TIFF Opening Night began at the Bloor St Holt Renfrew, where a block party was taking place. Bloor street was packed with people enjoying the loud music, hot pink atmosphere and of course, the Diet Coke refreshments. Ashley, my guest for the evening, and I strolled around while wearing our party hats and enjoying the vibe of the crowd. Of course I couldn’t pass up sipping on the limited edition Holt Renfrew x Diet Coke bottles!

I quickly had to rush to the Opening Night of TIFF for the movie, Looper. I had watched the trailer to the movie as well and did some research on the synopsis of the movie, so I was interested before officially getting my ticket to the TIFF film. After hopping in cab from Holt Renfrew, I got to Roy Thomoson Hall in the nick of time to sit down and get comfortable.

After Piers Handling (TIFF CEO) and Cameron Bailey (TIFF Co-Director) welcomed us to the opening night of TIFF, the introduction to the opening film was underway. We hear of celebrities coming to TOronto to join the festivities but I could hardly contain my 13 year old self when Rian Johnson, the director of the movie introduced and brought out the cast of Looper. Joseph Gordon Levitt included. Before I could scream out something inappropriate, the movie was about to start so I bit my tongue, sat back and enjoyed popcorn while watching the amazing opening night movie at Roy Thompson Hall with Ashley.

I’m no movie critic, but Looper was great. Set in a futuristic time, the film was something to think about if life was not what we know now.

After the movie, I followed the crowd down the street to the Opening Night Gala at Maple Leaf Square.

Entering the Maple Leaf Square was a change of venue from last year’s Opening night location, Liberty Grand. When I originally heard it was held at MLS, I figured it would be large enough to house the amount of people, but boy was I wrong. Filled to the brim with TIFF loving folks, the place was bumping with an amazing DJ while guests got to indulge in wine, drinks and even a taco station.

Watching a selective group of people ride an elevator up to a higher level where we could image would be the exclusive “IT” people who get the chance to schmooze with the filmakers, actors and film industry individuals. I was not so lucky, nor cool enough, however the Gala was a great time to meet new people, dance away and ending the Opening Night with a bang.

What a great start to TIFF 2012. A big thanks to Diet Coke for the tickets!

Goodnight Toronto!

Photo credit: AMMA Photography

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