Some of the loudest buzz at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival has been about the high quality of this year’s Canadian programs. That kind of buzz is music to the ears of The First Weekend Club, whose mandate is to support Canadian films by raising awareness and rallying to get Canadians in seats for our own movies.

For the second year in a row, The First Weekend Club hosted its Canadian Film Lounge in the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. Along with offering a cozy space to take a break from the festival, the lounge offered its guests goodies, from various Canadian companies like all-natural beauty product maker Metamorphosis, the all natural chocolates from My Therapy Bar and stuff from the clothiers Anywhere But Here.

Today, business at the lounge has been fairly steady. A number of directors, producers, actors and other film professionals have been through to grab a drink, eat some gourmet candy, talk shop, and if time permitted, get some beautifying at the onsite salon. Today’s special guest, Hard Core Logo II star Callum Keith Rennie came for a beer and a gift bag, but opted to forgo a stop at the salon.

But most importantly, people were talking about Canadian films, what they had seen, and what they were planning to see. “It feels like there’s a higher quality of films [this year] and there’s not a lot of filler, said Katherine Brodsky, Director of Public Relations for the First Weekend Club.

Next, The First Weekend Club will be at the Vancouver International and Whistler Film Festivals. They’ll be scouting the Canadian films at both fests and making their list of releases that they will throw the full weight of their support behind in the coming year.

To learn more go to The First Weekend Club’s website.