Toronto
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TORONTO PHOTOS AND NOTES, #1
The IFP organized a screening series at TIFF this year for RBC, the Royal Bank of Canada, at the Thompson Hotel. The event turned into a four-night run of Ryan O’Nan’s festival selection, The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best, which knocked out the crowd each night. As I moderated the Q&A’s, I can attest: this film plays. The movie was selected for the IFP’s Narrative Lab just this past summer, and it happily surprised all of us by finishing so quickly and making it to Toronto. The Brooklyn Brothers is a totally winning tale of a makeshift band on a […]
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TORONTO IS A PUZZLE
This is my first time at TIFF, and I have to admit, it is a puzzle. Look at this picture — that’s only the press and industry screenings! Notice the puzzlement and confusion of the professionals, even. I also find the transportation system puzzling, and spend a lot of time in taxis. Everyone likes to complain about traffic in Toronto and it is de rigeur to show up to a screening at the AMC Theatres panting and sweating. I had two films premiere this weekend (three cheers!!) and they were very well-received (three cheers!!) But mostly every buyer I meet […]
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FREE AT TIFF
There are some great films/events going on during TIFF that are free of charge. See below. This is not a Film Jafar Panahi and Mojtaba Mirtahmasb, Iran (Toronto Premiere) Sentenced to six years in prison and banned from writing and making films for 20 years by the Islamic Republic Court in Tehran, Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi waited for the verdict of his court appeal for months. Through the depiction of a day in his life while he’s on house arrest, Jafar Panahi and Mojtaba Mirtahmasb (a documentary filmmaker and former assistant director) offer audiences an overview of the current situation […]
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CAMERON’S PICKS
In this video TIFF co-director Cameron Bailey gives his movie picks. Go to the TIFF site for more daily picks.
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TIFF TIX TIPS
With the festival already upon us we probably don’t have to tell you that your chances to get tickets to this year’s TIFF are slim. But there’s no hurt in trying. In this video below, the folks at TIFF explain the easy ways you can purchase single tickets (which at this point are your best bet). And here’s an interactive festival ticket guide.
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STAR MAPS
If you’re heading to TIFF in the hopes to partake in some star sightings but have no clue where the hot spots are in Toronto, here’s a top 10 list that will point you in the right direction. And check out indieWIRE’s annual Insider’s Guide for the best places to eat, drink and shop while in Toronto.
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WHAT WE’VE HEARD SO FAR…
Even big time festivals goof up sometimes, Steven Soderbergh has finished his documentary on Spalding Gray and buzz builds for Tom Ford’s A Single Man.
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51 MUST-KNOWS
Toronto Life lists the 51 hotspots that you should be aware of if you want to survive TIFF 09. From where to get coffee to where you can see the celebs this is an essential guide. They also have a list of bars that have received licenses to stay open past last call during the fest.
