Do the Daniel

There have been many, and I mean many, moments and mistakes I have made publicly over the course of my career. As is often the case, without role models that didn’t in some way dissapoint me, that I pushed away, or worst of all abandon me in the end, it seems the only way out from the fires I continue to light is to walk through them.

If you’ve been following along on social media with me over the last seven-ish months since moving home to Toronto, you will have noticed that there’s been a lot more content focusing on local restaurants. I love supporting small businesses, and showcasing them on my social media to help you be in the know.

January 1st is a special day, and has been for many years. It was the date in 2013 when I launched dothedaniel.com and set down a path that would take me around the world, working with some of the best brands, all the while sharing it with some of my favourite people. After thirteen incredible years, I made the decision that it was time for an evolution of sorts.

While the summer and September are always the busiest times of year for me in Toronto, I have to be honest, that it is the month of October that always makes me the happiest. Of course I have to admit that my birthday plays a large part in that, but there’s just something quite magical about the month where leaves change colours, the sweaters come out, and I find myself smiling at the beauty all around me.

With October, and my birthday, around the corner I found myself scrolling through my phone recently and realized that this recent season of all things Toronto International Film Festival was my favourite by far. From fabulous red carpets and screenings, to intimate VIP events like the one celebrating The Glenrothan that I attended as a special guest of Moët Hennessy, I wanted to share some of my favourite moments with you all.

As many of you who follow along with me on social have been seeing, the TIFF season is (and has always been) one of the busiest times of year for me. Over the course of the last twelve years, I have had the honour and privilege to attend some pretty spectacular events amid it all, and I look back on each of them fondly. One of the most coveted invites to get, which I proudly got for the first time this year, is from Canadian Film Centre.

If you’ve been following along with me amid all things TIFF 2025 & #TIFF50 via social media, you’ll understand that celebrities and star studded events are some of my favourite parts of the excitement in between screenings. Over the years since I first started attending not just as a lover of film, but as media, I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying momentous experiences with the team at Moët & Chandon. With their help I have come to understand that TIFF is also so much more than just parties.

At we work our way towards the official kick off of The Toronto International Film Festival, the city is buzzing, and to be honest so am I. One of the best parts of the festival every year is the TIFF Street Festival which not only offers star watching and red carpets, but brand activations and lots of free experiences for those wanting to immerse themselves in the excitement.

With The Toronto International Film Festival about to kick off in the city, the buzz and excitement is palpable. With so many brands popping up at The King Street festivals, celebrities set to arrive any minute, red carpet, screenings, and so much more, I am going to be bringing you along with me to some of the coolest experiences of #TIFF50.

It’s that time of year again – The Toronto International Film Festival is back, and this year marks its 50th anniversary which is has the city buzzing with excitement! As I ramp up for a busy schedule with red carpets, screenings, events, gifting lounges and so much more, I want to share the details of some of the hottest events taking place this year so you have the inside scoop! Over the years since the pandemic, TIFF has been getting back to its glory, and this year at 50 years old, it...