TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

A Bomb Threat Delayed Lil Nas X’s Documentary Premiere At The 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, According To Organizers

by
Lil Nas X Versace Fashion Show Fashion Week 2023
Getty Image

Through his Grammy Award-winning music and several racy photoshoots posted on social media, Lil Nas X has shared parts of his life with fans. His new documentary, Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero, directed by Carlos López Estrada and Zac Manuel, is another look into superstar life. But the project’s 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) world premiere almost didn’t happen.

According to Variety, on Saturday, September 9, local authorities notified organizers that they had received a bomb threat in relation to the event. To ensure the safety of the confirmed attendees, fans, and event staff, the screening, set to take place at Roy Thomson Hall, was delayed as they investigated the claims further.

A representative from TIFF shared a statement with the outlet confirming that the incident was handled with care. Read the full statement below.

Earlier this evening, we were made aware by the Toronto Police Service of an investigation in the vicinity of the red carpet for the ‘Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero’ screening. Our standard security measures remained in place during this time, and the screening commenced with a slight delay. To our knowledge, this was a general threat and not directed at the film or the artist.

Fortunately, the screening took place after the assessment was complete. Lil Nas X, alongside his father and two nephews, walked the red carpet before taking their seats inside the venue.

The 2023 Toronto International Film Festival is set to take place until September 17 at various venues. Tickets for the Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero screenings are on sale now. Find more information here.

The ‘Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero’ Documentary Is Coming And Is Set To Debut At The 2023 Toronto International Film Festival

by
Lil Nas X 2023
Getty Image

If you ever wanted to take a look into the mind of Lil Nas X, your chance is nearly here. The “Industry Baby” rapper will bring his talents, or at least a film centered on them, to the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Filmmakers Carlos López Estrada and Zac Manuel’s directorial undertaking, Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero, will debut globally at the esteemed festival starting September 9.

The documentary, filmed during Lil Nas X’s Long Live Montero World Tour, is described on the TIFF website: “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero offers a joyous immersion in the world of a game-changing artist and the fans who’ve joined him in that change. To watch concertgoers express what it means to share space with a Black, gay superstar, with their fellow fans, and with thousands of families brought into their world through the power of pop music, is to capture a precious image of how transformation happens.”

TIFF’s CEO Cameron Bailey spoke about the selection in a statement, saying, “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero is a triumphant ode to the extraordinary power of self-expression, music, and identity. In this groundbreaking documentary, we witness Lil Nas X challenging boundaries and reshaping the artistic landscape. The film’s captivating journey underscores the profound impact of Lil Nas X, who fearlessly brings audiences together through the universal language of music. We are thrilled to host Lil Nas X at TIFF this year.”

The 2023 Toronto International Film Festival is set to take place between September 9 and 17 at various venues. Tickets for the Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero screenings are on sale now. Find more information here.