2011 Toronto International Film Festival prepares to launch

The 36th Toronto International Film Festival begins tomorrow night with the opening gala screening of the U2 documentary From the Sky Down by Davis Guggenheim. But already, the festival hub was buzzing with activity. Here are some photos from the pre-festival happenings.

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An eerily quiet TIFF Bell Lightbox

TIFF volunteers keeping guard at the industry office.
















A still calm Sales and Industry office.















Gathering for the RBC Emerging Filmmakers Competition announcement at the Blackberry Lounge.

TIFF's RBC Emerging Filmmakers Competition finalists Jared Raab, Kaveh Nabation, Kara Blake, Gabriel Taraboulsy and Sean Wainsteim. Jennifer Tory of RBC speaks at the podium.














Jared Raab (The Revenge Plot) accepts Fan Favourite Award, which comes with $5,000 prize.

Gabriel Taraboulsy (My First Movie) accepts Honourable Mention Award, which comes with $10,000 prize. TIFF CEO and director Piers Handling looks on.

 Kara Blake (Next of Kin) accepts the National prize which comes with $15,000.

 The winners with Piers Handing and Jennifer Tory.

 Me with Mr. Brainwash at the Fellini exhibit at Lightbox, in advance of his installation opening at gallery one.

Programmer Ambrose Roche (NXNE Film Festival) and filmmaker Yuval Daniel at the Jet Lag cocktail reception

Filmmakers Ngardy Conteh (Leone Stars Pitch This finalist), Frederic "Zefred" Ansaldo, Kirk Cooper (Film Market Access) and Allan Tong (Leone Stars Pitch This finalist) at the Jet Lag cocktail reception.

Jet Lag cocktail reception.

Screenwriter Federico Vargas and Shane Smith (Director of Public Programmes for TIFF Bell Lightbox) at the Jet Lag cocktail reception.

Dolby SURROUNDED reception

Caribbean Tales Opening “Fete”

Babs Jona and Dawn Wilkinson at the Caribbean Tales Opening “Fete”

Caribbean Tales Opening “Fete”

Cameron Bailey presented with special award of honour.

Cameron Bailey gives an acceptance speech.

Cameron Bailey with festival director Frances-Anne Solomon.















Frances-Anne Solomon after introducing MacArthur Linda Lewis, a.k.a. "Calypso Rose,"

Dolby SURROUNDED panel with moderator Steve Pond (The Wrap), Matthew Iadarola (Re-recording mixer for Samsara), Benoit Forté (Senior Electronics Technologist, National Film Board of Canada), Doug Delaney (Feature DI Colourist for New Hat), and Stuart Bowling (Dolby Laboratories)

Young Filmmakers part at The Drake Hotel hosted by John Davidson, Patrick Yang and Shawn Reynolds.

With actor Lyriq Bent