There are hundreds of film festivals all over the world, but only a few can command the type of star power and quality film submissions that people expect from a world class festival. The Toronto International Film Festival is one of these events. Not only is it a major event on every filmmaker's calendar, but also on the calendars of a lot of film fans as well who stop selling cheap tires in Toronto specifically for the event. It is the biggest such event in Canada and anyone who enjoys film is advised to attend at least once in their lifetime.

The Toronto International Film Festival is a ten day event in September which includes screenings, lectures, panels, press conferences, parties, meet and greets, pitch sessions, and of course awards all spread out over ten different theaters and halls across Toronto. Sessions frequently overlap, so a chiropractor in Toronto looking to take in some of the festival will have several different events to choose from. It can make it difficult for film fans to choose, since it's impossible to see everything.

For professional filmmakers, especially directors and producers, the Toronto International Film Festival isn't just a big party where you could walk away with an award, it's a giant marketplace. Filmmakers and distributors use festivals like TIFF to form partnerships and find distribution deals. Many of the independent films you see in theaters down the street from your Toronto condos are able to be released to the public because of a deal done between its producers and a distributor at the Toronto International Film Festival.

TIFF is also a place to see and be seen. While the producers and distributors are in the back rooms doing deals, the actors, directors, and writers are making the rounds with panels, Q&A sessions, and parties to get the word out about their latest work and boost their public profiles. In fact, there are so many celebrities in town that it's hard to get certain special items like dental veneers in Toronto during the festival. Many Torontonians like to celebrity watch during this time.

But of course a film festival is all about the films. With an event like TIFF, filmmakers submit their films to the panel, which consists of industry experts and event organizers. They then review the films and fill the schedule with their selections. Each film festival panel has different priorities, such as independence or art. The Toronto International Film Festival tends to choose more commercial, saleable, marketable material than a lot of other festivals. If you've missed the festival, you can still get canvas prints in Toronto of the events or take in some of the year-round initiatives.