This review is solely based on previous year's tiff experience, I've been lucky enough to attend gala events in the last 3 years and each time the Elgin has proven itself able to hold it's own amidst big time celebrities, major red carpet events and big news items.
It's a beautiful building and really gives off a vibe telling you that you're in a special place. I've never been up to the smaller Winter Garden, but the Elgin itself is a large theatre.
It misses out on the 5 star review for happenings outside the venue. If you're a fan that's crowded outside on the other side of Yonge for hours for a glimpse of your favourite celebrity, that's all you're going to get, a glimpse while they get off their Cadillac SUVs and stride across the red carpet which is actually inside the venue and can't be seen at all. This is especially frustrating as the Elgin & Winter Garden play host to some of the biggest tiff events (with the other venue being Roy Thomson Hall).
But apart from that the Elgin is a must see venue for tiff (Even if it's not a gala event), it is definitely paying the extra price to catch a tiff movie in here.
Director and cast seating:
Usually on the middle in the orchestra seating area.