Movie buffs braved the rain and overnight cold to line up for a chance to view the films featured at this year's Toronto International Film Festival.

Tickets for the 32nd annual film fest, which kicks off Thursday, went on sale at 7 a.m. at various locations around Toronto including festival box offices on College Street and at Roy Thompson Hall on King Street West.

Dozens lined Bloor Street West to ensure they got coveted tickets to some of the 349 films showcased this year.

The lineup snaked around the building outside the Manulife Centre to Balmuto Street as hopeful ticket buyers poured over their official TIFF festival guides

"I've been here as early as 3 a.m. and there have been lineups this long," one ticket seeker told CTV News on Wednesday.

Thousands of tourists and celebrities flock to Toronto every year for the festival, helping to bring in an estimated $60 million for the city.

TIFF is considered the second most important film festival in the world for the industry, second only to Cannes Film Festival in France.

Hot spots like Yorkville will be crawling with paparazzi and fans hoping to catch a glimpse of such stars as Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, George Clooney and Reese Witherspoon.

Executive chef at the Four Seasons Hotel, Robert Bartley, told CTV News that celebrities have some unusual demands that keep staff on their toes during the festival.

"We've had people say they want to convert their balcony into a sand box, we've had requests for filet mingnon with b�arnaise sauce but it's for their pets. Absolutely crazy, but we love it," Bartley said.

Local resident Jaime Symister told CTV News that the 10-day fest is one of the most exciting times of the year.

"It really makes Toronto feel a whole lot more alive and crazy to honour film in this kind of way. I think it's our duty to get out there and check out some different films that we wouldn't see in the regular mainstream theatres," Symister said on Wednesday.

For some ticket buyers, the wait was well worth it; a true testament to the old adage that there's no business like show business.

"We're excited -- we have no money left -- but we're very happy," one movie buff told CTV News.

Tickets are still available for some screenings and can be purchased online, by phone at 416-968-FILM or 1-877-968-FILM or at the TIFF Box Office located at the Manulife Centre on Bloor Street West.