#TIFF14: DAY 7 RECAP – The second annual Birks Diamond Tribute to the Year’s Women in Film, JEAN DUJARDIN + MORE

It was amazing today finally getting a chance to enjoy a bit of rest and relaxation during the day before heading out to cover an Event I’m particularly proud to support.  The second annual Birks Diamond Tribute to the Year’s Women in Film took place at Birks (Manulife Centre), drawing a large crowd of Onlookers and Fans in the dedicated Fanzone area, even with the onset of rain.

The Event honours Female Directors and Actors who have had an outstanding year at home and abroad, as selected by a Jury of Media and Entertainment Specialists. Recognized this year were as follows: Jennifer Baichwal; Ric Esther Bienstock; Marie-Hélène Cousineau and Madeline Piujuq Ivalu (co-directors of Uvanga); and Nancy Florence Savard, as well as Actors Anne Dorval; Tatiana Maslany; Sophie Nélisse; Molly Parker; and Cobie Smulders.

The Cocktail Reception saw the Recipients awarded on-stage and among them, Maslany who is riding a career high right now based on the success of internationally-acclaimed series Orphan Black not only garnering her a Critics Choice Award, but also a Golden Globe nomination. Just earlier this year, we witnessed her win a Canadian Screen Award also (more here).

Walking the Red Carpet this afternoon were a bevvy of Canadian Talent including Justin Kelly (Maps to the Stars), Shannon Kook (Empire of Dirt), Julia Sarah Stone (Wet Bum), Katie Boland (The Master), Katie Noland (Pawn Sacrifice), Sophie Desmarais (Sarah Prefers to Run), Ben Lewis & Lauren Collins (Zero Recognition), Eric Johnson (Smallville), Steven Lund (Bitten), Natalie Brown (The Strain), Warren Sonoda (Swearnet), Amanda Brugel (Sex After Kids), Peter Keleghan (Sex After Kids) and an expecting Erica Durance (Saving Hope), among many more.

See some of the Talent here:

In other news, we spotted the Academy Award-winning Actor Jean Dujardin, best known in these parts for his phenomenal performance in The Artist. The French Star is getting ready to premiere his new Film, Action-Thriller The Connection at TIFF ’14. He is every bit as amazing I imagined he’d be!

And on a separate note, we spotted Mike Tyson – not in town for TIFF ‘14 per say, but here to perform his One-Man Show MIKE TYSON: THE UNDISPUTED TRUTH at Air Canada Centre. He may have raised a few eye brows earlier with rampage on CP24 earlier today. More on that here.

Although the names certainly are fewer at this stage of the Festival, do expect a couple big names here tomorrow!

Be following here for up-to-the minute updates and sightings!

Twitter: @MRWILLW
Instagram: @MRWILLWONG

All Photos captured on the NIKON D3300 and communicated via the Samsung Galaxy Tab S.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)