Toronto International Festival of Authors

Toronto International Festival of Authors
Founded	1974
Type	Literary Arts
Location	235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada;
Key people	Director, Geoffrey E. Taylor; Board of Directors: ; A. Charles Baillie, President; Avie Bennett, President Emeritus; Harriet Lewis, Vice President & Secretary; Jeffrey Smyth, Treasurer; William Boyle; Rupert Duchesne; Karin Eaton; Beth Nowers
Website	festivalofauthors.ca

The Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA), previously known as the International Festival of Authors (IFOA),^[1] is an annual festival presented in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

History

Since 1974, the mission of TIFA programming has been to promote interest and enthusiasm for writing and reading both locally and internationally, to showcase the excellence and variety of Canadian literature, and to introduce young readers to the possibilities of reading and writing. In addition, the organization offers programs and events for communities to increase the awareness of all forms of literature.

Programming

TIFA programming runs throughout the year with several different categories for events. Each TIFA event is digitally recorded with photo, video and audio. Beginning in 2006, these recordings are sent to the holdings of the Library and Archives Canada. Such permanent documentation of IFOA’s extensive programming has allowed researchers and documentary makers extensive use of the archives.

TIFA Weekly Event Series

Running from September to June, the weekly event series includes authors taking part in events like readings, round table discussions, and interviews.

Toronto International Festival of Authors

The Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA), one of the most celebrated literary festivals in the world,^[2] was inaugurated in 1980 with a mandate to bring together the best writers of contemporary world literature. Like the weekly series, IFOA includes readings, interviews, round table discussions and talks, as well as public book signings and a festival bookstore. IFOA also continues to present readings by Scotiabank Giller Prize, Governor General’s Literary Award and Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize finalists, the Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-fiction recipient, and the awarding of the $10,000 Harbourfront Festival Prize.

Lit on Tour

Beginning in 2007, TIFA sought to grow their audience base by introducing the IFOA’s touring program, IFOA Ontario. This touring program visits communities in numerous cities and towns across Ontario. In 2010 IFOA Ontario featured 16 events in 14 towns and cities, from Windsor to Picton and Hamilton to Thunder Bay.^[3]

Book Bash

An integral part of TIFA, Book Bash, previously known as Young IFOA,^[4] was born as a way to include a younger generation of readers in a festival of international repute.

ALOUD: a Celebration for Young Readers

ALOUD: a Celebration for Young Readers was also introduced in 2005, featuring some of the world’s leading authors for young people. In 2010, ALOUD was incorporated as part of the Forest of Reading Festival of Trees.

In May 2007, TIFA hosted the first annual Forest of Reading Festival of Trees on the 10-acre Harbourfront Centre site. Now Canada’s largest children’s literary event, attracting 8,000 audience members annually, this action-packed festival celebrates the shared experience of reading through award ceremonies, workshops and activities. The Festival of Trees is presented with the Ontario Library Association.

Harbourfront Festival Prize

Established in 1984, the Harbourfront Festival Prize ($10,000 CDN) was presented annually in recognition of an author's contribution to Canadian letters. It is based on the merits of their own published work and/or the time they have invested in nurturing the next generation of literary talent.