So after last year’s “I’m not going-I’m going-I’m not going” ch-cha, it should go without saying that I cannot wait to dig into another autumn at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Well my wait appears to be almost over, as yesterday’s news of the day unveiled the film that will open the whole she-bang. Returning to somewhat of a custom, the festival opens with a Canadian film…and quite an appropriate film where this country found itself so untied around our national sport last winter.

SCORE: A HOCKEY MUSICAL is a film written and directed by Michael McGowan. It’s the story of a sheltered seventeen-year old boy (Noah Reid) is discovered by a talent scout (Stephen McHattie) and signed to play in a league, much to his parents chagrin (Marc Jordan & Olivia Newton-John). The film features music by Barenaked Ladies, Amy Sky and Hawksley Workman. It likewise features appearances by Workman, Nelly Furtado, Theo Fleury, Walter Gretzky, and George Stromboulopoulus.

Many of my American friends will likely never see this on a big screen – a pity given the fun on display in the film’s trailer…

TIFF 2010 runs from September 9th to the 19th