If you’d like to go to Cannes or the Oscars, but haven’t managed to get your name on the guest list, the Toronto International Film Festival is as close as you can get. It’s the first of the North American film festivals held in the lead up to the Oscars and the largest festival open to the general public.

As well as new and independent features, the Toronto International Film Festival features national retrospectives and showcases Canadian films to an international audience. The festival is also known for featuring important Asian, African and South American films.

Though still true to its independent and international film roots, in recent years the festival has had a more Hollywood atmosphere with more celebrity interest. Begun over 30 years ago as a showing of the best films from other international festivals and held in a local hotel, recent festivals have shown films in more than 20 city centre cinemas.

Famous films which have premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival include ‘Chariots of Fire’, ‘The Big Chill’, ‘American Beauty’ and ‘Crash’, so visitors have a good chance of seeming the premiere of a future award winner. The annual ten day festival begins on the first Thursday in September - red carpet attire optional.

Official Website of the Toronto International Film Festival.

Written by  World Reviewer Staff.

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