festival of Trees™ (May), presented with the Ontario Library Association.

The Festival and weekly series together have held readings, round table discussions, interviews and performances involving over 8,000 authors from more than 100 countries. In 2007, IFOA introduced its touring programme, IFOA Ontario, which now visits communities in numerous cities and towns across the province. More information about this programming can be found on litontour.com.

This application is for “TIFA’s 2025 Season”, taking place April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026 at the University of Toronto’s Victoria College, as well as other locations in downtown Toronto. For the 2025 Season, TIFA will present three distinct festivals: MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival, TIFA International, and the inaugural TIFA Romance presented by Kobo Festival. Programming includes:

(1) The MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival 2025;

(2) TIFA International with over 80 Canadian and international authors, panelists, and workshop hosts participating;

(3) the inaugural TIFA Romance Festival;

(4) ticketed events featuring (i) solo & paired author conversations; and (ii) panel discussions (e.g. Critical Conversations; Creative Writing Masterclasses; workshops);

(5) non-ticketed events featuring (i) Ask the Expert; and (ii) publishing panels; and

(6) opportunities for catered events including music and film.