TORONTO: Toronto International Film Festival paid tribute to Joaquin Phoenix, Meryl Streep, filmmaker Taika Waititi and cinematographer Roger Deakins.

With the city teeming with stars in town for the festival, TIFF this year added a star-studded fundraising dinner that coincided with some of its most anticipated premieres. Streep stopped by just as her financial industry satire “The Laundromat” was screening. Phoenix’s “Joker” was simultaneously making its North American debut just blocks away.

Waititi, whose “Jojo Rabbit” premiered Sunday in Toronto, received the festival’s Ebert Director Award, named after the late film critic Roger Ebert. Deakins, who photographed “The Goldfinch” (also a Sunday premiere at TIFF) was honored for his life’s work. The French filmmaker Mati Diop (“Atlantics”) was given the Mary Pickford Award for an emerging, groundbreaking female talent. Jeff Skoll and David Linde’s production company Participant was celebrated with the festival’s award for social impact.

(Agencies)