tiff 2011

by Trina Stewart

They’re baaaack! The 2011 TIFF – Toronto International Film Festival kicks off today!

Celebrities and filmmakers, production personnel and movie-goers descend upon Toronto for the next few days in a film frenzy.

If you’re vying for the opportunity to meet your favorite celebrity during a Gala Screening at Roy Thompson Hall, think again. My weekend at TIFF is rushed and planned with a wide array of events. Choosing to wait three hours at the hall’s gate for the slim opportunity of a photo op isn’t how I want to spend it. Do you?

Here are a few tips that will surely grant any star gazer a glimpse or photo op with Madonna, Clooney, Pitt or other celebs in town for the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival.

Yorkville and Bloor are prime places to encounter an impromptu star sighting. While hanging around hotels may appear cheesy, it is the best way to get a glimpse and perhaps a picture with your fave celeb!

tiff1 — Impromptu shot of Blake Lively being interviewed by Sue Scambati, TIFF 2010

Starbucks on Yorkville is prime territory because even celebrities need their coffee fix! We met Jason Reitman twice at 2 different Starbucks in Toronto!

Last year, the Bell Lightbox also drew in numerous celebrities. I’m sure we’ll see more events this year catered to the rich and famous. Watch out for the gracious Tilda Swindon on Sunday September 11.

Keep your eyes wide open at all times. Celebrities do not look like celebrities when they are dressed down, especially women.

Look for Gala Presentations at smaller venues, like Isabel Bader Theatre. I was fortunate to meet both Jennifer Aniston (2008) and Will Ferrell (2010) at this venue.

When meeting a celebrity, be cool about it. The kinder you are, the more courteous and obliging they’ll be. Treat them like a human first. Rachelle Lefevre (2009), of Twilight, was completely disgusted when two people tried to get her autograph in the middle of Avenue Road.

The most inappropriate time to get an autograph or converse with a celebrity is in a public washroom. I literally held the door open for Emily Blunt (2009), was in the next stall to her as she had a telephone conversation, and washed my hands with her. Even an avid celebrity voyeur has more common courtesy than to ask for a photo or autograph at that time! Let her leave with some dignity in tact.

tiff2 — Second Starbucks sighting with Jason Reitman

Check out Much Music, CBC, and MTV Canada to see if they are hosting any events or having a celebrity interview. Ask for tickets. In 2009, my daughter and her friend seen Drew Barrymore, at MuchMusic. Keep an eye on their website.

Other good spots to star gaze:

Hotels: The Four Seasons (21 Avenue Rd.) is also a key location. Hang in the lobby. Stars take the short cut to reach Yorkville. You could also book yourself a table at the hotel’s “Avenue” restaurant, where I saw Kevin Spacey, Zach Galifianakis, Matt Damon and Clint Eastwood boogie to Timbaland’s The Way I Are. Hard to beat.

Restos: Starbucks on Yorkville, Buca on King W., Brassaii (461 King St. W.), Sotto Sotto (116 Avenue Rd.), Cheval, Bistro 990 and Summer’s Sweet Memories ice cream parlour on Yorkville.

If you take in all that the Toronto Film Festival has to offer and are fortunate to see a celeb or two, you’ve got it made. The Film Festival is the 2nd largest in the world, so why not embrace it and become part of it?

Trina Stewart, from Cambridge Ontario, is a successful Sales and Marketing Consultant by day, and a Canadian Lifestyle Blogger by night at http://www.lifesablog.ca.

by Trina Stewart

As the heat of summer draws to a close and the hint of fall creeps up upon us, the stars begin to shine in Toronto, Ontario. Yes, it IS the most wonderful time of the year – the fall harvest, back to school, and most importantly, the Toronto International Film Festival.

Better known as TIFF to locals, filmmakers from around the world including Hollywood’s best take over the streets of Toronto to celebrate film.

The Toronto International Film Festival is a yearly event at our place. Coming from Cambridge, Ontario, my daughter and I commit to attending three of the ten days, along with a couple of impromptu visits during the week.

However, unlike the typical TIFF attendee, we do not purchase tickets to any of the films. We simply play it by ear and if we’re fortunate to get our hands on Rush Tickets, then our job is done!

Star gazers and locals may not realize this but there is a vast array of things to do during TIFF that requires low-fee or no fee.

Bell Lightbox

This beautifully developed architecture is a celebration of movies and the festival year-round. This year Fellini: Spectacular Obsessions is the spotlight at the HSBC Gallery, for the duration of the Film Festival.

This is the new heart of the festival so there will be a lot of star gazing in this area.

Star Gazing

If you’re strolling through Yorkville and Bloor Streets in Toronto, one cannot help but notice the swarms of people surrounding the Four Seasons Hotel, and various other hotels in the area. This is where the celebrities stay and hold press conferences during their stay. While the waiting may seem tiring, you are sure to spot a celebrity or two.

Dundas Square

The schedule is not posted as of yet, however, Dundas Square generally hosts special events geared towards the Film Festival.

Queen Street

Be sure to check out all of the events at Much Music as often they will host TIFF related events. This is also another Toronto location where you may get a glimpse of a celebrity or two.

Rush Tickets

Last minute seats may open up and people in the rush line will get first crack at purchasing any seats that come available. Sales are cash only and there no guarantee anyone in the rush line will get tickets.

Keep an eye on various websites like Toronto Life and Now! Magazine for upcoming events not posted as of yet. There’s always something to do and something to see during TIFF – the challenge is keeping up with it all!

Trina Stewart, from Cambridge Ontario, is a successful Sales and Marketing Consultant by day, and a Canadian Lifestyle Blogger by night at http://www.lifesablog.ca.

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