tiff parties 2015

TIFF Party Guide 2015

TIFF parties go hand in hand with the annual festival. When the Toronto International Film Fest rolls into town for its 10-day stint, so do a bevy of star-studded festivities, some of which are open to the public. Of course, you won't catch A-listers at every event, but with a stroke of luck you'll find yourself mingling with Eddie Redmayne or Dame Helen Mirren.

To help with your social planning or star stalking, here's a round-up of some of the most notable parties scheduled to take place during TIFF 2015.

TOP PARTY VENUES

These venues are hosting multiple parties throughout the festival. Whether you can get in sometimes depends on who you know, how much you're willing to pay or if you mind waiting in line.

King Street West
TIFF is bringing the festival to the street by closing down King from Peter to University. They've pulled out all the stops for this 4-day event (September 10th-13th), bringing live music, food trucks and much more out onto the road. The best part? It's completely free.

The Gladstone Hotel
On September 14th and 15th The Gladstone will be bustling with up-and-coming Canadian musical talent for The Canadian Music Café, an invite only event. Over 2 days Attica Riots, Jeen, Scott Helman, and more will be performing for media, TV, and music professionals.

Adelaide Hall
The premiere music event of TIFF, Festival Music House, is back for its 6th year from September 13th and 14th for 2 days of music and mingling. Harrison, Barenaked Ladies, and Allie X are among the acts slated to perform. The event is invite only.

The Spoke Club
The Nikki Beach pop-up club returns for another year at TIFF, with the international chain of party venues bringing splashy white decor and a whole lot of palm fronds to the Spoke Club between September 10-13. To make reservations, check out their website (it's an eight-person and two-bottle minimum).

Soho House
Though they're being very hush-hush about who will be partying here and when, Soho House is always a safe bet for celebrity-spotting (from the outside, obviously; the guest list at this member's-only club is strictly enforced). A number of pre- and post-premiere parties, hosted by Grey Goose, are set to go down at the Adelaide St. club.

The Thompson Hotel
The rooftop of the Thompson is being transformed into Bungalow 8, a pop-up club, for 2 nights of VIP partying. Expect the space to be crawling with the who's who of TIFF-goers on September 12th and 13th. Security is tight, so don't expect to get in without an invite.

Hotel Le Germain
On September 11th, 13th and 15th the Mercer St. Hotel Le Germain will be hosting parties in the lounge in celebration of French films at TIFF. These soirées are guest list only - so you'll need an invite or connection to get in.

Campbell House
The Campbell house will be the hub of Mongrel House parties during the festival, hosting invite-only bashes from September 10th to 16th. If you manage to snag an invite, expect to find cast members from Mongrel films and live music performed by Universal artists.

SEPTEMBER 9

Annual TIFF Soirée
One day before the film fest gets underway, the TIFF Bell Lightbox will be filled to the brim with celebs for the annual kickoff party. This year Natalie Portman will grace the stage to discuss her career, followed by a cocktail party with mingling and musical performances. This is an invite-only event.

AMBI Gala
The AMBI group is hosting a star-studded gala in support of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which works to address environmental issues. The event will bring guests to the Four Seasons Hotel in Yorkville to see Diana Ross Perform. Those in attendance can expect to see celebs like James Franco and Heidi Klum. Individual tickets will put you back $2500.

Canadian Filmmakers' Party
This members and invite-only event at The Spoke Club, held in partnership with etalk and The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, brings together the best and brightest talent involved in Canadian Film and Television. Who's attending? Ben Mulroney, Zoie Palmer, Jason Priestley, and more.

SEPTEMBER 10

Mongrel House Opening Night Party
With more than a few films showing at TIFF - 19 to be exact - Mongrel Media is looking to celebrate. On opening night they'll be throwing and exclusive, invite-only bash with the who's who of TIFF attendees on the guest list at the Campbell House.

Drake House Party
The list of invite-only soirées grossly outweighs those that the average Torontonian can attend. However, if you don't find yourself on any star-studded guest list, The Drake has got you covered. It has partnered with Absolut to throw a building-wide event with tons of live music, manicures by Pinky's Nails, and tattoos by Speakeasy. A bonus: there will be 4am last call and cover is only $10.

TIFF Opening Night: Grolsch Open House Afterparty
This free event will have you celebrating at back to back parties. Head to the York Street Parkette from 7-10 pm for live music, art, food and drinks. Once that's wrapped up move inside the Drake One Fifty for an afterparty with DJs, drinks, and the much needed 4am last call.

