I love to see my necklaces swan off to parties, even if it’s without me. This rope of white baroque pearls hit the Vancouver International Film Festival last week on the long and lovely neck of Laine Slater, VIFF’s marketing director.

Laine’s husband Charles Campbell got a snap of them at the opening night gala, where I heard they all had too much fun.

VIFF kicked off with the Canadian premiere of Nebraska, the latest movie by Oscar winner Alexander Payne, who did Sideways. It’s getting great reviews, and I’m hoping to catch it before the festival closes Oct. 11.

Every year I look at the wealth of films you’ll never get to see in the local multiplex, and think, “Maybe I should just skip off work and spend two weeks at the movies?” Ah well, we can all dream. Here’s the program.