Last night, the red carpet was rolled out at the corner of Bay and Bloor for the inaugural Birks Diamond Tribute to the Year’s Women in Film at Maison Birks. Although many were feeling exhausted from consecutive late nights at TIFF, guests were all smiles as we took a moment to celebrate brilliant homegrown talent. Beyond the directors and actresses being honoured, the entire guest list was packed with influential movers and shakers of the Canadian film industry.

Of the 10 Canadian women honoured this year, five were in attendance to take the stage and be recognized for their outstanding achievements including directors Louise Archambault, Deepa Mehta, Alanis Obomsawin, Chloe Robichaud, and actress Evelyne Brochu. The other five honourees were director Sarah Polley and actresses Genevieve Bujold, Sarah Gadon, Jessica Pare, and Alison Pill.

Notable guests included director Paul Haggis, comedian Scott Thompson, photographer Ed Burtynsky, and dozens of Canadian actresses we love including Natalie Brown, Tara Spencer-Nairn, Carrie-Lynn Neales, Amanda Brugel, Katie Boland, and the entire cast of The Animal Project, who were justifiably giddy about their TIFF premiere just following the event.

It wasn’t just the glittery diamonds that sparkled; the room was beaming with positivity and pride.