Toronto Resources

19,000 volumes
65,000 film production files
6,000 soundtracks
1 new home

The Film Reference Library re-opens at TIFF Bell Lightbox on October 26

TORONTO - The Film Reference Library (FRL), home to the world’s most extensive English language collection of Canadian film-related material, re-opens to the public on Tuesday, October 26 in TIFF Bell Lightbox. The FRL and its new exhibition space, the Canadian Film Gallery, are vital resources for researchers, browsers and cinéphiles alike.

With free admission to the public, the Film Reference Library holds 19,000 volumes; 65,000 film production files; more than 100 current magazines; 12,000 DVD, video and laserdisc titles and 6,000 soundtracks, which can be viewed, experienced and enjoyed on site at the Gary and Joanne Reamey Family Media Centre situated in the BMO Study Centre.

“The Film Reference Library is a destination for the study and appreciation of film and is devoted to the preservation of Canada’s cinematic history. We’re happy to welcome the library and the Canadian Film Gallery to Toronto’s new home for film, TIFF Bell Lightbox,” said Piers Handling, CEO and Director, TIFF.

“Our government has always been an enthusiastic supporter of the Toronto International Film Festival. TIFF Bell Lightbox is an education centre, a gathering spot for the industry, a marketplace and a major tourist attraction,” said Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism and Culture.

The FRL has been the caretaker of the Province of Ontario’s film-related holdings since it assumed operations of the Ontario Film Institute in 1990, carrying on the work and legacy of Ontario Film Institute founder Gerald Pratley. The FRL houses several special archival collections and personal papers – including early work, script development and production storyboards, notes, music scores, set designs and memorabilia – of some of Canada’s great filmmakers including Atom Egoyan, David Cronenberg, Guy Maddin and Bruce McDonald. The FRL is also home to the archives of Canadian film companies and various collections.

Collections can be accessed by appointment in the Brian Linehan Research Room, named after the late broadcaster who donated a very special archive of his own research to the FRL.

Now on display in the Canadian Film Gallery is the exhibit TIFF@35 featuring elements from the Festival’s 35 years including film memorabilia such as the Project Grizzly suit. TIFF@35 runs until December 2010. Beginning in January 2011, the Gallery will launch its first major exhibition, Mary Pickford and the Invention of the Movie Star, showcasing the Rob Brooks Mary Pickford Collection. Amassed over a 30-year period, this stellar collection of approximately 1,900 items was privately acquired by Toronto area resident Rob Brooks and is generously being donated to TIFF.  The collection celebrates Toronto-born Mary Pickford, an internationally renowned silent screen actress.

With direction from the City of Toronto’s Heritage Preservation Services, TIFF is also commemorating the rich history of the King & John site with a permanent display of artifacts and interpretive panels, entitled HOME. This project tells the stories of the people and communities that have called King and John home.

FRL hours of operation:
Tuesday to Saturday: 10 am to 7 pm
Sunday: 12 pm to 6 pm
Closed Monday