I learned so much from Anna Petras while doing this interview.
Far from being just places for parties artsy elite's to waste tax payers money (boo Stephen Harper - so dumb) they are places for parties so that people can sell films. A meeting place for building relationships. Kind of like a golf course, but way more loud.
Here is some lingo:
TIFF - Toronto International Film Festival
AFF - Atlantic International Film Festival
VIFF - Vancouvever International Film Festival
SJIWFF - St. John's International Women's Film Festival
Market - where your try and sell your film