The 33rd annual Toronto International Film Festival was held September 4 to 13, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario. TIFF showed 312 films from 64 countries, including 249 feature-length films, 76 per cent of which are world, international or North American premieres, and 61 of which are feature directorial debuts. TIFF was organized into many programmes including Canadian Programming, Indie Film Lounge, Real to Reel, Dialogues: Talking with Pictures, African and Common Wealth Programmes (formerly Planet Africa but now spread throughout the other programmes), Midnight Madness as well as other programmes such as contemporary world cinema. Due to the timing of the Oscar awards which had been moved up a month, the Toronto International Film Festival is seen by Hollywood as an ideal launching pad for Oscar contenders which will increase revenue for cash starved Hollywood Producers. Although TIFF shows many films that are not commercial, its seems too much of the media attention is on major Hollywood films and their stars and hence the festival may be too commercial.

Indie Film Lounge

"Launched in September 2002 by Programming Manager Kirk Cooper, the Indie Film Lounge was conceived as a two-day symposium to open doors for emerging film makers from our many ethnic communities, while introducing them to established members of the Canadian and international film community" [2005 Indie Film Lounge guide] The Indie Film Lounge was launched with a reception and IFL brunches in Yorkville.

The industry sections consists of services and programmes for the assistance and development of film makers and to provide opportunities for film makers to develop and promote their projects. The public section consists of a parallel schedule separate from the media and industry screening for the public to purchase tickets.

CFC

The Canadian Film Centre ( CFC ) held its annual BBQ on its beautiful grounds on Bayview Avenue in Toronto, Ontario Canada. In spite of the rain, attendees enjoyed great food and company. At the BBQ, the Ontario government announced that it "is helping to ensure the centre remains competitive in the fast-growing global entertainment market by providing $2.5 million to improve its facilities." The funding will be used for capital repair and expansion needs to support the centre's advanced training programs. This funding is in addition to Ontario's $10 million investment in the CFC announced in the 2005 provincial budget. "The entertainment industry is an important part of Ontario's economy. By supporting the development of our best creative talent, we help strengthen Ontario's position in the rapidly growing cultural industries," said Culture Minister Aileen Carroll, who made the funding announcement at the CFC annual barbecue, which is held each year during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Although not as exciting and wild as those in Cannes, TIFF does have vibrant parties to network and to celebrate the films. More business may now be done at TIFF than any other film festival in the world!! Although it is possible to purchases tickets for the closing parties and some of the more expensive Patron programs include tickets to the opening and closing parties, most of the parties are private and by private invitation only - meaning it's who you know not how deserving you are for attending the parties and there are various sections of VIP - if you purchase a ticket don't expect to be chatting quietly over a glass of wine with your favorite Hollywood star!

TIFF Awards

• AWARD FOR BEST CANADIAN SHORT FILM: Chris Chong Chan Fui's Block B which examines the lives of an expatriate Indian community weaving itself through the contradicting soundscapes of contemporary Malaysia.
• CITYTV AWARD FOR BEST CANADIAN FIRST FEATURE FILM: Marie-Hélène Cousineau and Madeline Piujuq Ivalu's Before Tomorrow which is based on the novel by acclaimed Danish author Jørn Riel, and is a drama about a strong Inuit woman and her beloved grandson, who become trapped on a remote island as they face the ultimate challenge of survival.
• CITY OF TORONTO-CITYTV AWARD FOR BEST CANADIAN FEATURE FILM: Rodrigue Jean's Lost Song.
  
• DIESEL DISCOVERY AWARD: Steve McQueen's Hunger which follows Bobby Sands and the other political inmates of Northern Ireland's Maze Prison in 1981 as they seek to gain special category status for republican prisoners.
• The Prize of the International Critics (FIPRESCI Prize) for Discovery: Derick Martini's Lymelife.
• The Prize of the International Critics (FIPRESCI Prize) for Special Presentations: Steve Jacobs' Disgrace.
• CADILLAC PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD: Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire - film about a kid with nothing, who has everything to lose. Jamal Malik, an 18-year -old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India's "Who Wants to be A Millionaire?" Arrested on suspicion of cheating, he tells the police the amazing tale of his life on the streets, and of the girl he loved and lost. But what is a kid with no interest in money doing on the show? And how does he know all the answers? First runner-up is Kristopher Belman's More Than A Game and the second runner- up is Cyrus Nowrasteh's The Stoning of Soraya M. The award offers a $15,000 cash prize and custom award, sponsored by Cadillac.

The Awards Reception was generously sponsored by the Intercontinental on Front Street in Toronto.

With the best recent films from Canada and around the globe, - this is the film festival in North America and perhaps it has now surpassed Cannes! How many of the films shown here will win Oscars? How will the independent films do? How many deals were struck? Check back here in September 2009 for the 34th Toronto International Film Festival 2009!