The Toronto film festival has been called the preeminent film festival in North America by The New York Times because major film studios and cinema centers use it to preview their new films. Its selections usually receive intense critical scrutiny and praise. There is also a concurrent documentary sidebar festival.
Cineste Magazine wrote: "Toronto continues to be the one essential North American film festival—and a very accurate barometer of the releases, both commercial and art-house, that will preoccupy audiences' attention for the next twelve months." The Toronto Film Festival is so successful that we have had to book four nights lodging in order to secure a good hotel.
The English-speaking city of Toronto is a great pleasure to visit. Our hotel and the film festival are in an area of book and music shops, along with wonderful museums, parks, and restaurants.
Toronto is the third largest theatre city after New York City and London, and is third in world film and television production. There are nine city museums and 125 museums and archives in the general area, as well as 50 ballet and dance companies and sports teams.
Metropolitan Toronto has a population of over 2.4 million, with at least 80 different cultures. Excellent subway and bus systems make getting around quite easy. Situated on Lake Ontario, the waterfront attractions and beaches, the 14 Toronto islands of 600 acres (including a nude beach) feature waterways and bike paths and no cars. The St. Lawrence Market has a host of food stalls. Kids will enjoy Paramount Canada's wonderful Black Creek Pioneer Valley, the Metro Toronto Zoo, and the Ontario science center. Visit www.torontotourism.com. The current 15% plus premium of the U.S. dollar is an added attraction.
Our hotel will be the Metropolitan Hotel in the Yorktown (downtown) area of Toronto, near all the film festival events. The hotel features a fitness center and heated indoor pool, limo service, and excellent dining. Time Out Toronto wrote that the hotel "has tasteful and comfortable rooms" and the "central location is a bonus too."
Toronto weather in early September is often quite pleasant; the average temperature in September ranges from 68 to 55. Clothing is usually casual.
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Thursday 9/6 to Monday 9/10, 2007 |
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Thursday: We meet each other at the Metropolitan, a festival partner in downtown Toronto, discuss our plans, and attend our first film.
Friday: Our group meets at 10 AM. in our hotel to review last night's film, the festival so far, and possibly meet a guest speaker. We break for lunch and attend films during the afternoon and evening.
Saturday: We meet at 10 AM at our hotel to discuss yesterday's films, meet guests, and prepare for the day's films.
Sunday: Our group meets at 10AM at our hotel to discuss the previous day's films and plan the rest of the day.
Cost: $1,400 to $1,800
Includes: Four nights lodging at the Metropolitan Hotel, festival events, and movie tickets, and other possible activities such as wine tasting, cooking classes, or sightseeing.
