TIFF: That's a Wrap!

The red carpets are all rolled up and put away through the streets of Toronto after an incredible 11-day run with over 300 films and countless star-studded events. But there's one last show left, the Cadillac People's Choice Awards to commemorate TIFF winners for favourite film, favourite midnight madness film and favourite doc. 

BELL LIGHTBOX

The 35th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival was a transition year, marked by the opening of the new Bell Lightbox in the heart of Toronto's Entertainment district. As the city moved South to it's new TIFF King Street location, visitors were awe-struck by the state-of-the-art screening facility. It's a place to take in culture, soak up society and to see and be seen from day to dinner. This photo was snapped while stepping out of the Cadillac for a premiere gala opening at the TIFF lightbox.

Dress & Accessories by Pam Chorley's Fashion Crimes

The Boss

The Boss arrives in a black Cadillac for the Gala TIFF premiere of "The Promise: Making of the Darkness on the Edge of Town".

CFC BBQ

Norman Jewison's annual Canadian Film Centre BBQ is always one of my favourite TIFF parties. A gathering in celebration of film in Canada is rare and much deserved, the guests are all fabulous & in the biz with lots of news to share, and the casual vibe of the daytime BBQ is a nice break from all the razzle & dazzle of the nighttime events. I sported my paint-splattered dress by NADA designs for the occasion.

I bumped into producer Justin Levine of Stardust Pictures, and actors David Phillips & Jefferson Brown - whom I all worked with on Shark City. It was a joyous reunion! Justin was in from LA and has been working on several new projects, notably a Kate Bosworth film coming soon.

Here we are, horsing around after downing some Licks hamburgers.

I had the great honour to speak with Slawko Klymkiw about the importance of the Canadian Film Centre and shook hands with Academy award winning writer and director Paul Haggis to congratulate him on the present and forward-looking success of the CFC.

Artists for Peace and Justice

Artists for Peace and Justice fundraiser was a swanky TIFF fête all for Haitian relief. The event boasted a star-studded line-up to support the APJ cause, including Paul Haggis, James Franco, AnnaLynne McCord, Martin Sheen, Josh Brolin, Kathleen Robertson, George Stroumboulopoulos, Lisa Tant & Rachel McAdams.

realTVfilms Gifting Lounge

Some serious swag was had at the realTVfilms social media & gifting lounge right down the street from the Filmmakers Lounge. The amazing team straight from LA opened their doors to Toronto International Film Festival VIPs to be pampered in their relaxing lounge, offering an abundance of gifts and services -- including a masseuse, hair & makeup artists, satiating food & beverage, and even eyelash extensions, a unique Japanese turned celebrity beauty trend.

The hi-lite of my guided tour was choosing a new pair of frames from Les Pieces Uniques. (Seeing as David Cronenberg dug my glasses so much, I figure what better time but now to add to my collection.)  The Italian line exudes quality & elegant face-flattering designs.

Choosing my new frames from Les Pieces Uniques

To end my tour, I was interviewed by the lovely Samantha Gutstadt and treated like a real VIP with a mini photo shoot. I'm glad I chose to wear my go-to chic & ultra-comfy dress by Nada Designs for the unexpected photo opp! I left feeling refreshed and ready to take on another glamorous night of TIFF.

Photo Opp at realTVfilms gifting lounge, wearing Psalms 9:11 Accessories and dress by: Nada Designs

Alliance Films Party

Tonight we talked with Lennox Lewis, Rachel Blanchard, and Liane Balaban, to name a few. This all went down at the Alliance Films party on the red carpet to celebrate their 2010 TIFF line-up of movies. rock-it promotions has a rep for putting together the hottest parties in Toronto, and they certainly dazzled us again, this time with their star-studded list of notable invitees, check out our Festival Insider coverage:

HI-LITE of my week - Martin Sheen teaches me the Laurence Fishburne handshake

At the Artists for Peace and Justice Toronto fundraiser, Martin Sheen teaches me the handshake he learned from Laurence Fishburne:

Opening Night

The crowd was going wild at Roy Thompson Hall as the puck dropped for the face-off of the Toronto International Film Festival. One of the first films to hit the silver screen at TIFF was Canadian, and very appropriately, it was all about hockey, and interestingly, it was... a musical -- called "Score! A Hockey Musical", the story of a young phemon hockey player who gets discovered overnight. The film features stars such as Nelly Furtado, George Stroumboulopoulos and ... wait for it ...  Olivia Newton-John! So Grease Lightening is the word, keep an eye out for her loving portrayal of the hockey mom when the flick hits cinemas later this year. 





Accessories: MICALLA jewelry & design 
Video courtesy of: Cadillac Festival Insider

NY Times Canadian Photo Archive Exhibit @ TORO Film Industry Lounge

'Twas the first night of TIFF and all through the party the vibe was a-rockin'! Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg (Eastern Promises) came out in support of his daughter, photographer Caitlin Cronenberg, for the her private preview display of RED-the NY Times Canadian Photo Archive Exhibit.

David takes an interest in wearing my glasses, we strike a pose:

Jewlery by MICALLA jewelry & design with David Cronenberg (left) 

It was a chilly evening, so I was thrilled to have on-hand for opening night my most-adored "Evening Jacket" by Sarah Stevenson Designs. Here is a photo snapped while sharing stories with Kenny (from Kenny vs. Spenny) and Justin "R-Rated" Rego from The Bachelorette.

Caught eating poutine while catching up with pop star Danny Fernandes, he's releasing a new album soon...!

And here's a moment with the belle of the ball, Caitlin Cronenberg herself!

Wearing "Evening Jacket" by  Sarah Stevenson Design with Caitlin Cronenberg (left)

TIFF-Land, opening soon...

TIFF-land in Toronto is the most exciting time of year. The whole energy of the city changes, and all the sudden you've got the hippest destination spot in the world -- a combination of New York, LA, Int'l & beyond. And it's all here in the safety and comfort of our beautiful Canada. The Toronto International Film Festival is the most talked about film fest across the globe, and it's getting bigger and bigger every year. 

Above: the famous Bell Lightbox is almost ready for the great unveiling on Sunday September 11th. It took eight years to build and $196 million. This will be the new home for the festival. The new locale is a stretch from the posh, polished & swanky Yorkville, but King Street is in the heart of downtown Toronto, and no doubt the hub of our city's theatre, film, clubland, restaurant and over-all entertainment action. 

The Cadillac Festival Insider  blog is up and running, so we got together today to shoot some pre-TIFF segments. I decided to wear one of my new go-to pieces, the Shift Dress with Art Nouveau print by Sarah Stevenson. It's 100% silk, my favorite, feels so luxe. Sarah is an up and coming Canadian designer, her designs are so elegant and feminine, and totally wearable. Her signature silk dresses feel like a second skin. 

"Shift Dress" by Sarah Stevenson 

You can follow my TIFF adventures on my Twitter & FestivalInsider's Twitter. 

INSIDE JOB - TIFF2010 - Thursday Sep 9

TIFF 2010 begins this Thursday September 9th.

MOVIE: INSIDE JOB Thurs Sep 9th Ryerson; 9pm

INSIDE JOB - Tells the great reveal of the underbelly workings of the

Financial Crisis that ensued in our generation's great economic

meltdown of 2008. Add some star appeal with narration by

Matt Damon, and what we get is a dazzling and gritty tell-all of the

private games & shocking interlocking evidence between the government,

the investment banks and the top dog top Wall Street earners who

(inadvertently?) set out to take money from the average investor.