Date: 12th September 2001

Toronto Film Festival Grinds To A Halt


The TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL has ground to a halt in light of the tragic terrorists attacks in New York and Washington D. C. The Canadian movie event, which was to include screenings of 326 movies, was thrown into confusion as the news spread of the devastation in Manhattan and D. C. PIERS HANDLING, director of the festival, is unsure of when the event will commence as normal.

He says, "Obviously, it's very difficult - a festival is all about celebration. The pall that this has cast over not just this event, but everything in the world at this point in time is such that you wonder at what point we will reach a state of normality in terms of entertainment and sports events, etc. , etc. "

Local hotels in Toronto were struggling to find accommodations for the high profile actors and actresses who were in the city to attend premieres of their movies. Organisers were awaiting at least a dozen films to arrive from the United States, but as all flights have been cancelled and borders between America and Canada closed, it is unknown when they will reach Toronto. (ES/WNWCC)

Source: WENN