After 11 days of star-studded action featuring over 300 feature film, short and series debuts, another installation of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is over — and boy, was it ever a good one! TIFF is always one of my favourite times of the year because it means meeting incredible actors and film talent, seeing amazing movies before the rest of the world, reuniting with tons of festival friends and getting my exercise in for the year. 😉
This year’s festival essentials included tons of water and caffeine, under-eye concealer, lip balm, my light-up phone case (best investment!) and, if we’re being real here, prior experience. To a first-year fest-goer, TIFF can be a stressful one. Luckily, I’ve been in your shoes — and am almost ready to consider myself a seasoned veteran after eight years!
Read on for five insider secrets on experiencing TIFF like a pro!
Look out for celebs everywhere in the city…
From Little Portugal, to Yorkville and of course the Entertainment District, celebrity hangouts and press spots were all over the city this year. Working next to The Hollywood Reporter’s pop-up interview suite in the Financial District definitely had its perks, bringing numerous famous faces (and free popcorn) to my locale. See the photo evidence below — hello, Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones! Even movie lovers in Leslieville could enjoy a celeb run-in, as Tom Hanks, at TIFF for A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, made headlines for his surprise appearance at Grinder Coffee. The coffee shop caught the attention of Ryan Gosling last year in a similar viral campaign. Too good!
…and be ready for sightings throughout the entire festival.
Generally you can expect to see your fave actors the day before, of and after their premieres as they do the media rounds and rock the red carpet. But sometimes celebs will come in early or stay late to enjoy the festival action — after all, they’re movie lovers just like us! Stars like Shailene Woodley (Endings, Beginnings) and Adam Sandler (Uncut Gems) extended their trips to hold Q&As at second screenings of their movies or take in attractions around town. Just because I’m still laughing at it, don’t miss this video of Sandler getting yelled at by a harasser in Yonge-Dundas Square.
https://twitter.com/big_business_/status/1170915239262588928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1170915239262588928&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogto.com%2Ffilm%2F2019%2F09%2Ftoronto-man-screaming-adam-sandler-yonge-dundas-square%2F
Sometimes even actors without a movie at the fest will come join in on the fun. Case in point: TIFF regular Timothée Chalamet snuck into the city to enjoy the 6ix and catch the premiere of Uncut Gems. He even joined pal and Gems star The Weeknd for dinner and the film’s after party at new King St. West venue Arcane.
https://twitter.com/TimotheeUpdates/status/1172984364113829888
Another celeb spotted in the city early in the fest: Priyanka Chopra-Jonas! The Bollywood icon hit up all the major press spots to promote her film The Sky is Pink, stopping for pics with fans (myself included!) along the way. That brings me to my next point…
Watch for special events throughout the fest to get exclusive, intimate experiences with the stars!
There is nothing like browsing your phone and getting a direct message notification on Twitter inviting you to an intimate event with Priyanka Chopra-Jonas. Not only have I thought she’s an incredible actress for years but I mean, she’s my childhood husband’s now real-life wife!! (Still slightly jealous but no biggie.)
Pri’s team hosted a social media contest to reward her biggest Toronto fans with an exciting, exclusive experience before she jetted off to her next city. She was so gracious, spending almost 45 minutes with about 25 of us chatting, signing autographs and taking pictures. “PCJ” was happy to sign our selfie from the weekend before and ensured we got a new photo with flash on and no one in the background — she gets it!
This year’s TIFF featured many other unique opportunities to get up close and personal with the top-buzzed casts. Deadline’s podcast series at Love Child Social House welcomed Steven Silver (lead) and Ali LeRoi (director) from The Obituary of Tunde Johnson, and a Twitter event at Assembly Chef’s Hall hosted the cast of Hustlers. (Shoutout to my man Mr. Will Wong on his EPIC selfie with J-Lo!) My best advice: follow the industry’s top publications, including THR and Deadline, on Twitter and Instagram to get notified of special events you can attend — for free!
It’s not just about the films and movie stars — enjoy the free goodies!
Speaking of free things, Festival Street — the section of King St. West from Peter Street to University Avenue — is home to all of TIFF’s pop-ups, brand activations and Instagram-friendly photo spots. Here you will also find the famous TIFF signs that are a social media staple each year.
Across from Roy Thomson Hall, the Pure Leaf tea booth was a life saver on hot days while I was running from venue to venue, but I also just couldn’t get enough of their mango hibiscus samples. Capital D ‘Delicious.’ This is definitely the place to be between screenings! #notspon #justthatgood
The TIFF Fan Zones are your friend.
A recent add to the festival experience, two venues in the heart of Festival Street — Roy Thomson Hall and Princess of Wales — now feature ‘fan zones’ for gala premieres. These zones get you as close to the red carpet action as possible, standing right in front of the car arrivals area. I’ll be the first to admit I wasn’t a fan of these when they were first introduced — I actually enjoyed the general admission, survival of the fittest-style carpet experience. But after repeated success with this year’s Fan Zone at Roy Thomson Hall, I’m so thankful for them! It’s the best way to meet some of the fest’s biggest stars (Finn Wolfhard! Michael B. Jordan! Priyanka!), and you can get a good spot whether you come 4 hours or 40 minutes before the carpet starts. I’m already planning on doing more next year!
Did you have success with the stars or catch a film (or two, or five) at this year’s TIFF? Let me know!
Until next year, TIFF! #TIFF20 xx
