Party of the week: TIFF's inaugural Tribute Gala

TIFF Tribute Gala, Toronto

With a plethora of pre-and-post-premiere parties for the 2019 edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, the TIFF Tribute Gala.

The Sept. 9 splashy sit-down drew some 500 film and philanthropic types to the Fairmont Royal York, where a handful of names, both household and on-the-rise were recognized for their contributions to cinema. Meryl Streep was perhaps the best-known recipient. The Academy Award-winning actor, who was in town to screen her latest movie The Laundromat, received an award for one performance but rather Streep's speech applauded TIFF for "moving the needle by intention" and "stepping ahead and making the charge to include women directors and women's stories."

The evening also honored Joaquin Phoenix (who was in town for his movie Joker), director Taika Waititi (JoJo Rabbit), cinematographer Roger Deakins (The GoldfinchDavid Foster (here for his Barry Avrich directed doc David Foster: Off the Record). Seated near me at dinner was the French director Mati Diop, who received an award named in honor of Toronto-born Mary Pickford. Diop's movie, Atlantics, which screened during the festival, was recently awarded the Grand Prix at Cannes, making the first black female director to win an award in Cannes' 72-year history. At the table too was actor Isabelle Huppert, who presented Diop with her award, my seatmate the film's producer Judith Lou Levy and fellow tablemate Ira Sachs, who directed Huppert in Frankie, which had its North American premiere at the festival.

With Joana Vicente and Cameron Bailey, co-heads of TIFF as unofficial co-chairs, the evening served as a fundraiser for the not-for-profit festival, raising an impressive sum – more than $ 1-million – that will support the festival's year -round commitment to the advancement of film. Anne-Marie Canning, a supporter of TIFF's Share Her Journey Initiative, which aims to increase participation and opportunities for women working in film; Barry Campbell, who recently stepped off the TIFF board after 18 years of service; Jennifer Tory, RBC's Chief Administrative Officer, Mayor John, and his wife, Barbara.

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