It’s that time of the year again! We admit TIFF ’20 couldn’t gave come any sooner as it is the highlight of our year every year. While our expectations have been managed of a reduced Festival in light of our current climate, we still plan to celebrate the best Film Festival in the world however we can. We understand the star power won’t be here in the City like previous years, but we are still excited to deliver you content just as you were there with us at the Festival! We’ve got our Films picked-out and look forward to bringing you highlights from some star-studded In-Conversations with the likes of Halle Berry, Denzel Washington, Saoirse Ronan and more, plus daily reviews of the Festival’s most-buzzed titles! Team Mr. Will are thrilled to deliver you our best coverage just like we do every year, even if on a different scale!
We spoke to The Toronto Sun‘s Jane Stevenson about how this year’s set-up impacts our plans here.
First are foremost we’d like to thank our partners, returning and new this year.
H&M CANADA – H&M still remains our favourite fashion go-to year after year and while there are a limited number of physical events to attend this year, we’re still honoured to showcase pieces from their Fall/Winter 2020 Collection! With the seasons changing, H&M wants to help you build your best and coziest Fall wardrobe. With all H&M stores officially reopened across Canada, they have great, fashionable Fall items and amazing deals happening both online and in store. We’re thrilled to rock a couple new pieces from their Fall/Winter 2020 Collection at some TIFF ’20 in-person events.
CHATIME CANADA – We are obsessed with Chatime and are delighted again this year to give our Readers and Followers a chance to win some gift vouchers. Others try, but Chatime has proven time and again to be the best Bubble Tea available and we’re thrilled they’re branching-out to several new areas for you to see what the crazy is all about! We live a walk away from a location but often just Uber Eats it in as nothing’s better than bypassing the wait! My recommendations are their Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea, Wintermelon Iced Tea or Iced Grapefruit Black Tea! Be sure to try their brand-new Tea of the Month, the Brown Rice Green Tea with Fresh Milk and also their 1 litre Super Cups Also right in-time for Mid-Autumn Festival, you also can find limited edition Mooncakes in select stores by Bake Code!
NTD APPAREL INC. – We understand safety should always come at the expense of fun and style. NTD Apparel Inc.’s official licensed merchandise are available at several retailers like Winners, Walmart, Canadian Tire and more! We offered you a chance to win some JAWS and BACK TO THE FUTURE face coverings in July and those were a huge hit!
SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT – One of our favourite purveyor of cinematic hits has in recent months brought us our favourites on Home Entertainment including Bad Boys For Life, Little Women, A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood, Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood, Bloodshot and more!
ACURA CANADA – As TIFF this year while largely is digital, it will include a Drive-In component, more than ever do we need an amazing ride for the task. We’ll be arriving in style TIFF ’20 in the 2020 ACURA ILX TECH A-SPEC! We’ve already got a few Premieres on our schedule that we’ll enjoy in the ILX and we can’t wait to take you along with us for the ride!
NINJA KITCHEN CANADA – One of the joys of our pandemic has been sharpening our culinary skills and we were excited to launch a Cooking section on our website and the feedback has been amazing! Never did we realize before how much the Ninja Kitchen Air Fryer would elevate and simplify our cooking experience. We’ve made everything from Roast Chicken to Doughnuts to Steak and it is a joy to know we can have our favourite Sweet Potato Fries whenever we want now! Being home at TIFF this year more than ever for screenings, we appreciate the value of good food at home while we’re screening the Festival’s hottest titles.
STARBUCKS CANADA – Starbucks was a part of my daily life before the pandemic and it broke my heart that being home meant I couldn’t have my Starbucks every day. We’re so happy their stores are open again full-service and right in time for Pumpkin Spice Latte season – our favourite thing to have every TIFF, iced or hot! And don’t forget to try their brand-new Apple Oat Flat White. The ever-popular Oat Beverage is now available as a dairy alternative!
HAPPY HAND SANITIZER – More than ever before do we depend on staying safe with some sanitizer. Available at retailers like Well.ca and Whole Foods, Happy Hand Sanitizer sprays on easy, moisturizes, dries quick and is unscented. Best of all, it isn’t goopy like many others on the market. It also is safe for continued daily use at 80% alcohol and available in 2 and 8 oz. bottles. We don’t go anywhere without it! And best of all, it’s Canadian-made!
More excitingly, we’re thrilled to give our lucky Readers a chance to enjoy some of the products our partners offer! One lucky Readers will win our MR. WILL’S TIFF SURVIVAL PRIZE PACK which is an annual highlight. This year, the prize is more thrilling than ever!
