By Greig Dymond, CBC News

Well, this is the day I've had circled since the festival schedule was announced. Over the next 12 hours, a mind-blowing roster of directors will showcase their latest wares at TIFF.

Clint Eastwood -- who keeps on ticking at 80 -- makes it back to the fest for the first time in 20 years for the gala presentation of Hereafter at the Elgin Theatre. The supernatural drama looks to be a major thematic departure for the director, who seems to collect Oscar nominations as easily as some of us collect Dirty Harry DVDs. Matt Damon stars -- the two worked together previously on Invictus.

Woody Allen's You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger has its TIFF premiere just before Eastwood's film, at the same theatre. I'm happy to report that this is vintage Woody, almost on the level of Crimes and Misdemeanors and Hannah and Her Sisters. It's got a stellar cast -- Anthony Hopkins, Naomi Watts, Josh Brolin, Freida Pinto -- and a wonderful script about romantic regret, longing, and being careful what you wish for. Hilarious and heart-breaking.

Danny Boyle's 127 Hours is generating lots of Oscar buzz; it's based on the real-life 2003 story of a hiker in Utah who had to cut off one of his arms after being trapped by a boulder. No doubt Boyle has fond memories of TIFF; two years ago, his Slumdog Millionaire started its unlikely march toward the Best Picture Oscar after receiving rapturous audience response here. His new film stars James Franco, who inspires undying devotion from the women in our office. (Truly, he's second only to Jon Hamm at TIFF 2010.) The screening is at the Ryerson Theatre.

Two huge Canadian films make their way here today as well: Barney's Version is the much-anticipated adaptation of Mordecai Richler's novel, and Bruce McDonald's Trigger features the late Tracy Wright in a powerful performance as a rock and roller struggling with her demons and a friendship with a former bandmate (played by Molly Parker).

Need more? Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman launches Jack Goes Boating, his feature directorial debut, and the legendary documentarian Errol Morris premieres his latest deconstruction of media weirdness, Tabloid.

And if you happen to be in downtown Toronto, there's a block party this afternoon to celebrate the new TIFF Bell Lightbox. K'Naan will be on hand, wavin' his flag (maybe).

Phew. If you aren't excited about any of this, we really need to revoke your membership card in the International Society of Film Nerds.

Back tomorrow.

You can follow Greig throughout #TIFF10 on Twitter at @cbcarts