Welcome to the Toronto Animation Arts Festival International, affectionately known as TAAFI. If you have ever geeked out over a beautifully drawn cartoon, marvelled at video game graphics, or just love a good story, this is your new favourite weekend plan.
For five glorious days every April, TAAFI transforms the city into an absolute playground for animation lovers, industry pros, and curious creatives. This festival is a high-energy celebration of everything animated. You can grab a seat in a dark theatre to binge-watch mind-blowing international short films, catch exclusive feature premieres, or rub elbows with the brilliant minds who actually draw your favourite childhood shows.
It is not just about sitting and watching. The festival features an incredible industry conference packed with creator chats, live speed pitching sessions, and hands-on workshops.
Whether you are an aspiring artist looking to break into the industry at their job fair or just someone who appreciates the sheer magic of bringing drawings to life, the energy here is absolutely infectious.
It is colourful, quirky, and packed with some of the most passionate, welcoming people you will ever meet. So, skip the usual weekend brunch routine and dive headfirst into a world of pure imagination. TAAFI is the ultimate secret celebration of art in motion, and you definitely want to be on the guest list.
The Details
How to Get There: The main film festival events are hosted at the iconic TIFF Lightbox, located at 350 King Street West in downtown Toronto. The easiest way to get there is by taking the TTC subway to St. Andrew Station and walking a few short blocks west.
Entrance Fees: There is a pass for every budget!
- Festival Passes (Film screenings only) range from $79 for students to $119 for general admission.
- Conference Passes (Industry panels and networking) range from $139 for students to $349 for general admission.
- Mega Passes (All access to everything) range from $209 for students to $449 for general admission. VIP upgrades are also available.
Dates and Hours: The festival runs annually in the spring. For 2026, the dates are April 8th to April 12th. Screening and panel hours vary each day, typically running from late morning into the late evening. Please check their official schedule online for the exact daily times.
What to Do Nearby:
You are right in the middle of the action! Before a screening, grab a coffee or a bite to eat at one of the countless trendy restaurants along King Street West. If you want to keep the visual inspiration going, take a 15-minute walk down to the Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada or head north to explore the eclectic, colourful streets of Kensington Market.