The Prize Pack includes:
1 Ninja Kitchen Air Fryer, 3.8L (value $189 CAN)
4 Chatime Canada Gift Drink Vouchers with official Chatime Reusable Straws (value $60 CAN)
$25 Starbucks Canada Gift Card (value $25 CAN)
1 H&M Canada VIP Discount Card, good for 25% off
1 Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Canada Blu-ray™ Set including: Bad Boys For Life, Little Women, A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood, Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood and Bloodshot! (value $125)
NTD Apparel Inc. official licensed BACK TO THE FUTURE and JAWS Face Coverings (value $25)
2 2 oz. bottles of HAPPY Hand Sanitizer (value $15)
A total value of at least $500 CAN! If the drawn winner is from the Great Toronto Area, I will hand-deliver the package to you during TIFF ’20.
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. You can Re-Tweet this Contest Tweet from @mrwillw or tag two friends on this Post on our Instagram for an extra chance! You must be following and we will be verifying!
Even if you don’t win the Prize Pack, we’ve got some goodies to give away on our Social Media throughout the Fest!
#TIFF20 runs September 10-20, 2020.
Happy TIFF, everyone!
Team Mr. Will
We’re sad and in ways glad to see TIFF ’15 ending and although we love the excitement, it’s nice to get back to normal again. We worked ourselves into the ground and got quite ill, but we’re fighting it. We believe in transparency and admit this wasn’t the most exciting Festival in memory, but we had fun and look forward to TIFF ’16. With rain drowning-out a lot of the fun on the Festival’s three busiest days, fans were forced to make the most out of the situation and in these times we see truly who the champs of Hollywood truly are!
Whether it be Tom Hardy or George Clooney braving the wet for fans, few can argue that it’s absolutely worth the labour and effort for that one moment of connection.
Let’s look back at my highlights of TIFF ’15!
To say this was a chore is an understatement. I love Brie Larson and if she doesn’t know that by now then it’s time to invest in a billboard. This Selfie took nine tries dating back to 2013. Prior to TIFF ’15, many were asking who she was. Now that the festival is over, people are googling. She is amazing in Room, but I’ve enjoyed her work long before that. Expect her to be in the thick of the Best Actress race this Awards Season. Worth it? Totally.
Happy to see the #bae, #TomHardy. Nicest man of #TIFF15. #TIFF #TIFF40 #LEGENDMovie #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Analeigh Tipton. I’ve been singing her praises for years and all it is gonna take for this former America’s Next Top Model contestant to get that one breakout role and I’m confident you too will fall in love with the statuesque stunner. She was here for a supporting role in Ryan Reynolds‘ Film Mississippi Grind.
The talented and lovely #AnaleighTipton, at #TIFF15 with #MississippiGrind. One of my favourite young actresses. She promised me a #selfie three years ago and did it! Do you believe she once was a contestant on #ANTM? #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
#ShiaLaBeouf at #TIFF15 for #ManDown. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Arrived 6:50 AM and that’s the closest I could get to #JohnnyDepp. #BlackMass #TIFF15 #Tiff40 #Toronto #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Kevin Bacon. Can’t knock this champ. He met everyone and even accommodated me for a Selfie at the Black Mass Press Conference. Unsure why this pic is so pixelicious. Oh well, I tried! LOL
Beyond thrilled to meet #LukeEvans! At #TIFF15 for #HighRiseMovie. #Tiff40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Handsome #TomHiddleston at the post-party for #HighRiseMovie at Byblos. #TIFF15 #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
#EddieRedmayne hugging #ToniCollette. #TIFF #Tiff40 #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF15 #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
#EddieRedmayne at #TIFF15 for #TheDanishGirl. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
#BenFoster at #TIFF15 with #TheProgram. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #LanceArmstrong #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
#BryanCranston at the #EntertainmentWeekly #TIFF15 Party. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
#EmilyBlunt at the #EntertainmentWeekly #TIFF15 Party. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
#JessicaChastain at the #EntertainmentWeekly #TIFF15 Party. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Oops! I did it again. #MattDamon at the #EntertainmentWeekly #TIFF15 Party. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Finally. After six years of trying, it happened. #MattDamon + me. #TIFF15 #TheMartian #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
With Queen #JulianneMoore. At #TIFF15 for #FreeheldMovie. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
This one I’m extra-happy about! Finally a Selfie with #EllenPage, who slayed it in #FREEHELDMovie. #TIFF40 #TIFF15 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #Xmen #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
#SebastianStan at #TIFF15 for #TheMartian. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF #CaptainAmerica #WinterSoldier #BuckyBarnes #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
#KateMara at #TIFF15 for #TheMartian. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on My second time getting a and the man needs to up his Selfie Game. He is superb in . Nominee we’re thinking for sure.
