TIFF creates separate festivals for children aged 3-13 and 14-18.

TIFF, the organization behind the Toronto International Film Festival, is to divide its children’s festival Sprockets Toronto International Film Festival for Children and Youth into two separate festivals aimed at different age groups.

Running from April 10-22, 2012, the TIFF Kids International Film Festival will be cater for children aged 3-13 and include premieres, special guests, workshops, competitions and online activities within the TIFF Bell Lightbox and first floor gallery space.

The new TIFF Kids digiPlaySpace will include interactive installations, learning-centric games, apps, new digital creative tools and hands-on production activities.

The TIFF Next Wave Film Festival will run May 10-12, 2012 and engage youth aged 14-18 with programming aimed at a teen audience.

“We’ve had the pleasure of seeing our children’s film festival grow at a phenomenal pace into one of the most prominent and respected in the world, one that is extremely successful with children in elementary and middle schools and with teen audiences”, said Shane Smith, director of public programmes, TIFF. “It’s fitting that as we celebrate our 15 th anniversary, we separate our programming into two festivals that allow us to broaden and deepen the selection and experience for each audience, as well as their families and educators.”