After 31 years, Canadian filmgoers are known as cineastes, film afficiandos and film lovers willing to line up at screening venues to see some premieres. They are savvy about “How to Festival” and even at early morning screenings (9:30 a.m. screening of DIXIE CHICKS SHUT UP AND SING) the line circled the block around Ryerson University. As one woman put it while waiting for her friend, “I’m retired and decided to take in this festival as much as possible. I get to see films before anyone else does and love to see films that I may never have a chance to see anywhere else.”
And that’s why the filmmakers premiere at Toronto International Film Festival. It has a reputation for being well organized and very audience friendly as can be attested by the packed theaters thus providing input longed for in marketing focus groups. Celebrities come here giving stargazers an opportunity to join the paparazzi in clicking away basking in full adulation. They (the celebrities) just don’t to leave this city. Passing by the Intercontinental Hotel I see clusters of people hanging around. I ask whom are they waiting to see? “Don’t know” Who are they expecting to see? “Don’t know” Have they seen anyone? “Not yet” OK, lots of patience going on here for a sighting and an autograph.
And while the industry writers may comment that too much emphasis is placed on world premieres, 
Festival director, Noah Cowan stated his intention to place a continuing emphasis on world premieres. Buyers are here, shopping and because the festival is touted as a very informal place to do business it wasn’t uncommon for me to hear purchases and distribution deals discussed at receptions, hotel lobbies, eating establishments and after panel discussions.
My arrival was a bit bumpy with last minute accommodations taking precedence, so I wasn’t into the mindset quite just yet, while everyone who arrived for the Opening Night were into it full swing. That’s what can be a little tough getting started, it’s like a car warming up, idling along and then once you get in gear, you’re screaming down the highway.
CHAPTER: Women in Film and Television (WiFT-T) The stargazers were blocking the way (I think Brad Pitt was there?) but I was able to find my way to the reception. There I met president Wendy, who commented on the high energy between women filmmakers and there were several who I connected with and spoke to. Sue, former sound person was amazed at my compact recording studio that she remarked was in a pencil case. Pam, film director and promoting the First Nations Film Festival in San FranciscoLeesa, disability advocate and actor with a passion for promoting actors with disabilities to work in films, connected with a prominent producer who wants to use actual amputees for his large-scale film about the Vikings.
I mentioned the film BLINDSIGHT about the blind climber Erik W. and Sobriye co founder of Braille Without Borders, a school for blind children in Tibet, who take six students to climb the mountain peak next to Mt Everest. I planned to see the film on Wed.
Next day, I camped out at the Press Office. The staff, especially David the press office coordinator, was extremely helpful and I had an opportunity to follow up on some leads.
CHAPTER: Discovery Films
After watching a German film KHADAK I headed over to the Discovery Films reception hoping to run into some AFI or Discovery people I knew. Here I met Andrea M executive producer for A KILLER WITHIN and the director, Macky O. There, I found that a press/industry screening was scheduled for 10:30 p.m. and while I figured out where I was going to stay the rest of the week, I headed back downtown to see this documentary by Discovery Films.
Hence, for the remainder of the week I dub this truly a Discovery Week for me and rename these film screenings as films that are not what they seem to be. Interestingly, I had preconceived notions about every one of the films I saw and have to say that I came out of the screening thinking to myself that’s not what I expected at all. This is good because sometimes I get bummed that nothing surprises me anymore and I then tend to enjoy the filmed scenery over the story.
Another person I met while at the Discovery reception was Denise promoting the Monaco Music and Film Festival and invited me to a reception at the Four Seasons Hotel the next evening. Great, another little party, very nice meeting and talking to people. On my way, back to my hotel, I noticed the BLINDSIGHT poster indicating an event reception going on. I introduce myself to the cinematographer and director and schedule an interview tomorrow morning at their hotel. They have a photo shoot scheduled as well and several people from this documentary will be there also.
TUESDAY CHAPTER: Conversation with BLINDSIGHT director Lucy Walker and cinematographer Petr Cirkhart. The Monaco Film Festival promotion reception was very nice and included a couple of surprise guests who stopped by to wish them well, Toronto Film Festival founders, Dusty and George. Now here are real celebrities. She and co founder Annette talked with me about their plans for an intimate festival coinciding with Cannes.
WEDNESDAY CHAPTER: Early morning screening for the DIXIE CHICKS. Screening right after 
BLINDSIGHT Both Griffin and Cikhart leave to get back to work. Important that they were there for people to see who does this incredible work shown on the big-screen. Wednesday night met a friend for dinner and toured Toronto at night. Early night.
THURSDAY CHAPTER: All day film watching: OUT OF THE BLUE. BREAKING AND ENTERING at the historic Elgin Theater. After French FILM it was back to Hemingway’s. Meeting hometown people truly behind the 
scenes of this beautiful city. Lots stick around and experience the film festival atmosphere despite the crowds of out- of-towners. Some suburbanites consider it unthinkable to go downtown during the week, but this week it’s different and active despite the weather that turned drizzly to rainy in the evening. CHAPTER: Last night out at FLOW
FRIDAY CHAPTER: Early morning screening MANUFACTURED LANDSCAPES artful, political, environmental, cultural, material. Change way of thinking. Couldn’t get into AWAY FROM HER, but neither could anyone else without a ticket. It SOLD OUT every show. OK End of the line time to pack up and get to the airport.