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“This is stupid poverty we're talking about. Every day, malaria claims thousands of lives that we didn't need to lose,” said an emphatic Matt Damon to an audience of more than 500 last night.

Together with Wyclef Jean, the actor returned for yet another One X One gala and were joined this year by performers John Legend, Nikki Yanofsky and the African Children's Choir. One X One was founded by Joelle Adler four years ago to fight child poverty and suffering around the world.

In many ways, the evening is not exceptional: There's the roast beef tenderloin dinner, the long speeches and the silent auction packages. But One X One is one of the few galas that puts its celebs to work. Mr. Damon did double duty as a serious voice for change and the consummate live auction ham (comedians Joel McHale and Russell Peters joined in with their typical button-pushing antics).

As for the guests, think Belinda Stronach and celebrity hairstylist pal Paul Venoit, interior designer Brian Gluckstein, CBC radio's Jian Ghomeshi and Richard Stursberg and Somali born emcee K'Naan.

POWER OF PENN

I wonder if Sean Penn remembers that he decamped to the Park Hyatt on the Sunday night of last year's film festival after the premiere of his opus Into the Wild.

Because if he didn't, a strong signal from his internal compass or body clock directed him back toward the rooftop bar exactly 365 days later.

I remember that night exceptionally well. He seemed to emit a magnetic force on the other actors; they huddled in toward him and stayed that way for ages.

Ditto this time around. Mr. Penn entered sans fanfare and made a beeline for a seating area. Within minutes, wife Robin Wright Penn, Josh Brolin (an alum from last year) and Mark Ruffalo plunked themselves down.

The VIP vortex continued as Tim Robbins joined the group. Then Adrien Brody. And finally came Jennifer Aniston, who was ushered in by a husky security detail. Dressed in a short black number that boasted a sexy back, she looked understated but confident.

Call it good old-fashioned Canadian manners, or scrupulous vetting of guests by Bonyan Films (the production company based in the United Arab Emirates that has turned the rooftop lounge into a private celeb-packed hangout) but not once did I notice anyone invading their space. Well, except for honcho Harvey Weinstein and I'd say he's allowed.

Here's what I've decided: Actors bring a frisson to a room even when they don't talk to anyone other than their ilk. Perhaps it's a coolness by proxy thing.

What I do know is that Rachel Blanchard is one of the loveliest actors I've had the pleasure of meeting thus far (right up there with Ed Harris and Geoffrey Rush). We collapsed onto opposite loungers from what we both agreed were uncomfortably high heels (hers were Jimmy Choo, natch). We then proceeded to feast on almonds before talk turned to her film, Adoration, directed by Atom Egoyan.

Incidentally, Ms. Blanchard was not the only Rachel at the Park Hyatt on Sunday. If you're thinking cute-as-button actress Rachel Bilson, she was down at Spice Route with boyfriend Hayden Christensen for E! Channel's first anniversary. I'm thinking of Rachel Weisz, the porcelain-faced beauty in town for The Brothers Bloom. Hey, two out of three ain't bad.

Entertainment One, a British company that acquires and distributes films, held a party for both The Brothers Bloom and Adoration earlier in the evening at the ROM. There, I ran into Scott Speedman (he eventually made it to the Park Hyatt too), who always manages to make scruffy look sexy. “I'm really proud of this film,” he said of Adoration, a multilayered post-9/11 tale. Although the party garnered a sizable group, the ROM's sweeping ground floor space scatters guests into clusters. Granted, this made it that much easier to spot Sook-Yin Lee, Norman Jewison and Lynne St. David, Ari Lantos, Atom Egoyan and father Robert (who will be honoured at an inaugural event, Isreelized, tonight).

The same could not be said at the after-party for Cooper's Camera, which was packed but, make no mistake, tremendously fun. The Christmas-themed movie stars The Daily Show's smart-alecky Samantha Bee and Jason Jones. Accordingly, there were all the requisite prop trimmings inside the Luxury Lounge (aka Lobby): a Christmas tree, empty gift boxes,and a Santa for adults.

Towards the bar's rear, local producers John Kozman and Nick Tabarrok were as giddy as kids on Dec. 25. “You can't hope for anything better, whether a low-budget or high-budget film, than one that makes people laugh,” said Mr. Kozman, whose company is called Boutique Films.

Canada's music couple on the move Dan Kurtz and Martina Sorbara of Dragonette came out to support their friends.Ms. Sorbara and I had our picture taken with Santa. Thankfully, it will not be appearing on WireImage or Flickr. When asked what she wants for Christmas, she deadpanned, “Oh, you know, a jet.” No doubt a lot of producers and actors in town are thinking the same thing.