t’s everybody’s favourite time of the year: time to spot some celebrities. As September rolls along, Toronto is transformed into Hollywood as clubs are turned into invite only ‘gala’ afterparties and red carpets are draped in front of movie theatres. Some big names will be gracing the city with their presence this year, and for some their appearances themselves are more than likely to overshadow the movies that they are there to promote.

Such is likely the case for everyone’s favourite tabloid star Brad Pitt. Officially, he’ll be in Toronto to push The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, but really the main attraction will be Brad himself. He’s really in his element on a red carpet, as anyone who’s ever read the National Inquirer could tell you, or as his daughter Shiloh might tell you if she could talk. No word yet if Angelina will be there, but I’m beginning to forget what they look like individually.

Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal know how it feels to be paparazzi fodder. The two have been romantically linked ever since Witherspoon’s split with former heartthrob Ryan Phillipe. They’ll be promoting their big-ticket film Rendition, a thriller that takes on the controversial CIA practice of extraordinary rendition. This year’s Festival will be full of socially conscious films and socially conscious celebrities.

One of the most globally and environmentally aware (some might say smug) celebrities is George Clooney. He’ll be on hand for the premier of his new film, Michael Clayton. If his money is where is mouth is, perhaps we’ll see a hybrid car gracing the red carpet for his big entrance. Otherwise, maybe a hybrid stretch limo or a hybrid private jet.

Don Cheadle will be fighting the good fight in Toronto. He’ll be around to promote Darfur Now, a documentary he produced about the current African genocide. He’ll also take part in a Mavericks discussion of the film. That might be worth checking out if you want some star interaction that goes beyond standing outside Sassafraz.