Maple Leaf Square to host Toronto International Film Festival opening night party

TORONTO, Aug. 20, 2012 /CNW/ - Maple Leaf Square will proudly host the 2012 TIFF Opening Night Party as part of the 37^th annual Toronto International Film Festival®.  This marks the first time the sports and entertainment destination will play host to a signature event for the leading public film festival in the world that screens more than 300 films from close to 60 countries.

Maple Leaf Square's restaurants, Real Sports Bar & Grill and e11even will form the backdrop for this star-studded event that takes place September 6, 2012 and will include hundreds of actors, producers, directors and movie buffs who will descend upon Toronto for the internationally-renowned 11-day film festival.

"We're excited to play opening night host to one of the most highly anticipated entertainment events in the world," said Robert Hunter, Executive Vice President, Venues & Entertainment, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE). "Maple Leaf Square was developed to be a destination that supports promoting Toronto as a world-class city, and with events like the Festival that are the launching point for the best of international, Hollywood and Canadian cinema, it continues to reinforce that our city is a great place to live and visit."

It was also announced that Maple Leaf Square will play host to the Opening Night Party for the 2013 Festival.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with MLSE for our Opening Night Party at Maple Leaf Square," said Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director, Toronto International Film Festival.  "Our opening night film, LOOPER is a hip, -stylized time-travel action film and we couldn't think of a better party venue that will support this film and set the tone perfectly."

Opened in 2010 and located at the corner of York Street and Bremner Boulevard, Maple Leaf Square has quickly grown into a popular entertainment and dining destination in Downtown Toronto for both Torontonians and visitors alike.

As the anchor property for Maple Leaf Square, Real Sports Bar & Grill is a 25,000 square foot restaurant that is home to the largest indoor High-Definition Screen in a North American restaurant. The restaurant has 199 High-Definition TV screens, capacity for 1,000 patrons on two levels, live audio and video streaming. Real Sports Bar & Grill has previously played host to Major League Soccer's 2010 MLS Cup Championship Party and the MLSE Team Up Foundation's Players Gala.

Patrons have come to recognize e11even, Maple Leaf Square's signature restaurant, for its unsurpassed dining experience with exceptional cuisine, warm hospitality and great service. e11even's unique menu interpretation of North American classics has become a big hit with the palates of discerning diners.

The design for both Real Sports Bar & Grill and e11even were inspired by the Rockwell Group from New York, which is no stranger to the entertainment and movie industry. The Rockwell Group is recognized for designing the 81^st and 82^nd Annual Academy Awards stage at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

The 2012 Toronto International Film Festival runs from Thursday, September 6 to Sunday, September 16, 2012 and will feature Rian Johnson's sci-fi thriller LOOPER starring Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

For more information, visit mapleleafsquare.com or tiff.net

SOURCE: Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd.

Rajani Kamath, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, [phone]
Jamie Deans, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, [phone]