Reviews are in! The IMDb Cocktail Party at TIFF made the list for one of the hottest parties at the festival.
Overlooking a gorgeous waterfront view of Toronto, the exclusive celebration of filmmakers took place at KŌST in the Bisha Hotel. The action was worthy of screen time and all the awards that come with such glorious sightings.
TORONTO, ONTARIO – SEPTEMBER 14: (L-R) Col Needham, Founder and Exec. Chairman, IMDb, Neel Ketkar, GM, IMDbPro, guests, Nikki Santoro, CEO, IMDb, Katharyn Howe, and guests attend the IMDb Celebration of Filmmakers in Toronto on September 14, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for IMDb)
Extraordinary filmmakers, industry luminaries and thought leaders were on the scene at the invite-only bash that wonderfully honored Andrew Haigh (A Long Winter), Andrew Rhymer (All That She Wants), Kat Sandler (YAGA), and Scarlett Bermingham (All That She Wants). The private event also marked IMDb’s deepening collaboration with Canadian industry guilds, and the recent debut of the site’s Digital Creator profession.
TORONTO, ONTARIO – SEPTEMBER 14: (L-R) Guests, Neel Ketkar, GM, IMDbPro, guest, Nikki Santoro, CEO, IMDb, Col Needham, Founder and Exec. Chairman, IMDb, guests and Katharyn Howe attend the IMDb Celebration of Filmmakers in Toronto on September 14, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for IMDb)
Guests at the cocktail reception included IMDb CEO Nikki Santoro, IMDb Founder and Executive Chair Col Needham; Guests of Honor Andrew Haigh (A Long Winter), Andrew Rhymer (All That She Wants), Clark Backo (YAGA), Fred Hechinger (A Long Winter), Kat Sandler (YAGA), Noah Reid (YAGA), and Scarlett Bermingham (All That She Wants); writer Alexandra Pechman, producer Carolyn Newman, producer Catherine Keane, producer Damon D’Oliveira, actor Demet Özdemir, director Fawzia Mirza, actor Kaan Yıldırım, industry consultant Keri Putnam, producer Leopold Hughes, filmmaker Louise Bagnall, producer Mackenzie Donaldson, director Małgorzata Szumowska, cinematographer Michał Englert, actor Noah Segan, producer Pancho Mansfield, cinematographer Rachel Morrison, actor Sarp Bozkurt, actor Watson Rose, actor Will Price; Digital Creators including Aicha Bastien-N’Diaye, Alex Nikolajev, April Reyes, Aryaan Kanji, Ashley Hufford, Azis Celestino, Becca Rhodes, Breonna Stephens, Bridget Darcey, Brigitte Truong, Cameron Kozak, Daniel Baptista, Daniela Manzano, Dawn Yang, Eagle Blackbird, Ella Neal, Eric de Montigny, Jennah Blau, Jocelyn Yates, Julie Nolke, Liz Duff, Mahima Dutt, Maysa Maleek, Myah Elliott, Nathalie Restoule, Nick Palmai, Nicky Reardon, Reangsei Phos, Richardo Acosta, Shahbaz Siddiqui, Spencer West, Tofunmi Oladapo, Tope Babalola, Violet Ferguson, Yasin Muhammad, and Yuvi Randhawa; and many more.
TORONTO, ONTARIO – SEPTEMBER 14: A view of atmosphere is seen during the IMDb Celebration of Filmmakers in Toronto on September 14, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for IMDb)
