It’s official TIFFMAS! It was a bit of running about today but thrilled that TIFF ’23 finally has kicked-off. While the Opening Night Gala took place at Roy Thomson Hall and Princess of Wales Theatre for Hayao Miyazaki’s THE BOY AND THE BLUE HERON, it was just like every other TIFF we’ve loved with King Street lit abuzz with starpower in front of Royal Alexandra Theatre for the Premiere of GONZO GIRL, based on true accounts by Hunter S. Thompson‘s assistant. This marks Oscar winner Patricia Arquette‘s first time directing, and in addition to starring in the Film, we also get Camila Morrone (Daisy Jones & The Six) and icon Willem Dafoe also! Arquette receives TIFF’s Share Her Journey Changemaker Award this weekend as well. Well deserved.
We’re only getting started but this is a promising start!
Some Snaps:
Not sure if you had a chance to check-out our chat with Sonia Mangat in the CTV eTalk TIFF Lounge, but it was so much fun!
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF, is delighted to announce that Academy award–winning actor, women’s rights activist, and entrepreneur Patricia Arquette will receive the TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award presented by Bulgari during the 48th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival. Arquette is the final honouree to be announced ahead of the 2023 TIFF Tribute Awards, taking place Sunday, September 10 at Fairmont Royal York Hotel, presented by Bulgari.
The TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award, presented by Bulgari, recognizes a woman who is a leader in the film industry and has made a positive impact on women throughout their career. The award is inspired by TIFF’s Share Her Journey initiative, created to address gender parity in the film industry, to champion women at every stage of their creative journey, and to shine a spotlight on women creators making a significant difference in the industry. Academy award–winning actor Michelle Yeoh was honoured at last year’s Awards.
“We take great pride in recognizing Patricia Arquette’s remarkable contributions both in front of and behind the camera, as exemplified by the Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award and the premiere of her directorial debut, Gonzo Girl, at the Festival,” said Bailey. “Being one of Hollywood’s most audacious talents, Patricia consistently challenges conventions and elevates the discourse on salary equity for women through her influential platform.”
Her career has spanned genres and decades in film and television, from her breakout role in Tony Scott’s True Romance, to her memorable performances in Tim Burton’s Ed Wood, David Lynch’s Lost Highway, and Richard Linklater’s Boyhood. Arquette returns to the Festival with her directorial debut Gonzo Girl, starring Willem Dafoe and Camila Morrone, based on Cheryl Della Pietra’s semi-autobiographical novel chronicling her time as Hunter S. Thompson’s personal assistant.
The Tribute Awards gala is TIFF’s largest annual fundraiser, having raised $1.3 million in 2022, and is presented by Bulgari, sharing their commitment to arts and culture along with TIFF. This year, the Tribute Awards gala will support the Viola Desmond Cinema campaign, which was launched through the Every Story Fund in 2022. For more information, visit tiff.net/tribute.
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