5 GREAT things to do around the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival – FOR FREE!

You don’t need the hottest party invite or Gala screening ticket to enjoy the buzz of the Toronto Film Festival. There are still plenty of downtown sites to take in the magic of TIFF and it doesn’t even have to cost you a dime. We can suggest these 5 great things to do around TIFF for FREE;

1. THE TIFF RED CARPET PREMIERES – The TIFF red carpet screenings still offer the best bang for your buck for getting up close and personal with a movie star. It’s rare a celebrity doesn’t interact with the crowd at their premiere. We’ve seen before some stars spend more time with the fans, then the media. Roy Thomson Hall Gala premieres have a large area where crowds gather. But warning – if you want a good spot on the fence, get their early. The Elgin Winter Theatre and Ryerson are also very fan friendly and good spots for seeing your favorite actors up close. Tip: The stars exiting the Elgin theatre out the back door can be an intimate vantage point.

2. YORKVILLE AVE. – Yes, some festival buzz is moving south to King st., but Yorkville avenue is still home to two of Toronto’s most swanky TIFF hotels – The Four Seasons and The Hazelton. So Yorkville is always a bees hive of activity come TIFF time – especially opening weekend. Grab a coffee and take a seat outside on the Starbucks patio for some fun people watching.

3. THE PARTIES – The Hello Canada magazine party, Vanity Fair studios at Holt Renfrew, In Style Party. You may not get into these events – but many have red carpets outside and sometimes hundreds of fans will gather in the streets.

4. ESSENTIAL CINEMA MUSEUM and FILM SCREENINGS – at the TIFF Bell Lightbox opening daily September 12th the exhibit will feature movie props, costumes, and posters from some of most popular movies ever. TIP: They’ll also be free screenings of past great TIFF films.

5. TIFF BLOCK PARTY – on Sunday, September 12th. Everybody is invited to one of TIFF’s coolest parties this year. The opening of the BELL Lightbox on Sunday afternoon. Free food and entertaiment including the headlining of a major Canadian act that TIFF is keeping secret for now (but we think is Nelly Furtado.)

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Artists for Peace and Justice fundraising event during TIFF will raise badly needed money for Haitian relief – follow @natashankpr on Twitter to help donate

photo: Olivia Wilde, Natasha Koifman, and writer / director Paul Haggis at the APJ fundrasier at the Windsor Arms hotel during TIFF’09

There is no question that it’s often a time of celebration at many events during the Toronto International Film Festival. But it’s also become a time for giving back and many events occurring during TIFF have a charitable aspect to them.

One of the most successful fundraising events held annually in Toronto around film fest time is The Artists for Peace and Justice fundraiser with Paul Haggis and this year, James Franco co-hosting. The APJ has been tirelessly working for Haitian relief this year.

Still months after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, the country struggles to get everyday supplies. Food, water, and medical care are in short supply and without raising more money international relief efforts will continue to slow down.

One organizer of the Artists for Peace and Justice fundraiser, Natasha Koifman is donating $5 for every new follower on twitter she gains till September 15th.

Follow @natashankpr on Twitter to help donate

Follow @Festivalinsider on Twitter for the latest news and celebrity sightings during TIFF

IVAN and JASON REITMAN had a very busy TIFF 2009 with Up In The Air, Jennifer’s Body, and Chloe all having Toronto premieres

(festivalinsider.ca) There could not have been a more active father-son duo in the filmmaking business then what Ivan and Jason Reitman put on display during the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival. Put simply, the Reitmans owned TIFF’09. Jason Reitman was in Toronto as producer on Jennifer’s Body and director on the already highly acclaimed UP IN THE AIR. After the recent film festival reviews for Up In The Air, many think the George Clooney starring vehicle will be well represented come awards time. During the press conference, Jason was sure to point out a key producer on the film, his father, Ivan Reitman proudly sitting in the first row with the assembled media. It wasn’t the only business at TIFF for Ivan – he was also there to support another Gala premiering film he produced – the Atom Egoyan directed CHLOE. From press, to red carpet premieres and receptions, there was no shortage of Reitman sightings during the 2009 TIFF week.

