FESTIVAL INSIDER » Toronto

amfAR CINEMA AGAINST AIDS Toronto benefit raises more than 1 million dollars – MARTIN SHEEN and son EMILIO ESTEVEZ host

Richard Budman — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 21:43:50 +0000

photo: Festival Insider SKYE on arrival at The Carlu for the amfAR Cinema Against Aids Toronto benefit. Skye is wearing Pizzicato hoops and bracelet by Psalms 91:1 Accessories (September 12, 2010 / R.Budman)

One of the swankier events held during Toronto International Film Festival week was the amfAR black-tie fundraising Gala – Cinema Against AIDS held at the Carlu. More than 500 guests attended including Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez, and Kelly Roland, and a who’s who of the Toronto arts scene.

The evening included cocktails, dinner, a luxury live auction, and performances by Broadway, film, and television star Cheyenne Jackson and the recently reunited band Ace of Base. More than $1 million dollars was raised for amfAR and Dignitas.

The Town’s BLAKE LIVELY makes a stunning red carpet appearance at Toronto Film Festival Gala premiere

Richard Budman — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 16:03:19 +0000

photos: Gossip Girl star BLAKE LIVELY made an eagerly awaited appearance for the Gala premiere of THE TOWN. The Ben Affleck directed bank heist drama has Blake starring with a powerful cast that includes Jon Hamm, Rebecca Hall, and Jeremy Renner. (George Pimentel photos)

Lively’s movie career is on fire of late and Blake has hinted she wouldn’t mind if the Gossip Girl producers killed her off the successful television show. Lively has two years remaining on her Gossip Girl contract and it’s doubtful producers would let her out early. It’s not often you have a television series filled with a cast of burgeoning movie stars.

Even Blake’s Gossip Girl co-star Penn Badgely (and real-life boyfriend) is at the Toronto Film Festival supporting his own film.

WANT TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE TOWN RED CARPET ARRIVALS – CHECK OUR FLICKR STREAM

Fade to Black – The Cadillacs have wrapped their starring role in the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival

Richard Budman — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:46:38 +0000

We have wrapped! And what an amazing TIFF’09 it has been. We put our best shine on and traveled to 21 Gala film premieres at Roy Thomson Hall and hundreds more at other Toronto theatres. We have met wonderful people from the United States, Europe, India, Asia, The Middle East, and Australia. We got numerous movie stars, TIFF helpers, worried publicists, (and one particular tiffinsider) to their screenings and press engagements on time. We even occasionally got that curious “what stars are you riding with?” look from Toronto bystanders. We have been left with the enchanting scents of beautiful actresses and actors – and even the occasional mess of an entourage. Our GPS was kept busy – often racing from red carpet premieres to trendy Toronto hot-spots. And yes, we even found time for an exotic drink or two (non-alcoholic of course, we were driving after all.) And we’ll be back to do it all over again. Perhaps in a slightly different shape, size, or colour next year. See you on roads in 2010!

The Toronto Film Festival Galas at Roy Thomson Hall was a great place for TIFF celebrity sightings

Richard Budman — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 23:18:05 +0000

(festivalinsider.ca) If there was one change that proved popular this TIFF – it was the new red carpet set-up at Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall. In years previous, The red carpet was on one side of the tight Simcoe St. and fans were stuck waiting on the OTHER side of the street. For 2009, the red carpet Cadillac drop-off of TIFF guests was brought into a park on the east side of the theatre, allowing the fans wanting a glimpse of their favorite TIFF stars a much closer look, and an excellent chance for a photo or autograph.

WHIP IT stars MARCIA GAY HARDEN is one very proud mother to EULALA SCHEEL at Toronto Roller Derby exhibition and red carpet

Richard Budman — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 22:19:02 +0000

(festivalinsider.ca) There were some proud parents on display during TIFF ’09. Ivan and Jason Reitman were at the Toronto festival to support multiple movies. Michael Moore’s father was beaming on the Capitalism red carpet. And Oscar and Tony award winning actress Marcia Gay Harden and her daughter Eulala Scheel joined her WHIP IT cast at TIFF. Both have roles in the Drew Barrymore directed film.

