The Best of the Toronto International Film Festival 2017

With 339 films shown in just 11 days, the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival has officially come to an end. The parties, premieres, live music and industry workshops are over and we are left with the winners! Films such as I, Tonya and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri walked away with awards such as The Grolsch People’s Choice Award. Others won international awards such as Sweet Country‘s Toronto Platform Prize. Celebrities such as George Clooney and Angelina Jolie also made appearances at the various parties throughout the week. These are just some of our favorite moments from this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.

Films

As it’s name suggests, the Toronto International Film Festival was full of world premieres and new talent. One of the most talked about premieres was The Disaster Artist. Directed by James Franco, it pays tribute to cult classic The Room while recounting how the original movie was made. Full of surprise cameos and a brilliant script, The Disaster Artist is a must-see for any film lover.

Starring actors Ethan Hawke and Amanda Seyfried, First Reformed is a drama that tells the story of a priest dealing with the loss of his son while in the armed forces. With a homage to Robert Bresson’s Diary of a Country Priest, this film takes the viewer on an emotional journey you won’t soon forget.

Director Armando Iannucci transports us back to 20th-century Russia in The Death of Stalin as a political satire focusing on Josef Stalin himself. The film shows the events that are set into motion after his death – with a slight nod to current world affairs.

Parties

There was no shortage of celebrities at this year’s many parties that took place during the Toronto International Film Festival. Some of those stars included Jake Gyllenhaal, Bryan Cranston, Helen Mirren and Nicole Kidman. Many entertainment outlets hosted parties of their own such as Entertainment Weekly‘s Must List party, InStyle + HFPA’s annual bash and the official TIFF soiree. There were also premiere parties for the various films being shown during the festival and these were hosted by restaurants, bars and hotels throughout the city. While many of these events were impossible to attend without a ticket, there are some that were open to the public such as TIFF Ovation.  This is a networking event for young professionals in Toronto held on the rooftop of the TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Events

With multiple events scheduled for each day of the festival, guests had a variety of options to choose from. From live music to master classes and discussion panels, industry professionals joined in on the fun to help bring these events to life. Some of the most popular of these was the “In Conversation With…” series with the actors and directors of the featured films. Javier Bardem took the stage to discuss his diverse rolls in both English and Spanish-language cinema as well as his charity work and upcoming films for the year. Helen Mirren also participated – focusing on her body of work in film and theatre along with her long-running career as an actress. Other popular events included live performances from Kayla Diamond and workshops for breaking into the industry.

With another Toronto International Film Festival in the books, this year’s event did not disappoint. With world-famous actors and award-winning directors, there was no shortage of epic new films. From industry parties and workshops to discussion panels and live music, the festival delivered some amazing screenings and new up-and-coming talent. Wondering how those celebrities looked so flawless? Check out our behind-the-scenes look into how celebs achieve fashion perfection on the red carpet.