Film Reference Library, Special library and cinematheque at TIFF Bell Lightbox, Toronto, Canada
The Film Reference Library is a research collection housed in TIFF Bell Lightbox with extensive materials on cinema and filmmaking practice. The archive brings together books, films, scripts, photographs, and research files covering filmmakers, genres, and film movements.
The institution took over holdings from the Ontario Film Institute in 1990 after the Province selected it as custodian of film collections. Since that handover, it has steadily accumulated and preserved materials documenting North American and international film history.
The collections examine how film shapes culture across generations and the lives of those who create cinema. Through the materials here, visitors see how movies function as historical records that reflect the times they were made.
The archive is located on the upper floors of TIFF Bell Lightbox and is accessible for research purposes. Visitors should arrange an appointment beforehand to ensure materials they need are prepared and available.
The Brian Linehan Research Room holds personal archives from a celebrated film journalist featuring rare documents about cinema figures and entertainment history. This collection offers perspectives on film criticism and celebrity culture that are difficult to find elsewhere.
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