Duchess of York SARAH FERGUSON spent 15 years producing The Young Victoria – Toronto Film Festival’s closing night Gala film

Richard Budman — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:31:54 +0000

The Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson spent a few days in Toronto during TIFF week on a couple of different missions. First, The Duchess and her two daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie of York spent an evening at Ultra on Queen St. to launch the Canadian arm of the Sarah Ferguson Charitable Foundation. The next evening, The Duchess would be walking the TIFF red carpet to support a film she produced, the closing night Gala THE YOUNG VICTORIA featuring Emily Blunt in the starring role. Producing the film has been a 15-year labor of love for Ms. Ferguson as she first became fascinated with Royal life and its unique history when she spent time in Buckingham Palace after marrying Prince Andrew in 1986. The Duchess said in repeated media interviews during her week in Toronto that she related to the story of at least one character in the film, not the Queen herself, but Albert, the beloved consort who was after Queen Victoria’s heart.

“But if you’re not born into royalty, you never really belong there.” – SARAH FERGUSON

Sean Byrne’s THE LOVED ONES wins 2009 Cadillac People’s Choice Award – Midnight Madness at Toronto International Film Festival

Richard Budman — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 06:56:50 +0000

TIFF midnight madness programmer Colin Geddes accepted the Cadillac People’s Choice Award from Frank Trivieri of GM Canada for best Midnight Madness feature on behalf of director Sean Byrne’s The Loved Ones at an awards reception hosted by Toronto’s Intercontinental Hotel.

“This is a candy-coloured popcorn film that invites the audience into a fun, pop-horror world that seems familiar. People will be in their seats, kind of comfortable, feeling like they’ve been here before and then we’ll sneak up and drop acid into their soda.” – SEAN BYRNE

It’s Leanne Pooley’s TOPP TWINS over Michael Moore’s CAPITALISM for Cadillac People’s Choice Documentary Award at 2009 TIFF

Richard Budman — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 02:25:01 +0000

In a little bit of an upset, director Leanne Pooley’s TOPP TWINS has won the Cadillac People’s Choice Award for documentary at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival. Michael Moore’s CAPITALISM was the runner-up.

“I have been making documentaries for twenty years, and usually they are dark. That is often the world a documentary filmmaker moves in, a dark world. This is a film about joy, and laughter, and love. And its just so special to be able to bring a film like that to audiences like yours. I have to thank the TOPP TWINS. who are a force of nature. Thank you so much.” – Leanne Pooley, director TOPP TWINS

Tom Ford’s A SINGLE MAN comes to TIFF on Colin Firth’s BEST ACTOR Venice honors – Weinstein Co. acquire distribution

Richard Budman — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 21:50:59 +0000

Actors Julianne Moore and Colin Firth joined TOM FORD at the very well-dressed and attended A Single Man after-party held at the Gardiner Museum. Fashion designer turned director-writer FORD proved during the 2009 Toronto Festival he will be a force in the film business. Riding an impressive wave of positive buzz from the Venice Film Festival where Colin Firth’s performance from Ford’s film won BEST ACTOR honors. A SINGLE MAN came out of the Toronto Festival with TIFF’s largest deal as the Weinstein Co. paid a few million dollars to secure U.S. distribution rights for Ford’s directorial debut.

Mini-Me VERNE TROYER at TIFF for Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus – says AUSTIN POWERS 4 could be a GO!

Richard Budman — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 15:26:18 +0000

VERNE TROYER attended the after-party for Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus held at the swanky Cheval Bar on Toronto’s King St. Director Terry Gilliam and most of the cast (sadly sans Depp) showed up to toast the Toronto premiere of the film. Troyer first came to public attention from his role as Mini-me in the Mike Myer’s string of Austin Powers films. At the party, the insider couldn’t resist asking Troyer if there is any plans for an Austin Powers 4? Not only did Troyer indicate the idea had been discussed, another sequel to the hit film could maybe shoot next year. And of course, Mini-me would be back at Dr. Evil’s side.