The best parties that went down on the first weekend of TIFF
Find out where Elliot Page, Nelly Furtado, Director X, Shaquille O’Neal and more were hanging out after hours
Despite fears that this year’s TIFF would be lacking star power due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, the red carpets have been littered with big names, and a time-honoured Hollywood tradition has returned: the invite-only after-hours TIFF bash. Here, an inside look at the most star-studded galas, premieres and kick-offs that took place over the festival’s first weekend.
Artists for Peace and Justice Gala
Nelly Furtado was spotted at the Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ) gala, a fundraiser that supports youth in Haiti. Here, she raises the roof before being honoured with the Artists for Justice and Peace Award.
Related: Everything inside this year’s ultra-luxe TIFF swag bag
Furtado’s award was presented by 2017 Polaris Prize winner Lido Pimienta.
APJ co-chair Suzanne Boyd and tech CEO Dax Dasilva flank filmmaker Director X, who received the Canadian Changemaker Award.
Handmaid’s Tale actor Amanda Brugel with Furtado.
Prolific Toronto restaurateur Charles Khabouth.
Long-time APJ supporter George Stroumboulopoulos emceed the event.
Related: Thirteen must-see movies at TIFF this year
Writer-photographer Eric Hendrikx and APJ co-chair Natasha Koifman hosted the event in their backyard.
Backspot premiere party
After the world premiere of Backspot, the team behind the new cheerleading flick attended an after-party at Marbl. Elliot Page executive-produced the film, D. W. Waterson directed and Devery Jacobs, of Reservation Dogs, starred.
Related: Devery Jacobs and D.W. Waterson on Backspot, their new cheerleading film
Waterson also deejayed.
RBC House Opening
The RBC house at Petros82 hosted a music-themed party, which was deejayed by former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal, a.k.a. DJ Diesel.
O’Neal also met Priyanka, the winner of Canada’s Drag Race season one.
Black Academy Legacy Awards Kick-Off Party
The RBC House and Petros82 hosted a celebration of Black Canadian talent. Here, Director X is seen hanging out with actor Stephan James, founder of the awards.
Zaib Shaikh, consul general of Canada in Los Angeles, with Kirstine Stewart, head of Shaping the Future of Media at the World Economic Forum.
Siphesihle November, a principal dancer at the National Ballet of Canada and the subject of the documentary Beyond Moving, made an appearance.
Women in Film Luncheon
The Kit and the Four Seasons Hotel co-hosted a celebration of women in film. The Kit‘s co-editor Laura deCarufel (far left) is pictured here with panellists (from left) Anubha Momin, Meredith Hama-Brown, Noura Kevorkian, Zoe Hopkins and Vanessa Magic.
DeCarufel with Halla Rafati, the founder and CEO of Halo and Co. Public Relations.
Broadcasting icon Lisa LaFlamme was among the attendees.
Writer Kathleen Newman-Bremang, TSN anchor Kayla Grey and Etalk correspondent Lainey Lui attended.
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