Once a year, the biggest names in Hollywood travel to Toronto for 10 days of wining, dining, schmoozing and red carpets.
Of course, there are also movies.
The Toronto International Film Festival kicks off Thursday, Sept. 6 and lasts until Sunday, Sept. 16.
What was once a local celebration of Canadian filmmaking has since exploded into a globally-recognized arts event with plenty of glitzy parties, premieres and celebrity sightings.
For Torontonians, TIFF can be a strange two-week affair, when grabbing a coffee may just include a run-in with George Clooney.
For those hoping to boost their chances of run-ins with the stars, here鈥檚 a handy guide.
Lady Gaga
Why she鈥檚 at TIFF: 鈥淎 Star is Born鈥�
While visiting Toronto in 2014 for her artRave Tour, Gaga took a break to go shopping at Divine Decadence, a boutique in Yorkville. She later , calling it 鈥淭HE GREATEST SHOPPING EXPERIENCE OF ALL TIME.鈥� If it was really that great, maybe she鈥檒l make a second trip.
Jake Gyllenhaal
Why he鈥檚 at TIFF: 鈥淲颈濒诲濒颈蹿别鈥�
Is there a corner of Toronto where Jake Gyllenhaal hasn鈥檛 been spotted? Over the years, the 鈥淒onnie Darko鈥� actor has been seen eating sushi in the St. Lawrence Market, grabbing dinner at Playa Cabana in the Annex, enjoying a walk through Summerhill, and eating out with Hugh Jackman at Momofuku Daisho.
The best bet for spotting Gyllenhaal is Terroni on Queen Street West, where he鈥檚 gone for dinner numerous times.
Julia Roberts
Why she鈥檚 at TIFF: 鈥淏en is Back鈥�
Much like Jake Gyllenhaal, Julia Roberts has made her rounds. She鈥檚 been spotted (again, like Gyllenhaal) dining at Terroni, snacking on pastries at Nadege in Trinity Bellwoods and checking out Type Books on Queen Street West.
Bradley Cooper
Why he鈥檚 at TIFF: 鈥淎 Star is Born鈥�
Unlike some celebrities who stick to their own after-parties, Cooper has been known to branch out. In 2012, he hung out at the rooftop of the Thompson to celebrate 鈥淵ellow鈥� by Nick Cassavetes. Cooper has also been seen at the Spoke Club, a private members鈥� club on King.
Natalie Portman
Why she鈥檚 at TIFF: 鈥淭he Death and Life of John F. Donovan鈥� and "Vox Lux"
Portman is a regular festival attendee and has been spotted at parties at Luma and Byblos as well as dining at Yorkville鈥檚 Sotto Sotto.
Kiera Knightley
Why she鈥檚 at TIFF: 鈥淐辞濒别迟迟别鈥�
There are a few rare places stars can find refuge from paparazzi in Toronto. One of those places is the rooftop at the Soho House, a private members club, where Knightley has been seen unwinding in peace. The venue often hosts TIFF after-parties, but the rooftop is often reserved for members 鈥� so good luck.
Judi Dench
Why she鈥檚 at TIFF: 鈥凌别诲鈥�
Judi Dench is also known to hang around Soho House. Last year, she enjoyed ice cream and champagne at the venue after the 鈥淰ictoria and Abdul鈥� premiere.
Hilary Swank
Why she鈥檚 at TIFF: 鈥淲hat They Had鈥�
Looking to spot the 鈥淢illion Dollar Baby鈥� star? You may want to consider a trip to Guelph, Ont., about an hour鈥檚 drive west of Toronto. According to local reports, she was spotted in the town in 2016 snapping photos with locals at a gym and a restaurant. For those without a car, Swank is apparently obsessed with shopping at Roots, according to an interview with CTV in 2010.
Susan Sarandon
Why she鈥檚 at TIFF: 鈥淰iper Club鈥�
If you like ping pong, you鈥檙e almost guaranteed to see Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon at SPiN Toronto, which she co-owns.
Nicole Kidman
Why she鈥檚 at TIFF: 鈥凄别蝉迟谤辞测别谤鈥�
Kidman is starring alongside Canadian Tatiana Maslany in the gritty detective drama 鈥淒estroyer.鈥� Last year, Kidman was spotted winding down at Brassaii, a Mediterranean-style restaurant on King.
Interactive map to the stars
