International Festival of Authors

Celebrating its 35th year, the International Festival of Authors brings together the world's best writers of contemporary literature for 11 days of readings, interviews, lectures, round table discussions, public book signings and number of special events.

Since its inception in 1974, IFOA has played an important role in the cultural life of Canada.

Each year, IFOA presents the finest international novelists, poets, playwrights, short story writers and biographers, and provides Canadian writers with an internationally recognized forum in which to present their work.

Incorporated in 1986 as a non-profit organization with a mandate to cultivate and advance the cause of literature, the organization operates under the principal sponsorship of Harbourfront Centre, Toronto’s leading multidisciplinary centre for contemporary arts. IFOA is home to a weekly event series (September to June), the annual International Festival of Authors (October) and, for younger readers, YoungIFOA (October) and ALOUD: a Celebration for Young Readers with Forest of Reading® Festival of Trees™ (May), presented with the Ontario Library Association.

The Festival and weekly series together have held readings, round table discussions, interviews and performances involving over 8,000 authors from more than 100 countries. In 2007, IFOA introduced its touring programme, IFOA Ontario, which now visits communities in numerous cities and towns across the province. More information about this programming can be found on http://litontour.com.