by Larry Richman
July 27, 2008 6:34 PM

I've attended 29 film festivals since the start of 2006, but none as prestigious or breathtaking in scope than the Toronto International Film Festival. At the last two festivals combined I saw over 50 films there, and many of my Top Picks from all festivals over the past couple of years (of over 300 films in total) came out of those lineups.

This year's festival runs from September 4-13 and is considered the premiere film festival in the Western Hemisphere, second in the world only to Cannes. Many films have their World or North American Premieres there.

The complete film list will be revealed on August 19. In the meantime, the following three sections have been announced in their entirety:

Midnight Madness

Sprockets Family Zone

Wavelengths

Other titles have been rolled out in various press releases over the past couple of months:

2008 Festival To Open With World Premiere Of Paul Gross’s Passchendaele

TIFF Brings Home Best Of The Festival Circuit For Toronto Audiences

TIFF Announces High Profile Special Presentations From Around The World

TIFF Adds International Titles To Masters And Contemporary World Cinema

Gala And Special Presentations Added To The Festival Lineup

Canadian Titles Announced In Contemporary World Cinema

New Works By Homegrown Talent Are Celebrated In Canada First!

Edgy Canadian Films And Documentaries Announced To Screen In Vanguard And Real To Reel

Canadian Favourites Return With Gala And Special Presentations

Premieres From United Kingdom, France And Usa Among Titles Added To TIFF08 Gala And Special Presentations Lineup