For ten days in September, the Toronto International Film Festival, or TIFF as it is commonly known, sees films stars descend upon the city to support their films. From Academy Award winning actors, to screenwriters, and directors, TIFF and the city of Toronto welcomes the film community with open arms.
For any star-struck fan, celebrity sightings during TIFF are easier than one might imagine.
Where to See Celebrities During TIFF: Red Carpet Premieres
Red carpet film premieres makes up a large amount of TIFF screenings. These big, sometimes show stopping galas feature red carpet entrances from the film’s stars both on screen and off, and are usually held at Roy Thompson Hall and the Elgin Theatre at the VISA Screening Room.
One does not necessarily need a ticket to the film to get the full red carpet experience. Since all films on the TIFF schedule are open to the general public, it is easy for fans to line the theatre entrances. The theatres with major gala presentations like Roy Thompson Hall, the Elgin Theatre, and the Ryerson Theatre have crowd barriers which line the carpet. Spectators are allowed to gather behind the crowd barriers and take pictures of the stars as they speak to reporters and pose for pictures for the media. Stars often come over and sign autographs, shake hand with fans, and pose for pictures if time permits.
However, it should be noted that not all stars will have time or desire to stop and interact with the crowds.
Film Question and Answer Periods with Stars
Films at TIFF typically have two to three screenings per film over the course of the festival. Generally speaking, the first showing of a given film will attract stars to the screening to introduce the film. Cast and crew members present are generally called up on stage by the festival programmer and introduced to the crowd. Here the director, screenwriter, or actor may say a few words about the film that is about to be screened. Flash photography is permitted at this time, although audience members must be sure to put away cameras before the film starts.
As an added bonus for ticket holders, the first showing of most films will feature a question and answer or Q&A with the audience after the film. At this time, the cast and crew involved will be invited back on stage and will share their thoughts on the film with the audience. Usually, these Q&A sessions are moderated by the TIFF programmer who selected the film. The programmer typically starts the conversation off by engaging the talent on stage with pertinent questions before turning the questions over to the audience. At this point, members of the audience may put up their hand to be called upon to ask the group, or a particular member of the cast, screenwriter, or director a question about the film. Flash photography and video recording are also permitted at this time.
Celebrity Sightings Outside the Toronto International Film Festival
Many celebrities spend a few nights in Toronto while in town promoting their films, due to the often hectic schedules surrounding film premieres and press conferences. Intrepid fans can be seen staking out celebrity hotspots in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood, including upscale hotels and pricey restaurants, also this method is not encouraged.
However, there are no guarantees that stars will be present or willing to acknowledge fans outside of festival events as this is their private time. The best bet to catch a glimpse of popular celebrities from around the world is to catch them on screen during the festival or at one of the many red carpets.
Rachel West - Rachel resides in Toronto, Ontario and works as an Online Merchandiser for Entertainment, writing about the latest DVDs and CDs for a high ...
