Several celebrities note their fondness for Winnipeg during Toronto film fest

TORONTO - Several celebrities at this year's Toronto International Film Festival seem to have warmed up to Winnipeg.

References to the Manitoba capital popped up several times during the 10-day movie-marathon.

In the festival's opening film, Davis Guggenheim's "From the Sky Down," Bono and co. were seen hobnobbing with supporters on Winnipeg streets. The Irish supergroup also used one of the city's downtown theatres to share their memories of making their 1991 album, "Achtung Baby."

In another excellent festival documentary, "Paul Williams: Still Alive," it's revealed that the '70s icon has always been warmly embraced in Winnipeg. While the film reveals that many music-lovers have forgotten about the "Rainbow Connection" hitmaker, fans in the Prairie city are shown giving him a warm welcome.

"Goon" stars Alison Pill and Jay Baruchel, meanwhile, fondly recalled falling in love while shooting the hockey comedy during a frigid winter in the 'Peg.

Their co-star, Seann William Scott had praise for the women of the city, noting that "girls dress better in Winnipeg" than in his nearby home state of Minnesota.

"If I'm in Vancouver, you've always gotta hit one of those crazy underground clubs. You have to see what the hip kids are doing these days. And Toronto, I love going to Little Italy. In Winnipeg, it's meeting Winnipeg chicks."

The Toronto International Film Festival festival wraps Sunday.