The Toronto Film Festival, beginning next week, is now in its 32nd year and has grown to be the premiere film festival in North America, second only to Cannes in the world. We attended TIFF in 2005 and had a great time. Toronto is an amazing city, there is always something happening! Here is our quick guide to Toronto and more information about the film festival.
The Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 6-15. There is a large variety of films being screened, from family films to shorts, there is something for everyone. Among the celebrities scheduled to be at the festival are George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Jodie Foster. But the festival is not only about celebrity stalking, it is a great way to see big budget films that have not been released yet as well as smaller films that you may never hear of again. Here is the How To Guide for TIFF. It a good start, since there are so many films and venues, be sure to do your research when picking films. Also, be sure to get tickets early especially if you are planning on seeing one of the more popular films and plan on getting to the film early to get a good seat inside. You will also want to be sure you know where the venue is for your film. Films are screened all over the city and sometimes parking is a problem so you may have to take a cab, a bus, or the subway. Here is a useful website featuring subway maps and pricing.
If you are going to the film festival but are also looking for other events happening in the area, you are in luck, The Virgin Festival featuring Bjork, The Killers, The Smashing Pumpkins and more is Sept 8-9 and the family friendly Junction Arts Festival is scheduled for 9/6-9/8.
Toronto is located on Lake Ontario and is less than a 2 hour drive from Buffalo, NY. The weather is still warm in the beginning of September making it an ideal time to visit. Here is a guide to other attractions in Toronto. No matter what your interests there is something in Toronto that will suit you. If you want to relax and unwind, the Toronto Islands are only a ten minute ferry ride away, offering views of the city and relaxing parks. If you interested in art galleries and museums, downtown is for you. Toronto is even home to Canada’s largest amusement park if you are looking for a thrill.
Here is the official tourism guide to Toronto with suggestions for getting there, where to stay, and where to eat. You can also try the Canandan Hotel Guide or expedia. If you are traveling from the U.S. you may want to keep in mind that you will need a passport or proof that you have applied for a passport. If you are traveling by land or sea, you will need a state issued photo id. Please review the guidelines on the Department of the State’s website. Also keep in mind, that you will need to exchange your U.S. currency for Canadian. Here is the current exchange rate.
It is not too late to plan a trip to TIFF and take in a world class film festival in one our favorite cities.
