The 40th Toronto International Film Festival began on Thursday evening. Over the 10 days of the festival, over 300 films, originating from more than 30 countries, will be screened here. Many are making their debut showing and the actors and directors are in the city to introduce them, walking the red carpets and watching the film along with the fortunate viewers who snagged tickets. The list of celebrities in Toronto is a long one and there are the many celebrations, parties and special dinners going on.
Ground zero for the whole thing is the TIFF Lightbox Theatre, (located on King Street West at John), and the area surrounding it. I popped over there a couple of hours before the first stars were to make an appearance on Thursday, to catch a glimpse of all the buzz involved in setting up for such a big and exciting thing.
I got to the intersection of King Street West and Spadina just as the barriers were being set up that would close the street to vehicles for the weekend. This is a busy street that usually has lots of traffic, so seeing it empty was a sight in itself. Nick had walked me to the corner and then was heading off to do something else, but before we parted ways we snapped this shot of the rare opportunity to step onto the street.
I continued eastward to where the action was.
The line-up to get tickets …
… went all the way around this building.
They were in the process of setting out these huge orange balloons in the street …
Picnic tables and a stage had been set up on John Street …
Here is the TIFF Lightbox Theatre and the condo tower above it …
It’s not every day you see a golf cart on King Street …
or something like this …
There were media people everywhere. This reporter was taking an epic selfie. He had set up that huge camera on a tripod and stepped back about 12 feet to film himself discussing the goings on. Then he folded up the gear, slung it all over his shoulder and walked away down the street.
This area was soon to be packed with people wanting to catch sight of the celebrities that would be walking the official red carpet …
People were beginning to line up …
L’Oreal were in the thick of things with this cool looking pop-up make-up studio, presumably there to provide touch-ups where required …
The Royal Alexandra Theatre is right in the middle of the action, where Cyndi Lauper’s Kinky Boots is playing, so while it isn’t directly related to TIFF I thought I’d include it …
Taking advantage of the rare opportunity to take photos from the middle of the street …
I didn’t wait for the arrival of any celebrities but my friend Donna Elizabeth got this excellent shot later in the evening …
Thanks very much for dropping over to take a look!
xo loulou
