For the 14th year, The Hollywood Reporter had its cameras out at the Toronto International Film Festival. The paper’s team of editors, photographers and videographers ran an invitation-only studio at the 1 Hotel Toronto, capturing A-list talent and creatives from the festival’s buzziest films. Naomi Watts, Jon Hamm, Ayo Edebiri, Mahershala Ali, Michelle Yeoh, Gary Oldman, Indie Navarette, Helen Mirren, Javier Bardem, Chase Infiniti, Seth Rogen and Lily-Rose Depp all stopped through.
Sponsorship Details
Canada Goose, which calls itself the (un)official jacket of film crews everywhere, sponsored the studio. The brand’s message is that crews take their work to remote places and moments that form stories for the big screen, and the conditions they endure are as challenging as the work itself. The company has supported on- and off-screen roles across some of the planet’s most extreme locations, enabling exploration of all kinds, from set to screen.
The Podcast Event That Closed the Weekend
To cap off the weekend, THR recorded a live episode of Scott Feinberg’s flagship podcast, Awards Chatter, with Penélope Cruz. Cruz premiered two films at the festival, La Bola Negra and Bunker. She also starred in Olivia Wilde’s Sundance darling and box office smash, The Invite.
Cruz appeared at a live taping held at Casa Madera at 1 Hotel Toronto, where she spoke about her life, career and the acclaimed performances she delivered in three films over the past year. The full podcast recording is set to release in the coming days across all major streaming platforms. The event was part of a series of special live sessions recorded at film festivals worldwide, which previously included conversations with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Sandra Hüller at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.
The Invitation-Only Format
The studio was invitation-only, and it drew talent from across the festival’s most buzzed-about films. THR’s team documented the moments with exclusive interviews, photography, reviews and invite-only events. The paper also offered live social coverage for anyone who could not make it to Canada.
Why This Year’s Setup Stands Out
The final act of the weekend belonged to Cruz, whose live recording wrapped things up with real force. She reflected on her banner year, which spanned three films, and the podcast recording will appear on all major streaming platforms.
The Verdict on THR’s TIFF Operation
A machine that has operated for 14 years ran again this year, with a portrait studio, a video lounge and a live podcast recording among its parts. Admission to the studio came only by invitation.
The high point comes from Cruz’s live recording with Feinberg, and the complete podcast recording appears across all major streaming platforms.
Toronto’s film festival keeps running until Sept. 20, and THR’s coverage remains on site throughout, covering the event across all its platforms.
“As film crews push their craft to the edges of the world — into the places, spaces, and moments that shape stories for the big screen — the conditions they work in are as demanding as the work itself.”
Key Facts Box
- 14th year running at TIFF
- Studio presented by Canada Goose
- Live Awards Chatter recording with Penélope Cruz
- Cruz premiered La Bola Negra and Bunker
- Cruz also appeared in The Invite, directed by Olivia Wilde
- Full podcast recording releases on all major streaming platforms
- Live tapings previously included Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Sandra Hüller at Cannes
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