Laying down a blanket and waiting for the sun to set amongst a field full of movie lovers is summertime bliss. But during our highly anticipated #HotVaxSummer, attending a screening by the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show (TOPS) is that much more meaningful and exciting.

From late July to Labour Day Weekend, the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show will return to Fort York National Historic Site to present a safe summer season of free outdoor cinema. This year is titled TOPS & Friends, partnering with a variety of film festivals to create a beautiful and memorable programme. Friends include Inside Out, Vector Festival, Toronto Palestine Film Festival, Regent Park Film Festival, Breakthroughs Film Festival, Goethe-Institut Toronto, and the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, who will each present one screening as guest curators. 

“We at TOPS and the wonderful staff at Fort York are very proud of what we were able to create last summer. For urban citizens who explore the city on foot or by bicycle, there were so few arts and culture options amid the pandemic, and it was a truly special experience to enjoy cinema with our friends and neighbours last August. This summer, we look forward to sharing this special site with our friends in the local film festival community who haven’t engaged in person with their own audiences in well over a year.” says Artistic & Executive Director Emily Reid.

It’s going to be a stellar lineup. Film announcements will roll out starting in early July; stay tuned for updates by following them on social media and/or signing up for their newsletter. Last year’s spots filled up within minutes of being announced—this is a summertime favourite for good reason.