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

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

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

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.

rising star Amber HEARD at TIFF’09 with THE JONESES – Next up is THE RUM DIARY with Johnny Depp

Rising star AMBER HEARD was in Toronto for the world premiere of The Joneses. The film also stars Demi Moore and David Duchovny. Heard was channeling old-school Hollywood glamour during her stop at the after-party at AME on Mercer St. for the TIFF premiering film which has been earning strong reviews. Next up for Amber is a movie based on Hunter S. Thompson’s The Rum Diary, opposite Johnny Depp.

Kerry Washington and Naomi Watts celebrate Mother and Child with a few TIFF party stops

(festivalinsider.ca) KERRY WASHINGTON and NAOMI WATTS attended the party for Mother And Child at Swarovski crystal store on Bloor Street prior to their Gala TIFF screening. Watts and Washington continued the celebrating after their premiere stopping by a party at The Gardiner Museum for designer turned director Tom Ford’s A Single Man

MATT DAMON parties during TIFF week with BILL CLINTON and MARY J all in support of ONE X ONE kids foundation

(festivalinsider.ca) Matt Damon was in Toronto this week for the premiere of THE INFORMANT. It wasn’t Damon’s only duties as he has been coming to Toronto the last few years for his One X One charitable foundation. “Who isn’t interested in trying to improve the lives of children around the world?” mused Damon to the Toronto Star when discussing the important work the OneXOne foundation does. For 2009, Damon’s fundraising events were spread across an entire weekend. Saturday night saw a gala concert at Kool Haus, featuring Mary J. Blige. The next evening was a more intimate fundraising reception at the home of Edward Rogers, Rogers Communications CEO, with former U.S. president Bill Clinton in attendance.

Power Publicist Natasha Koifman works with Paul Haggis and Olivia Wilde on TIFF Friday night Artists for Peace and Justice fundraiser

One of the most talked about parts of the Toronto International Film Festival is THE PARTIES. TIFF is famous for its parties. There are just a select few power publicists in Toronto that make many of the festival celebrations and fundraisers happen. Natasha Koifman is one of those publicists.

A hot party ticket at TIFF this year was the first Friday’s Artists for Peace and Justice fundraiser at the Windsor Arms Hotel. Friday nights event brought out a who’s who of TIFF elite including director Jason Reitman, Elisha Cuthbert, Kim Cattrall, Amanda Seyfried, Jason Bateman and Vivica A. Fox.

Find out what it takes to put together a celebrity-laden shindig and what the TIFF power publicists go through in this NOW Magazine profile of Natasha Koifman.

Canadian Film Centre annual BBQ hosted by Norman Jewison in celebration of the independent creative spirit always a highlight during TIFF

photo: director / writer Sook-Yin Lee and her “Year of the Carnivore” cast actors Mark Rendall and Ali Liebert at the CFC annual BBQ.

One of the more anticipated parties during the Toronto Film Festival each year is the annual Canadian Film Centre BBQ that happens on the first Sunday afternoon during TIFF week. While the big Hollywood produced movies can sometimes dominate the press headlines at TIFF, the CFC event likes to, as the invitation says, “celebrate the Canadian independent creative spirit.”

And it does that well.

A Canadian Film Centre produced short, “Shortman v. minivan” is making a Toronto Film Festival premiere this week
photos: Keifer Sutherland of 24 fame made an appearance in support of the CFC event and The Arkells performed.

A very dapper BEN BARNES at the ROOTS party for the film PASSION PLAY

(festivalinsider.ca) A very dapper looking BEN BARNES attends a pre-screening party at the ROOTS store on Bloor St. The very hot Barnes (fresh off the success of leading The Chronicles of Narnia) is visiting TIFF in support of DORIAN GRAY. Also showing up at the Roots event was Megan FOX and Michael CAINE. The Roots event was actually for a film not playing TIFF, PASSION PLAY – a soon-to-be-released film starring Fox.

The only GOATS for GEORGE CLOONEY at Toronto Film Festival will be in the movie – Thank you very much.

The party to celebrate the Clooney starring THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS was held at a posh Bridle Path residence on Friday night. A pen full of real goats was assembled there to greet the guests outside. When it was suggested that Clooney and cast pose with the goats. George wanted none of that and sailed past the goats into the private party. We know Clooney is a great guy – But I guess even George knew that was one photo op to stay a mile away from.