TIFF 2012 – Galas & Gearing Up!

What is TIFF? It’s an internationally attended festival that brings together producers, directors, industry insiders, celebrities, media and of course, movie lovers. 

I think it could very well be it’s own season wedged in between Summer and Fall. It’s an insane few weeks of organized mayhem with industry and international press using the TIFF Bell Lightbox as home base. The films themselves will be showing there as well as at various theatres across the city including  BLOOR CINEMA that will feature documentaries and vanguard films. The soon to open Shangra-La Hotel will play host in TIFF’s Asian Summit – an industry only event that brings together the east and the west. I’m excited to hear that Jackie Chan has already confirmed attendance!

But what I love about TIFF is that it gives movie lovers access to some of the world’s best films before they are even released in the theatres. The films range from Hollywood anticipated blockbusters to foreign films that are by some of the most talented and established as well as emerging film directors. Yes, it’s true many celebrities attend the festival but what I love is opportunity to take the film to the next level. Many producers, directors and lead stars are on hand after a premiere showing to discuss their films and to answer audience questions. 

TIFF is very accessible to the public and it’s best if you go through the list NOW if you’re interested in the galas and book your tickets in advance before they sell out! There are great packages available too. Visit the official website for TIFF Festival Ticket Packages at www.tiff.net

TIFF 2012 runs from September 6 to September 16. The complete list of the Galas & Special Presentations that was just announced is available at this link TIFF Film Programming But again, more announcements will come so keep an eye on our site!

In a futuristic action thriller LOOPER, time travel will be invented – but it will be illegal and only available on the black market. When the mob wants to get rid of someone, they will send their target 30 years into the past, where a “looper” – hired gun like Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) – is waiting to mop up. Joe is getting rich and life is good..until the day the mob decides to “close the loop,” sending back Joe’s future self (Bruce Willis) for assassination. Also starring Emily Blunt, Paul Dano and Jeff Daniels. 

Based on the best-selling novel by Stephen Chbosky, this is a modern classic that captures the dizzying highs and crushing lows of growing up. The film is a moving tale of lvoe, loss fear, hope and the unfrogettable friends who help us through life. Starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watshon, Ezra Miller, Nina Dobrev, Melanie Lynskey, Paul Rudd and Dylan McDermott

An intense, loving, emotional and funny family story starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence who find themselves partners in a secret arrangement to rebuild their broken lives. Robert De Niro yearns to get closer to his son (Cooper), as he tries to keep the family afloat with his compulsive bookmaking. Jacki Weaver and Chris Tucker co-star.

A bold theatrical version of the epic love story, adapted from Leo Tolstoy’s timeless novel by Acadamy Award winner Tom Stoppard (Shakespeare in Love). The story powerfully explores the capacity for love that surges through the human hear. As Anna (Kiera Knightley) questions her happiness and marriage, change comes to surround her. Also starring Jude Law and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

From the Academy Award-nominated director Deepa Mehta, based on the Booker Prize-winning novel by Salman Rushdie. At the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, as India proclaims independence from great Britain, two newborn babies are switched by a nurse in a Bombay hospital. Saleem Sinai, the illegitimate son of a poor Hindu woman, and Shiva, the offspring of wealthy Muslims, are fated to live the destiny meant for each other. Their lives become mysteriously intertwined and are inextricably lined to India’s whirlwind journey of triumphs and disasters. Starring Satya Bhabha, Shahana Goswami, Rajat Kappor, Seema Biswas, Shriya Saran, Siddharth, Ronit Roy, Rahul Bose, Kulbushan Kardbanda, Soha Ali Khan, Anita Majumdar, Zaib Shailkh and Darsheel Safary. 

When militants storm the U.S. embassy in 1979 Tehran, six Americans manage to slip away. Knowing it’s only a matter of time before they are found, a CIA “exfiltration” specialist comes up with a plan to get them out of the country; a plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies. 

Of course TIFF is also famous for all the parties. But we’ll save that for another write up shall we? 

This year, there are two of us covering TIFF for you here at UrbanMoms.ca. so, while you’re checking here you’ll also want to check in with Katya at The Celebrity Dish . Together, we are aiming to bring you some interesting coverage from the festival!

If you’re on Twitter follow us 

@urbanmomsca

@gossipdish

@theculturepearl

(hint…our coverage starts even BEFORE the official TIFF dates)

There is so much to cover! Who knows what we’ll see, do and experience this TIFF Season!