#BenicioDelToro at #TIFF15 for #Sicario. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
#JoshuaJackson here to support #DianeKruger at #TIFF15 for #DisorderMovie. #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #TIFF #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Morning from #DianeKruger and me. She is at #TIFF15 with #DisorderMovie. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
#SalmaHayek at #TIFF15 for #SeptembersofShiraz. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
With the v. stunning #AnyaTaylorJoy, at #TIFF15 with #TheWitch. Rave reviews coming into #TIFF. #Tiff40 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
With legendary #JeremyIrons, at #TIFF15 with #TheManWhoKnewInfinity. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TIFF15 #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
#DrewBarrymore at #TIFF15 for #MissYouAlready. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Rock icon #KeithRichards at #TIFF15 with #UndertheInfluenceMovie. #TheRollingStones #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
It’s like time stood still for a moment between #NataliePortman and I. #TIFF15 #TIFFSoiree #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on . Huge fan of and her work in the Trilogy. She was in a foot cast for crying out loud. She tells me she broke her leg.. She is here for French Comedy.
The formidable #JulieDelpy, at #TIFF15 with #Lolo. #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival #LoloMovie #NikonD3300 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on None of us had any idea was showing-up as Producer of , starring . He walked the entire carpet, greeting fans as it was about to rain. I got sick waiting in the cold dampness, but well worth it.
Nick Robinson. This Jurassic World star was here for Rob Reiner‘s latest, Being Charlie. Certainly one to look-out for this next while.
#GeorgeClooney + #SandraBullock at the #OURBRANDISCRISIS Premiere, #TIFF15. #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
And now to thank our partners for TIFF ’15 whom we couldn’t have done it without. We did it bigger and better than ever this year! We won’t forget appearing on CBC’s Metro Morning, ITV’s Good Morning Britain, CTV News and CP24 and if you learned of us through these appearances, welcome and please stick around! We go hard year-round, not just TIFF!
Wrapping up #TIFF15 coverage at @CP24 with these two Media icons, Stephen LeDrew and @richardcrouse. A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Thank you to the following. I couldn’t have done TIFF ’15 with their generosity and support!
Thank you @novotelnorthamerica Downtown Centre! We couldn’t have done #TIFF15 without your hospitality and convenience. It means so much that Billy had a cozy, pet-friendly home away from home, where I could check in on him quickly from all the action! #TIFF40 #Novotel A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Thrilled to be reunited with the @fordcanada Focus Titanium #TIFF15! Luxurious lifesaver! #Ford #FordFocus #TIFF40 #TIFF #TorontoFilmFestival A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Hanging in the #CTV Green Room waiting for the Prime Minister to finish his speech. Here to talk #TIFF15! Many greats have chilled here like Taylor Swift for example! Do you like my doughnut shirt? Just one of a bunch of cool things I’ll be wearing thanks to H&M Canada! #TIFF #TIFF40 #TorontoFilmFestival #samsunggalaxys6 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
Our Contributors team-up to preview their top #TIFF15 Picks! Link in Bio! #TorontoFilmFestival #Toronto #TIFF #TIFF40 #TheSix #Review #Movie A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
I do it for the fans. #TIFF15 #TIFF40 A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong (@mrwillwong) on
TIFF ’16, bb.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
In the blink of an eye, the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival has arrived and now in its 40th year, the Festival promises to be bigger than better the year. Loaded with megawatts of star-power, we promise to be there every step of the way, giving you some of the most intimate access in the City to the Festival!
Before the TIFF 40/TIFF ’15 begins, we want to take a moment to thank our partners, many who are returning once again to show their support for the MR. WILL WONG brand! This is our sixth year blogging and we certainly are showing no signs of stopping. Star-spottings, Giveaways, Film Reviews and buzz. Our Team including Jonathan Godfrey, Justin Waldman, David Baldwin, George Kozera and myself have previewed some of the hottest titles at the Festival in advance so you’ll know which Films should be on your radars this Award season. We’ll be right in the thick of things with our unique perspective and you’ll be right in the know.
