Every year, the Toronto International Film Festival brings some of the biggest celebrities in the world to our fine city, sending locals into a star-crazed frenzy. TIFF 2015 is no different with everyone from Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore, and Kristen Stewart to Brian Cransten, James Franco, Sandra Bullock, and Johnny Depp descending on the 6ix like it’s Oscars week in Hollywood. Here’s Vv Magazine‘s guide to meeting your favourite Hollywood heartthrobs without getting a restraining order in the process…
1. Know their local hang spots
Sure, it’s easy to get a master plan of all the TIFF 2015 exclusive film parties, many of which take place at members-only social club Soho House, but you’re more likely to run into one of your favourite stars frequenting their favourite Toronto digs. After all, Toronto is the new Hollywood North (sorry, Vancouver), so Oscar-hungry actors are in the 6ix for more than just the first two weeks of September, with everyone from hometown hero, director David Cronenberg, to new Batman director David Ayer shooting in our fair city for months at a time. That means stars not only know TO’s grid almost as well as they do Manhattan’s, they’ve got their favourite restaurants, bars, coffee shops, concert venues, patios, and more. Jake Gyllenhaal, for instance, couldn’t get enough of Terroni when he was in town shooting Enemy, while vegan poster boy Jared Leto spent many a summer 2015 night on the patio of Fresh at the corner of Crawford and Queen. As far as brunch goes, The Drake Hotel tends to attract the hip Hollywood set, with Zoe Kravitz getting her breakfast on at the beloved art hotel just earlier this week.
2. Instagram and Twitter are your bread crumbs
The best way to play professional star sleuth is to follow the right set of local gossip-hound bloggers and C-list celebs on social media. Both personality types not only over-share on Twitter and Instagram, but also brag when they’re in the company of anyone who’s actually famous because it lends them credibility. Always wanted to meet Johnny Depp? Follow all the less-famous actors in his TIFF 2015 film Black Mass and you’re bound to get clues to the Hollywood bad boy’s whereabouts just by following the brags like bread crumbs.
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3. Smoke cigarettes
Okay, you don’t actually have to pick up smoking, but keep in mind that many a Hollywood star still like to inhale Marlboros like the appetite suppressants they are. Locate all the side exits for party venues where smokers take their ciggie breaks and hang near these smoker havens. It helps to have your own ciggies–that way you can pretend to have been at the party yourself or at least not seem so creepy when you offer a light.
4. Fake like you work the festival
Fans congregate around red carpets hoping to get a glimpse of their favourite stars, but you’re more likely to get elbows in the rib cage from crazed selfie enthusiasts than you are a brush with actual fame. Put on a power suit, hold a clipboard and talk aggressively into a mic’d headset and people will think you’re working the festival and will instantly move out of your way.
5. Hit hot concerts
If Coachella has taught us anything, it’s that Hollywood stars show off their cool cred by hitting the “right” concerts. While it won’t be easy to run into anyone with VIP access to, say, Janet Jackson’s September 15th show in Toronto for The Unbreakable World Tour, chances are you’ll run into a music-loving celeb catching Ani DiFranco at The Great Hall on September 14 or even Canadian gems Sloan at Massey Hall on September 11.
Related Link: The 20 Sexiest Celebrities coming to TIFF 2015
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Which celebrity are you most excited to see at TIFF 2015? Let Vv Magazine know in the comments below, or tweet us @ViewtheVibe.