The decision to use TIFF-branded cheerleaders at the festival's closing night party is "unacceptable" and undermines the organization's efforts involving women in film, a Toronto woman says.

Alison Zimmer attended the Saturday night event that capped the 10-day festival and said she saw "women in skimpy TIFF-branded cheerleading outfits" greeting party guests.

I'd have way more fun at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TIFF16?src=hash">#TIFF16</a> parties if there were not women literally hired to be decorative <a href="https://t.co/uHBjBmaBQf">pic.twitter.com/uHBjBmaBQf</a> —@ali_zimmer

TIFF confirmed there were women dressed as cheerleaders for the prom-themed, invite-only event and that they were hired for the party.

"What does it say to the women who work for TIFF, the female filmmakers and industry guests and the general public when they walk into an official TIFF event to see women treated as objects," Zimmer wrote in a Facebook post.

"What tone does it set for how women are to be treated, respected? For me, this undoes any goodwill from the endless women in film panels, strides towards equity in programming and stated commitments to representation."

Zimmer, a former TIFF employee, said she contacted the organization and received an email response as well as a public reply on its Facebook page.

TIFF declined to comment further on the matter and instead referred CBC News to its Facebook post.

In its response, TIFF thanked Zimmer for raising her concerns and said it would take her comments into consideration in planning future events.

"We're always looking to improve our work culture and our events," the organization wrote.

TIFF confirmed that the women were hired for both its opening and closing night events.