We’d like to thank:
CP24: For the seventh consecutive year, we are partnering with ultra-popular CP24 for up-to-the-minute celebrity sightings around the City! I’ll be in studio and catching-up with the station throughout the Festival, so be sure to tune-in! In the past we’ve appeared also on affiliates like Virgin Radio 99.9 and CTV News, so don’t be surprised that literally we’re everywhere again this TIFF!
ITV & TOURISM TORONTO: For the first time ever we’re appearing on television in the U.K. and we’re thrilled to have worked together with iTV and Tourism Toronto to draw focus on the excitement our City has to offer during TIFF, with a feature spot on popular morning program GOOD MORNING BRITAIN.
TYRRELLS: Made from the aristocratic potatoes of England, Tyrrells rapidly is gaining a reputation as the perfect chip for entertaining! What makes them unique is their intense taste, crunch and the fact they contain just a sliver of skin for that real potato authenticity. Flavours include Lightly Sea Salted, Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar, Sweet Chili & Red Pepper, Mature Cheddar & Chives, Sea Salt & Black Pepper, Worcestershire Sauce & Sundried Tomato and Vegetable Chips! Learn more here. Your friends and family will know you went that extra mile if they know you serve Tyrrells!
FORD CANADA: We’re a huge fan of Ford and once again they are on-board with us for TIFF 40/TIFF ’15! We’ll be driving in style this Festival in a fuel-efficient Ford Focus, which meets out biggest need – compactness and fuel-efficiency – to a t. We won’t miss a step this Festival thanks to Ford Canada. See our sweet ride in all its loaded glory here.
SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT CANADA: This year we’re giving our Readers a chance to win a couple awesome new English-themed releases in celebration of the City to City Programme’s focus on London. Although wildly-popular OUTLANDER Season 1, Volume 1 has already captivated fans, we’re giving you a chance to win also Volume 2 (out Tuesday, September 29, 2015) on DVD! Documentary LAMBERT & STAMP (in stores now) also gives us an intimate look at one of England’s most beloved rock outfits, The Who.
H&M CANADA: We love H&M and estimate that 90% 100% of our wardrobe is in fact H&M. They aren’t afraid of taking risks, have a bit of fun and continue to offer amazing value to Canada’s fashion-conscious. We are excited for you to see some the fun fashions we picked-out from their Fall/Winter 2015 Collection on our Social Media channels, during the Festival! We can’t wait for Katy Perry‘s holiday campaign! See some of their hottest new looks here!
HOTEL NOVOTEL TORONTO CENTRE: Billy and I dream of our cozy bed at Hotel Novotel Toronto Centre and can’t wait to enjoy what little sleep we intend to get at TIFF 40/TIFF ’15 this year. The Hotel is minutes from the thick of it all and their amazing facilities include Wi-Fi, a gym, accessible parking, pool and amazing breakfast buffet at Cafe Nicole offer exceptional value for anyone visiting Toronto during the Festival. Best of all, they’re pet-friendly (yay for Billy)! It’s always reassuring knowing this as we often stress about our loved ones with those long hours during TIFF. Learn more here.
NIKON CANADA: We get tons of compliments on our photography and wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support of Nikon Canada and our amazing D3300 HDSLR. We’re gonna take you that extra bit closer with their generosity, helping stay connected with our latest Photo updates via a WU-1a wireless mobile adapter and also a zoom lens. Can you handle that level of intimacy? You’ll basically be right beside the likes of Natalie Portman, Johnny Depp and Matt Damon! More here.
SAMSUNG CANADA: Staying connected is important and there could only be one phone for the job, the Samsung Galaxy S6 with its spacious screen and quick-charge adapter. We’re thrilled to use this TIFF 40/TIFF ’15 and most of our blogging and Social Media will be done through this amazing Smartphone! More here.
But most of all you, thank you Willionaire$ for your making us a part of your day these past six years! We are grateful and appreciative!
Now for a bit of fun, we’re giving one v. English Prize Pack including every flavour of Tyrrells Hand Crafted English Crisps, plus copies of LAMBERT & STAMP and OUTLANDER (Season 1, Volumes 1&2 on DVD)! To enter to win, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will on Facebook!
Be following on Social Media:
Instagram: @MRWILLWONG
Twitter: @MRWILLW
Facebook: MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK
(Photo credit: Samsung Canada, Nikon Canada, Ford Canada, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Canada, H&M Canada, Tyrrells, Hotel Novotel Downtown Centre)
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com