The Toronto Film Festival rolled out the red carpet Monday night for its inaugural TIFF Tribute Gala, a fundraiser and awards-season launcher that feted a select group of cinema changemakers
and included both inspiring and surprising moments.
Held at the historic Fairmont Royal York Hotel, the packed event was hosted by Toronto thesps Sarah Gadon (“American Woman”) and Stephan James (“If Beale Street Could Talk”).
both alumni of TIFF Rising Stars, one of many career-boosting programs the not-for-profit TIFF puts on year round.
Following a greeting from TIFF co-heads Cameron Bailey and Joanna Vicente — who together decided to consolidate previous tribute/fundraiser events into a single high-profile festival centerpiece for maximum impact
— “The Goldfinch” director John Crowley presented the Variety Artisan Award to Roger Deakins.
“I am honored to make a great artist greatly uncomfortable,” Crowley joked, referring to the legendary cinematographer’s dislike of the spotlight.
Deakins — whose work, like that of his fellow honorees, was showcased in a montage of iconic shots and scenes — told the crowd he’d only feel comfortable if his 40 to 50 regular crew members, including his wife, were standing beside him on the stage.
“Roma” star Yalitza Aparicio presented the Tribute Impact Award to Participant Media, pointing to its unity of “art and activism” in more than 100 feature and documentary films produced over the past 15 years.
Accepting the award on behalf of the company, which was founded by Canadian Jeff Skoll in 2004, Participant CEO David Linde gave a shout-out to Thomas Balmes” Toronto-premiering doc “Sing Me A Song,” which examines the transformative impact of the Internet on a young Buddhist monk in Bhutan, as well as Canadian film distribution and activist partners, and colleagues in the room.
The Toronto Film Festival
