The 10-day Toronto International Film Festival ended Sunday, screening a total of 339 films. During the festival, the city swarmed with celebrities, media, and red carpet galas, parties, and gifting suites. This year's iteration saw most of the satellite events take over the downtown core, following the festival’s move to the TIFF Bell Lightbox last year.
Brands both new and old to the festival sought to gain guests' attention with everything from branded, eco-friendly vehicles (Timberland) to public makeup stations (L'Oréal), with many, many concerts in between (Canadian Film Center, Festival Music House, and Alliance Films, among others). Here's a look at how these and other companies captured the interest of the TIFF audience this year.
Photo: Courtesy of JJ Thompson
Toronto International Film Festival Opening Night Party
For the opening night party, producer Barbara Hershenhorn of Party Barbara Co. based the theme on the festival's opening film, the U2 documentary From the Sky Down. A futuristic video looped on 18 TV screens.
Photo: Emma McIntyre for BizBash
Red Carpet at the Toronto International Film Festival
Giant spray cans from artist Mr. Brainwash lined the red carpet outside Roy Thomson Hall.
Photo: BizBash
Perrier-Jouët's Beautiful Moments Lounge at the Toronto International Film Festival
Perrier-Jouët toasted its 200th anniversary and the best moments in TIFF history during a prefestival champagne reception.
Photo: Sonia Recchia/ Pimentel Studio
Canadian Film Centre Barbecue at the Toronto International Film Festival
The Canadian Film Centre hosted its annual barbecue on a sunny afternoon. Sixteen food and beverage sponsors served guests from individual stations. The barbecue raised $200,000 for programming in film, television, and new media.
Photo: BizBash
Canadian Film Centre Barbecue at the Toronto International Film Festival
The band the Midway State performed at the CFC Barbecue.
Photo: BizBash
OneXOne Gala at the Toronto International Film Festival
Mirrored bars filled the Four Seasons Hotel for the OneXOne gala. Harry Connick Jr. later performed for the 300 guests.
Photo: Sonia Recchia / Pimentel Studio
<span style="font-style: italic;">In Style</span> and Hollywood Foreign Press Party at the Toronto International Film Festival
The Windsor Arms was decorated with large, handmade flowers for the In Style and Hollywood Foreign Press Party.
Photo: Eric Charbonneau/Le Studio
<span style="font-style: italic;">Hello! Canada</span> Gala at the Toronto International Film Festival
Artist Beckie Di Leo painted guest portraits at the Hello! Canada fifth anniversary gala.
Photo: Brian Summers / Summers.ca
Festival Music House at the Toronto International Film Festival
Chandeliers and candelabra lit the Mod Club for the Festival Music House, where TIFF talent saw Canadian bands like Hey Rosetta! and the Sheepdogs perform.
Photo: Courtesy of JJ Thompson
Festival Music House at the Toronto International Film Festival
The Sam Roberts Band performed at the Festival Music House.
Photo: Courtesy of JJ Thompson
Amfar Cinema Against AIDS at the Toronto International Film Festival
Amfar's Cinema Against AIDS gala was a tribute to Elizabeth Taylor. Jeffry Roick decked the Carlu in purple, in honour of Taylor's famous violet eyes.
Photo: BizBash
Goodnight Gansevoort at the Toronto International Film Festival
Branded BMWs chauffeured guests to and from the Goodnight Gansevoort after-hours lounge.
Photo: David Lee/Getty Images
Diet Coke Gala at the Toronto International Film Festival
Diet Coke branding was projected onto the outside of the Hoxton for the brand's party.
Photo: Zach Slootsky
Diet Coke Gala at the Toronto International Film Festival<br />
Hostesses and bartenders wore uniforms that matched the vintage Hollywood theme.
Photo: Zach Slootsky
<span style="font-style: italic;">The Goons</span> After-Party at the Toronto International Film Festival<br />
The Goon after-party at Andrew Richard Designs incorporated hockey into the decor, in honour of the festival film. Servers and bartenders wore jerseys, guests could play table hockey, and a Zamboni was parked outside on the red carpet.
Photo: BizBash
Alliance Films Party at the Toronto International Film Festival<br />
At the Alliance Films party, Jeffry Roick of McNabb Roick Events took advantage of the outdoor space at South of Temperance.
Photo: Vito Amati
Alliance Films Party at the Toronto International Film Festival
Cee Lo Green gave a surprise performance for the 1,000 guests at the Alliance Films party.
Photo: Vito Amati
BlackBerry Lounge at the Toronto International Film Festival
A blue carpet marked the entrance of the Blackberry Lounge at Brassaii. The lounge hosted parties for four festival films, including Salmon Fishing in the Yemen.
Photo: BizBash
Grey Goose Soho House at the Toronto International Film Festival
The Grey Goose Soho House pop-up lounge furnished a warehouse in the entertainment district with comfortable seating. It was a celebrity hotspot, and guests included George Clooney, Olivia Wilde, and Ryan Gosling.
Photo: Alexandra Wyman/Getty Images for Grey Goose Vodka
Toro After Dark at the Toronto International Film Festival
Toro magazine covers decorated Ame for its late-night lounge, which drew about 300 guests each of the two nights it was open.
Photo: BizBash
AMC and Nikki Beach's La Terrasse Lounge at the Toronto International Film Festival
The rooftop of the TIFF Bell Lightbox was draped in white for La Terrasse, a late-night lounge hosted by AMC and Nikki Beach. The lounge was strictly invite-only for Nikki Beach regulars and members of the film industry, and the media.
Photo: BizBash
Essentials Lounge at the Toronto International Film Festival
Winks Eyelash Boutique treated members of the media to eyelash extensions at Esther Garnick PR's Essentials Lounge.
Photo: Arthur Mola
Tastemakers Gifting Suite at the Toronto International Film Festival
At the Tastemakers gifting suite, one guest made a bike into a piece of artwork using Sharpies.
Photo: BizBash
NKPR's IT Lounge at the Toronto International Film Festival
A giant Kobo e-reader adorned NKPR's IT Lounge.
Photo: BizBash
Timberland Vehicles at the Toronto International Film Festival
Timberland, a TIFF sponsor, invited moviegoers to "arrive in 'eco' style" with free rides in pedal-powered vehicles. The vehicles were parked outside TIFF venues.
Photo: BizBash
L'Oréal Station at the Toronto International Film Festival
L'Oréal treated passersby to makeup touch-ups across the street from the TIFF Bell Lightbox.
Photo: BizBash
