TIFF is supposed to be about the films, but those in the know realize that the parties are just as fun (if not more so) than staring at the big screen. For 11 long nights, Toronto shakes off its staid reputation and lets its wild side shine through – and the fact that serving hours are extended to 4 a.m. during the film festival doesn't hurt.

Check out the ten glitzy bashes you're going to want to bribe a burly bouncer to get into. (And if you do make it past the velvet rope, can you sneak us in, too?)

Sept 9:

Opening Night Party (Liberty Grand, 25 British Columbia Rd.): Film enthusiasts will celebrate the official kickoff of the festival following the premiere of Score: A Hockey Musical with this bash at the Liberty Grand (which is preceded by a cocktail reception at Spice Route).

Sept 10:

Playboy's Good Life Party (Muzik, 15 Saskatchewan Rd.): While most TIFF events stick to their Yorkville or King W. boundaries, Exhibition Place gets in on the action with this party, hosted by Playmate and Girls Next Door star Bridget Marquardt and featuring a performance by Outkast's Big Boi. Rumour has it that Hugh Hefner might make an appearance as well.

Sept 11:

Hello! Canada Party (Royal Conservatory of Music, 273 Bloor St. W.): This star-studded affair called "HELLO! Hollywood – Public Faces, Private Lives" will feature a photo retrospective celebrating Hollywood's greatest stars in their most memorable roles, on and off camera.

Artists for Peace and Justice Party (Pears, 164 Avenue Rd.): A former Porsche dealership is the venue for TORO's After Dark parties. Guests expected at this annual fundraiser (which focuses on improving the lives of the children of Haiti) include Paul Haggis, James Franco and AnnaLynne McCord. Along with this star-studded charity bash, look for RED, a preview of the NY Times Canadian Photo Archive Exhibit curated by Caitlin Cronenberg, to be the venue's other hot ticket this week.

ET Canada Festival Central (148 Cumberland St.): ET Canada returns to its Yorkville rooftop location for multiple parties throughout the week. We're most pumped for Saturday's Dipdive Nights event, featuring Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am on the turntables, though we wouldn't turn down an invite to Sunday's Barney's Version after-party, either.

Sept 12:

Cinema Against AIDS (The Carlu, 444 Yonge St.): amfAR hosts this second annual black-tie gala, which will feature a cocktail reception, dinner, live auction and entertainment.

TIFF Block Party (Bell Lightbox, 330 King St. W.): Finally, a party that doesn't involve impersonating a VIP and/or offering up your first born to get in! No one will be turned away from TIFF's free block party celebrating the opening of the new Bell Lightbox complex. Partygoers will enjoy free admission to the building to check out the Essential Cinema exhibit and Atom Egoyan's 8½ Screens installation, while outside, guests can take in performances by Polaris Prize nominees Karkwa, The Sadies, Radio Radio and Fefe Dobson, along with a surprise music performance presented by George Stroumboulopoulos.

TBA:

Vanity Fair Party (The Thompson Hotel, 550 Wellington St.): This week's most coveted invite will get you into this Vanity Fair/Fox Searchlight Pictures/Belvedere Vodka bash. Not only are the stars of Black Swan, Conviction, 127 Hours and Never Let Me Go expected to make an appearance, it's taking place at Toronto's hottest new It spot, The Thompson.

Sept 14:

InStyle Party (Windsor Arms, 18 Saint Thomas St.): No other event is threatening to steal some of Vanity Fair's party thunder like the InStyle/Hollywood Foreign Press Association bash. The magazine's annual shindig always brings out the A-listers. In years past, attendees have included Eve, Clive Owen, Colin Firth and Keanu Reeves.

Sept 9-18:

It's a Tie! Drake Hotel or Nikki Beach Club: The Drake (1150 Queen W.) and Nikki Beach Club (C Lounge, 456 Wellington W.) are battling it out for the title of TIFF's hottest after-hours spot. Both venues will host film after-parties and club nights throughout the fest. We don't know which one we're looking forward to more: winding down from a long night in one of Nikki Beach's exclusive outdoor cabanas or catching Caribou's DJ set at the Drake on Sept. 17.