According to 680 News, the Toronto Tourism brought up TV-host Jimmy Kimmel and his side kick, Guillermo, to make a number of live reports from the red carpet during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) which takes place this week from September 12 – 15.
Last year TIFF showcased “339 films from 59 countries were screened at 32 screens in downtown Toronto venues. In the last few years, total attendance at TIFF has exceeded 260,000, with 287,000 public and industry admissions in 2009, and a further 239,000 from the free programming scheduled at Yonge-Dundas Square” (source: Wikipedia) so needless to say, it is a big deal.
According to Vice President of Communications for Tourism Toronto, Andrew Weir, 1.8 million fans will get to see Toronto every night. It will be interesting to see if they can convert the cost to bring up Kimmel into increased visitors to Toronto.