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Jeremy Piven, Loraine Colonello and Dr. Dennis Colonello

 

Toronto International Film Festival '08

As if the beautiful city of Toronto wasn’t already an ideal getaway, from September 4th through the 14th the city shows that even they can outdo themselves with the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

Film makers from all over the globe fight for the honor of having their film screened at this prestigious festival. This year 312 films were chosen out of a field of more than 4,000 submissions. Numbers don’t lie and the 340,000 admissions to this festival are a testament not only to the quality of the films, but also to the infinite appeal of Toronto.

Celebrities clamor into TIFF each year for more than just great films. Toronto has some of the best hotels, luxury spas, night life, fine dining and gifting suites on the planet. For a full list of films and events  to attend: www.tiff08.ca

Among the celebrities who attended the festival were:
Brad Pitt “Burn After Reading
Jeremy Piven “RocknRolla
Danny Glover “Blindness
LeBron James “More Than A Game”
Alicia Keys “The Secret Life of Bees
Michael Cera “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
Claire Danes “Me and Orson Welles”
Zac Efron “Me and Orson Welles”
Jack White (The White Stripes)
Lindsay Lohan
Matt Damon “The People Speak”
Spike Lee “The People Speak”

Power Magazine’s Editor in Chief Loraine Jarblum got the opportunity to sit down and talk with Shawn Williamson of Brightlight Pictures and the producer of “Fifty Dead Men Walking” starring Ben Kingsley and Jim Sturgess which screened this year in Toronto. When asked how he chose great scripts that could hold their own in a prestigious festival  he said: The old adage is true, “you know you have a good script when you don’t have to chase the talent. When the talent reads the script and wants to do it.” 

There’s more competition taking place than just the big screen. All of the hottest producers of today’s fashion, cosmetics, electronics and even automobiles fight for the opportunity to get their products into the hands of celebrities. If this were a race, this year’s suites would be too close to call.

The world-famous Intercontinental Hotels played host to two of this year’s hottest gift suites. The Intercontinental Yorkville was home to the “Tastemakers” lounge, participants this year included: AG Hair Cosmetics, Burts Bees, Cromwell & Cruthers, Eska Waters, HBC, Ike & Sam’s, Joe Fresh Style, J.R. Watkins Apothecary, JUZD, Kiss My Face, LypSyl, PUMA, Raincry, Ruby Gloom, Sabon, Salt Spring Coffee, Strellson, Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland, and Trollbeads.

The Intercontinental Toronto Centre Hotel hosted Nathalie Dubois-Sissoko’s famous DPA gift lounge featuring exclusive high end and newly launched products from companies around the globe offering such as couture gowns, handbags, sunglasses, African safaris vacations, jewelry and spa experiences. This gift suite was created specifically for the comfort and relaxation of the celebrities and their entourages.

The IT Lounge, presented by NKPR at the Windsor Arms Hotel, was another smash hit this year.  Their aim was to provide a thoughtful collection of “survival musts” for the ten day festival. Participants in their suite included: Olay, FILA, Cadillac, ACE Grooming products, Ripzone & Powder Room snowboarding clothing, Teva, Esprit, Maxwell House, and Universal Music

The only problem Toronto needs to solve with its festival is finding a way to add more hours to the day for us to enjoy it.

 
 
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