Lights! Cameras! Action! Right In The Heart Of The City

Movie buffs on a budget don't have to reach for their wallets or resign themselves to wandering around Yorkville in hopes of a celebrity sighting to enjoy the festivities at this year's Toronto International Film Festival.

Organizers have put the focus of the event back on the jeans and tees crowd instead of the limos and tuxedo ellite with free programming at Yonge-Dundas Square where regular folk can catch free screenings, kids activities and special appearances.

On Sunday, Sept. 13, the cast of Drew Barrymore's directorial debut Whip It!, including Ellen Page, will show up for a roller derby bout before the red carpet screening of the film.

Sunday, Sept. 13
* 12:00PM - TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: Woodstock
-- Preceded by shorts: Street Musique, Geddy Lee at Massey Hall and Washing Machine, Sewing Machine
* 5:30PM - Whip It Spotlight roller-derby exhibition featuring stars from the film and the Toronto Roller Derby League
* 9:00PM - The Topp Twins Spotlight with hosted by comedian Elvira Kurt

Monday, Sept. 14
* 12:00PM - TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: Stop Making Sense
-- Preceded by shorts: Lonely Boy, Woodhands at The Brick Works and From The City To The Forest
* 3:00PM - TIFF Shhh! Silent Film Series: The Busher
* 9:00PM - TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: North American Premiere - The Neil Young Trunk Show hosted by director Jonathan Demme

Tuesday, Sept. 15
* 12:00PM - TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: Monterey Pop
-- Preceded by shorts: Toronto Jazz, Sarah Slean at The Rivoli and Questions Of A Dead Worker
* 3:00PM - TIFF Shhh! Silent Film Series: Robin Hood
* 7:00PM - Hipsters Spotlight: swing-dance lessons followed by a concert at 9 p.m. featuring Aelita with the Galaxy All-Star Orchestra in honour of the Russian musical screening as part of the Festival's Vanguard programme
* 9:00PM - Hipsters Showcase: Concert: Aelita with the Galaxy All-Star Orchestra

Wednesday, Sept. 16
* 12:00PM - TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: The Last Waltz
-- Preceded by shorts:Ready When You Are, Laura Barrett with Martin Tielli at the AGO and Bloomfield or a Memory Bank
* 3:00PM - TIFF Shhh! Silent Film Series: Tillie's Punctured Romance
* 9:00PM - The National Ballet of Canada's preview presentation of the latest production from Aszure Barton in celebration of the Festival's screening of Mao's Last Dancer

Thursday, Sept. 17
* 12:00PM - TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: U2: Rattle & Hum
-- Preceded by shorts: cNote, Lioness at the Masonic Temple and Gershon
* 3:00PM - TIFF Shhh! Silent Film Series: It
* 9:00PM - Performance, rock show, installation and film screening: BAND, by cutting-edge New York artist Adam Pendleton, refashions Sympathy for the Devil, Jean-Luc Godard's 1968 cinematic paean to the Rolling Stones and the Black Panthers, into a contemporary art happening that places the celebrated indie art-rock/post-punk band Deerhoof at the centre of the action. This event is presented as part of Future Projections.

Friday, Sept. 18
* 12:00PM - TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: Don't Look Back
--Preceded by shorts: Glenn Gould On The Record, Jason Collett at Kensington Market and Weitzman #10
* 3:00PM - TIFF Shhh! Silent Film Series: Grandma's Boy
* 6:00PM - TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: world premiere of American Masters featuring Joan Baez: How Sweet the Sound, followed by an appearance and short concert by Joan Baez herself

Closing Night: Saturday, Sept. 19
* 12:00PM - TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: Truth Or Dare
-- Preceded by shorts: Meet Gisele, Care Failure at 102.1 The Edge and Killer Babe
* 7:00PM - TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: World Premiere of Copyright Criminals
* 9:00PM - Festival Wrap Party presented in Association with Future Projections and hosted by Chuck D, featuring the infectious improvised audiovisual mashups of Eclectic Method. The renowned trio will thrill film and music lovers with a video remix set incorporating clips from the films included in Essential 100, the opening show of TIFF Bell Lightbox. With special guest Clyde Stubblefield.

*Schedule subject to change

The Toronto International Film Festival runs through Sept. 19. More information and tickets can be had at tiff.net/thefestival or 416-968-3456.

By Paige Muller

Paige Muller, Gossip & Hollywood Hijinx
		About the author:
		Paige Muller is a gossip gal with an appreciation – some would say obsession – for Hollywood hijinx, celebrity style and the latest fashion trends.  From who hooked up, who's knocked up and "WTF are they wearing?", Paige offers all the dish, with a side of snark. When not pondering Jennifer Aniston's perplexing post-breakup PR strategy, Paige is a published writer and communications professional who has worked with brands like Dove, L'Oreal, More magazine, Gap and WE: Woman's Entertainment.
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