Get cameras ready for TIFF because star-wise, it’s ‘a return to form’

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TIFF is back, baby, but will it be better than ever?

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We shall see when the 49th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival launches on Thursday and unspools 278 films over 11 days.

While the pandemic and last year’s writer’s strike put a damper on celebrity sightings, TIFF enthusiasts are looking for the return of  A-listers.

Among this year’s gala and special presentations are films starring the likes of Amy Adams, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Lopez, Florence Pugh, Will Ferrell, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, and Alicia Vikander.

Angelina Jolie, Adams, Blanchett, and Toronto film-maker David Cronenberg are among those being honoured at the TIFF Tribute Awards on Sept. 8 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel.

“This one is going to be a return to form,” said veteran celebrity blogger Will Wong, of mrwillwong.com, who’s been covering TIFF for 15 years and getting selfies with the stars.

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“I think maybe star power is bigger this year. You’re getting the cream of the crop. The top A-list names are all going to be here.”

Wong is particularly looking forward to seeing this year’s slate of female stars.

“Angelina, that’s a huge deal,” said Wong. “Those TIFF Tribute Awards, this is the biggest one they’ve had ever. Cate Blanchett, this is her first actual TIFF film in quite some time with Guy Maddin’s Rumours. A lot of eyes on Amy Adams. Is she going to get her Oscar ever? So I think there’s a lot of buzz around this movie called Night Bitch. She’s a stay-at-home mom, and she starts believing that she’s turning into a dog.”

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As for the male stars, he’s expecting to see Adam Driver for Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis, Daniel Craig for Luca Guadagnino’s Queer, Andrew Garfield for We Live In Time, and Gabrielle Labelle as Lorne Michaels in Saturday Night (about Saturday Night Live’s origins).

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Wong is also a big supporter of rising stars like Mikey Madison (Pamela Adlon’s oldest daughter in the TV show Better Things) who plays an exotic dancer in Anora, and Jharrel Jerome (Moonlighting) as real-life one-legged wrestler Anthony Robles in Unstoppable.

For those wondering where to find the celebs, Wong recommends heading to fan zones outside theatres hosting red-carpet events like Roy Thomson Hall, The Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales and The Royal Alex, which requires wristbands for a place inside with areas opening two hours before each film.

There’s also a rush lineup.

“TIFF has done a really great job with fan zones at the movie theatres,” said Wong. “You will be guaranteed a spot with a wristband.”

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Wong’s selfie target this year is Blanchett.

“I’ve loved her for so many years,” he said. “I would love the chance to get a snap. Like she’s probably one of my favourite actresses.”

And during the first weekend, King St. — from University Ave. to Peter St. — will be transformed into a pedestrian-only area where you may just find yourself hobnobbing with a star racing into or out of a screening or to waiting car.

Same goes for Widmer St., behind TIFF Lightbox theatre, where stars do photo shoots or at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel where they can sometimes be seen entering massive black Escalades on their way to red carpets.

Popular hotels for stargazing are the Shangri-La, the One Hotel, the uptown Four Seasons, the private members club, Soho House Toronto, and the pop-up space, 100 Days.

Wong said when it comes to restaurants, the newly opened Nobu should draw A-listers this year along with nightclub/restaurant kingpin Charles Kabouth’s restaurants like Byblos, Bisha Hotel, Margo, Cleo, Patria, and Daphne.

“Nobu’s the big buzzy one,” said Wong. “Some of the studios have done big buyouts, so there will be big parties there.”

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