Demolition Premiere Cast Dinner
If you're looking to spot some stars, hang around Patria the evening of the 10th. Past TIFF parties here have seen the likes of Melissa McCarthy, Bill Murray and Kristin Wiig. Security here will be air tight, so don't expect to be dining on Spanish seafood two tables away from expected guests Jake Gyllenhaal and Naomi Watts.

SEPTEMBER 11

The Producers Ball
The Royal Ontario Museum will be filled with the industry elite to celebrate - you guessed it - producers. The Property Brothers, Drew and Jonathan Scott, will be hosting the event and many celebs are expected to be in attendance. The ball is private, but there's no harm trying to schmooze your way in.

SEPTEMBER 12

Men of Characters TIFF Industry Party
Men of Characters is celebrating the completed production of Hunter's Moon and is throwing a bash at Michael's on Simcoe to celebrate. VIP guests include Ari Millen, Jon Car, Katie Boland, and Paul Mason. This event is invite only.

UNIFRANCE Party
UNIFRANCE is hosting an exclusive cocktail party at The Fifth Social Club in celebration of the top French Filmmakers and talent at TIFF. The event is private and by invite only, so don't expect to rub shoulders with film elite if you aren't on the guest list.

Trumbo Premiere Cocktail
This chic cocktail party, hosted by the Hudson's Bay Company, will bring bigwigs to the Entertainment District for an invite-only, 40's themed bash. If you manage to figure out the party's top secret whereabouts, you may be able to catch Bryan Cranston, Dame Helen Mirren, John Goodman, Diane Lane, or Elle Fanning as they exit.

SEPTEMBER 13

The Canada Party at TIFF 2015
This bash, held at The Fifth Social Club, will have you reveling in all things Canuck. There will be Dj's, Canadian fare, and plenty of craft beer. Best of all there's no VIP section, so guests can mingle with the bevy of Canadian filmmakers and actors in attendance. Unfortunately, it's invite only.

Highrise Premiere Celebration
There will be a star-studded British invasion at Byblos on September 13th, hosted by CEO of the Gansevoort Hotel Group, Michael Achenbaum. If you hang around outside, you may be able to have an "impromptu" meeting with Tom Hiddleston, Sienna Miller, or Jeremy Irons.

Born to Be Blue Premiere Bash
Men's FASHION Magazine will bring big actors like Ethan Hawke, Callum Keith Rennie and Katie Boland to The Citizen. The evening's soundtrack will be provided by the band featured in the film, so expect more than a little bit of dancing to go down. As per usual, you won't be able to get into the bash unless you've managed to get a coveted spot on the guest list.

Artists for Peace and Justice Festival Gala
Back for its 4th year, the APJ Festival Gala will bring philanthropists, businesspeople, film stars, directors, musicians, and artists to Casa Loma for cocktails and fundraising. Though this event isn't 100% TIFF related, the gala always happens during the festival. To attend you'll have to earn a spot on the guest list by doing some serious last-minute networking.

Canadian Film Centre Annual BBQ
The annual CFC BBQ celebrates alumni achievements and raises funds for the organization. Unfortunately, this is not your average community hamburger-flipping event, so you'll have to be on the guest list to get in. If you do, expect to find a ton of celebs, media professionals, and film buffs snacking on BBQ fare.

Equals Premiere Party
Come September 13th, expect Maison Mercer to be buzzing with Hollywood hotshots like Kristen Stewart, Nicholas Hoult and Guy Pierce. Like most cast parties, the bash is extremely exclusive - so unless you're one of the lucky few on the guest list, you'll have to wait on the sidewalk to see any celebs.

SEPTEMBER 15

Birks Diamond Tribute to the Year's Women in Film
World-renowned jewelry retailer Birks is hosting their 3rd annual Women in Film bash at the Shangri-La Hotel. Among the 2015 honourees are Catherine O'Hara, Sophie Deraspe, and Ingrid Veninger. This is a private event, but for those who like to do a little star-spotting there will be a red carpet where non-famous cinema-lovers can get a glimpse of the stars.

Studio District Film Party
This invite-only party, hosted by ACTRA Toronto and HangLoose Media, will bring guests and press to Toronto's studio district for a night of entertainment. What's on tap? Aerialists pouring champagne from above the crowd, a live orchestra, DJ, and more.

Canadian Cinema Editor's Party
CCE members will gather in The Gladstone Hotel ballroom for a party featuring cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and rock n' roll music. Attendees will have the chance to win prizes from Avid Technology and Blackmagic Design. This is a private event.

With contributions from Natalia Manzocco.

Did we miss any TIFF parties? Add them to the comments.


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