Premiere of ‘Lil Nas X’ documentary at TIFF delayed due to bomb threat

The world premiere of Lil Nas’ documentary “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero.”

The gala screening was scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. at Roy Thomson Hall, one of TIFF’s premier venues. The documentary’s co-directors Carlos López Estrada and Zac Manuel, as well as editor Andrew Morrow, were first on the red carpet and posed with fans lining the entrance. But as her test subject, pop superstar Lil Nas diversity. The threat was specifically aimed at the rapper because he is a black queer artist, a source added.

TIFF representatives did not respond to an immediate request for comment.

Nas’ arrival was delayed for 20 minutes while TIFF security searched the venue. After the threat was determined not to be credible, he joined Estrada and Manuel on the red carpet and the screening began around 10:30 p.m.

In its 46-year history, TIFF has been relatively accident-free when it comes to safety. In 2017, the festival invested in stricter cybersecurity measures after a hack at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah crippled box office capacity and citywide Wi-Fi connections. In 2018, Toronto introduced bomb-sniffing dogs and bag checks at screenings in response to local terrorist attacks (including a public shooting and the killing of ten innocents when a driver intentionally rammed a van onto a sidewalk).

In an exclusive interview ahead of the documentary’s premiere, Nas shared diversity about the impact he believes the film will have on audiences, particularly as it deals with issues of representation.

“I know that in my life, while I’m here, I’m going to do my best to reach the limit that we can reach as black, queer people,” Nas said. “And I mean unattainable, because it’s way beyond that can go out.”

He continued, “I feel like we’re living in a generation where black, queer people are really controlling the culture and helping to really take the world to the next level.” And I think that’s going to reflect on that impact that our youth are watching us.”