Guest Author - Lorna London Sloukji

The annual Toronto International Film Festival, otherwise known as TIFF, boasts a wide selection of films, featuring Hollywood celebrities and emerging talent.

This year, TIFF takes place from September 4-13 in various downtown Toronto theatres, such as Roy Thomson Hall, Cumberland, Scotiabank Theatre, and the Isabel Bader Theatre.

The TIFF is organized in several categories to help movie lovers choose which films they’d like to see based on personal interest.
Film categories in the TIFF include:

- Canada First which celebrates Canadian talent.
- Canadian Open Vault which features a recently restored classic Canadian film.
- Discovery which screens contemporary international films brought to audiences by new filmmakers.
- Gala Presentations which boast premiers of Canadian and international film, such as past screenings of North Country.
- Midnight Madness where those who love thrillers can enjoy spooky films.
- Real to Reel which focus on films that deal with current world and political issues.
- Sprockets Family Zone which is a new program in the TIFF that features contemporary international children’s films.
Every year, more and more Hollywood celebrities come to Toronto in honour and recognition of film excellence. This year, Torontonians can spot several celebs at the TIFF hot spots like the Drake Hotel, Rosewater Supper Club, Prego, Ultra Supper Club, Century Room, and Sassafraz.

Film in Toronto echoes the sentiment of art and culture this city thrives on as TIFF highlights movies from both emerging and established filmmakers. Spike Lee says, “The people in Toronto really appreciate films. Toronto’s a great vehicle, a great launchpad.”

So, what titles can you look forward to over the next week?

Me and Orson Welles
Religulous
New York, I Love You
The Hurt Locker
The Wrestler
The Brothers Bloom
Pontypool
Burn After Reading
Daytime Drinking
The Paranoids
The Good, The Bad, The Weird
Rachel Getting Married

For the first time this year, TIFF will host a free closing night screening of the movie that wins the Cadillac People’s Choice Award for most popular film.

TIFF is also known for giving celebs great swag bags, including moisturizers, vitamins, and accessories they can use for the red carpet.

Featured film: Rachel Getting Married
Anne Hathaway plays Kym, a young woman whose family wants her to go to rehab, and is reluctant to have her attend her sister’s wedding. Rosemarie DeWitt, who plays the sister (Rachel), also has personal issues with the family, which unfolds into even more sibling rivalry and competition for the spotlight.