"Precious" Moments at the Toronto International Film Festival

Oprah & Tyler Perry


Robert DeNiro


Mary J Blige


Mariah Carey


Sherri Shepherd


Robin Thicke and Paula Patton


Stargazers spent hours waiting to see if they'd catch a glimpse Oprah Winfrey at the premiere of "Precious" which she's produced with Actor/Playwright, Tyler Perry. The highly-anticipated film screened at the Roy Thompson Hall on Sunday evening as part of the Toronto International Film Festival.

The movie, adapted from the novel "Push" written by Author/Poet, Sapphire, follows the life of a teenager named Clarice "Precious" Jones who has two children by her own father and the abuse she suffers at the hands of her mother.

Mariah Carey, The View host, Sherri Shepherd, Paula Patton and newcomer Gabourey Sibide appear in the film and attended the gala.

Also, spotted at the gala were Actor Robert DeNiro, the film's Director, Lee Daniels, Singer Robin Thicke (married to Paula Patton)and R&B Singer, Mary J Blige who graciously took the time to greet her fans. Author and Poet, Sapphire, who wrote "Push," Oprah Winfrey, her friend Gayle King and Tyler Perry also attended and walked the red carpet.

The film is scheduled to be released in November 2009.

More clips at CAAllen1

Free Events @ The 2009 Toronto International Film Festival - Thurs Sept 10 - Sat Sept 19

Chris Rock and Nia Long discuss Chris' new documentary, "Good Hair" at the Muvico Theatre in Tampa, FL Aug 2009, Photo by Carol Allen


Toronto International Film Fest Free Events @ Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto, ON

Key Dates:
Thurs Sept 10 @ 9:00pm
Opening Night Concert:
The TIFF YDS Spotlight features a concert by DJ Champion and is hosted by Measha Brueggergosman the Canadian soprano

YONGE DUNDAS SQUARE, Toronto (45 minutes)

Saturday, Sept. 12
12:00PM - TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: The Harder They Come
◦Preceded by shorts: Getting Started, Divine Brown at The Rex and Bleach
2:00PM - tiff.kids Zone: offering fun for children of all ages, including face-painting, green-screen activities and more
4:00PM - Precious Showcase ft. Sapphire

Closing Night: Saturday, Sept. 19
12:00PM - TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: Truth Or Dare
◦Preceded by shorts: Meet Gisele, Care Failure at 102.1 The Edge and Killer Babe
7:00PM - TIFF Live In Concert Film Series: World Premiere of Copyright Criminals
9:00PM - Festival Wrap Party presented in Association with Future Projections and hosted by Chuck D, featuring the infectious improvised audiovisual mashups of Eclectic Method. The renowned trio will thrill film and music lovers with a video remix set incorporating clips from the films included in Essential 100, the opening show of TIFF Bell Lightbox. With special guest Clyde Stubblefield.

*Schedule subject to change

Other notable Film Fest events: Please note these events are not free.

Sun Sept 13 - CBFF Cinema Noir Party @ Manyata Courtyard Cafe, 55 Avenue Road, Hazelton Lanes, Toronto, $40 (visit: http://www.cbff.ca for info

Sun Sept 13 - Screening of Chris Rock's Documentary, "Good Hair" @ Isabel Bader Theatre, 3:45pm

Note: "Good Hair" also screens on Tuesday September 15 02:30PM AMC 6 and
Saturday September 19 09:30AM SCOTIABANK THEATRE 3

Visit: http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/films/goodhair

Monday September 14 04:30PM, An Afternoon with Chris Rock @ ISABEL BADER THEATRE, 93 Charles Street West, Toronto

http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/films/afternoonwithchrisro

Sunday September 13 - Gala Screening of "Precious" @ 09:30PM ROY THOMSON HALL, King and Simcoe, Toronto

Starring Paula Patton, Mo'Nique, Mariah Carey, and Lenny Kravitz. Newcomer Gabourey Sidibe as Precious.

Second screening for "Precious" is Monday September 14 12:30PM WINTER GARDEN THEATRE, Toronto

Visit: http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/films/precious