The Toronto International Film Festival is theoretically the best time a reporter can have. Handfuls of films are screening at any given moment, Hollywood's biggest stars are on hand and the city is taken over by a party scene that would even impress Paris Hilton.

When it comes time to number crunch the ratio of hours in a day to the coverable events, well, that's when the fear sets in. TIFF now rivals festivals like Cannes and Sundance as one of the most important film events on the planet, so, you know, no pressure, just have fun.

DAY 1

Mark Wigmore gingerly picks through some sashimi at the 'Young People F***ing' party at Wicked. (All photos by Mark Wigmore)

9:35pm - Opening night began at a swingers bar. Did I want to be at a swingers bar? My girlfriend isn't crazy about it.

Queen West's Wicked was the host venue for 'Young People F***ing.' While I picked through an array of sashimi off a bikini-clad starlet's stomach, I scanned the room. How did I end up here? Nude women were dancing in cages and aged journos huddled together conversing, seldom taking their eyes off the main event. In one corner, a nude woman received a spray-on tan. This was an interesting place to be, but the cast only made a brief appearance. Young filmmaker and first time director Martin Gero would, however, be found at later events to explain the dirty title of his compelling flick.

10:38pm - I have very few, if any, friends with mansions in Rosedale. Parking my humble Suzuki in front of a palace was half the thrill of the 'Fugitive Pieces' party. But when invited to a film fest house party in Toronto's uber-rich neighbourhood, I want to be promised stars! Allow me to share a steak tartare with producer Robert Lantos or actor Stephen Dillane, but don't give me 50 party dresses and a lowly crab cake.

This giant late-evening garden party was the setting for Jeremy Podeswa's well-crafted wartime saga that follows the path of a boy who is rescued from the Nazis in Poland and is raised in Greece. From the ornately-lit swimming pool to the charming children welcoming you in, the gathering had the right intent, but the actors were nowhere to be seen. It turned out they were at the Gardiner Museum!

12:15am - The Liberty Grand on the CNE grounds was once again the venue given the task of creating a magical experience for hundreds of stargazers and a handful of celebs for TIFF's opening night gala party. Feeling like the biggest wedding you have ever been to, this mostly outdoor congregation danced, chatted, ate and drank, but it was hard to get a fix on how this party was shaping up. After watching a good friend completely bail and roll down a set of carpeted stairs, I downed a lamb burger and hoped for a better time at the next night's schmoozes.

DAY 2

Tonya Lee Williams and Maestro Fresh Wes Williams pose on the red carpet of the Schmooze party.

9pm - Dressed in something far too warm for 30 degree weather, I was sweating a lot tonight. By the time I reached City TV/CTV/ETalk/CHUM building - whatever that place is now - for the 2007 Schmooze party, I was ready for some star power.

Standing besides Rachel Noonen from the Canadian Film Centre, I cased out the glitzed-up Queen West parking lot and proceeded to treat myself to some gourmet onion rings. The newly installed outdoor chandeliers hovered over an expanding crowd as I hit up the red carpet. I interviewed 'Young People F***ing' director Martin Gero whose film added solid Canadian chat factor to the festival.

While its provocative title suggests a porn-heavy jaunt, 'F***ing' is really a romantic comedy that dissects a variety of relationships that many of us will recognize. I also caught up with Maestro Fresh Wes Williams and Tonya Lee Williams from 'Poor Boys Game,' who were well rehearsed interviewees but charming nonetheless. Williams was elated to work in the multi-generational Afro-Canadian region of Halifax, and Tonya Lee Williams looked stunning in black and was clearly thrilled to work alongside Danny Glover in the film (she plays his wife).

10:46pm - My PROUD FM co-host Shaun Proulx met me at the entrance to the Holt Renfrew party and we strutted up the red carpet into the Sienna Miller event. Sienna and her sister Savannah were in early to celebrate their new clothing line along with 'The Hour's' George Stroumboulopoulos.

This year's Holts party had a circus theme with the clowns and strong men to prove it. This was a party! The mood quickly became alarming as security circulated our every move and beaming fluorescent lights scraped at my tired retinas - the Gargoyles had come alive and were wiping off the dripping excess of the partying class. Quick, the Door!

DAY 3

11pm - Tonight Hilary Duff performed for just over an hour at the Air Canada Centre and then high-tailed it over to This is London to host a 'Backstage' party. Duff arrived shortly before me at 10:30pm and I heard someone say that baseball's Jose Conseco was smoking a cigar somewhere on the multi-floored venue - an odd pairing, if I do say so myself.

TIL's DJ may have been the highlight of the event as mash-ups of music from the 60s through to today were seamlessly mixed throughout the night (no poppy Duff ditties within earshot!) And say what you will about TIFF goers, at least the posers, hosers and nosers know how to party. Heck, I too would be dancing with my clothes off and drinking ten dollar tins of Heineken if I had to wait 90 minutes to get into a measly party.

DAY 4

Leelee Sobieski chats at the Canadian Film Centre event.

12:42PM - Sunday was break day for me. Screenings, parties and a wide array of interviews - taped, edited and put to bed - had me up against the ropes. I needed a holiday from this holiday.

I walked up Bayview to the Canadian Film Centre grounds to find a friendly crowd. Noted Toronto aristocrat E.P. Taylor was the former owner of the residence that tonight was a bustling hub of activity long after its 3pm end-time. The beautiful, semi-hidden acreage that houses vintage stone buildings, roaming fields and even an orchard, was redesigned to include bars, gourmet cold soup stations, a silent auction and even a pig rotating on a spit. Stars like Bruce MacDonald, Leelee Sobieski and Norman Jewison himself were on hand to celebrate CFC's accomplishments.

After a cupcake and a martini, I was through - no more parties, no more films, no more writing or interviews - until Day 5, that is.

DAY 5

8:30pm - Two parties were held a block away from each other this evening. I am not sure what the Corner House Restaurant on Davenport was celebrating for the festival, but the homey venue was a delight for party goers. This French countryside-inspired space is a series of private rooms dressed in traditional decor - it's a unique space for a TIFF party.

A lit-up Casa Loma houses 'In the Vallery of Elah' stars and staff.

9: 46pm - Up the hill, ET Canada began a four-night reign at Casa Loma. While I waited on the red carpet outside with AOL blogger Hannah Sung, the stars and production staff of 'In the Valley of Elah,' including Canada's favorite Hollywood son, director Paul Haggis, dined in the castle's large ballroom. I ran into the Oscar winning filmmaker over gin and tonics (with just a hint of cranberry) and was delighted at how friendly he was, not only to me, but to his peers and fans. His film will no doubt be another Oscar contender for Haggis who took a surprise Best Picture win in 2006 for Crash.

DAY 6

9:12pm - A funky party complete with band, VIP bar, Guitar Hero displays,and a good cross section of talent arrived at the Gladstone Hotel tonight for the Canadian Filmmakers party. Commercial actor Christian Potenza - the toothpaste guy in the Listerine ads - is a good example of the kind of people who were on hand. Hey, it's Canada! The Gladstone was all too happy to show off its renovated interior, which is surely a move to capitalize on traffic from the popular Drake Hotel down the street.

DAY 10

Packing up my recording equipment, camera and hauling a bunch of laundry to the dry cleaners, TIFF is officially over for me. My final party was at Casa Loma for a nother ET Canada party where a few stars are still lingering around, including Marcia Gay Harden and Kevin Bacon. After over a week of star-studded partying, premieres, and excessive exhaustion, I think we can all go home.

See you next year.