There was a point during the screening of Lymelife at the Toronto International Film Festival last night when I looked at Derick Martini (the film's director who happened to be sitting next to me) and saw a look in his eyes that seemed to say, "I made that, and people like it." That look has been one of the highlights of this year's festival for me.

We tend to forget too often — as press or as the movie-watching public — that for many filmmakers, showing at TIFF is not just something they have to do in order to get a distribution deal. For many filmmakers, the festival gives them an opportunity to see and understand the impact that their films have on people from around the world.

Okay, that's enough sentimentality from me for today. (And if you haven't seen Lymelife yet, check out one of its final two screenings. It's a gem.)

Looking for some more information about the festival today? Here are a few other TIFF headlines from around the web:

• Toronto Ringing Its Bell (Variety)
• Acquisitions Slow at Toronto Fest (THR)
• Toronto talks Oscar, but do movie fans listen? (Reuters)
• (Name of movie here) Rocks! (MJS)
• Midway Through the Toronto Film Fest, and Things are Looking Bleak (VV)

The stars are out in full force in Toronto. If you're deciding to skip the films and check out the celebs, here's a list of who's expecting to be arriving in town today:

• Rachel McAdams
• Vincent Cassel
• Tim Robbins
• Michael Pena

Finally, if you're looking to catch a screening some time today, here are three films that have been getting some good buzz but might have slipped under your radar. If you do decide to check any of them out, let us know what you think of them!

• Sugar: Young boys in the Dominican Republic grow up wanting to baseball players too.
• Kabuli Kid: Would you leave your kid in a cab in Kabul? In this movie, someone does.
• Tears for Sale: Witchcraft, intrigue, and superstition in a dark, erotic, and magical comedy.

Happy festivaling! Keep checking blogTO over the next few days for continuous coverage of the Toronto International Film Festival.

(Photo: Still from Sugar.)