Entertainment
Toronto International Film Festival Returns With Nearly 300 Films
CANADA — The Toronto International Film Festival is set to return for its 51st edition on September 10, with nearly 300 films scheduled to be presente...
By Wavers Multimedia
The festival will run through September 20 in Toronto, bringing together films from different parts of the world while placing a strong focus on independent productions and international cinema.
Organisers are aiming to attract a younger audience, as younger moviegoers increasingly seek films and cinema experiences beyond mainstream Hollywood productions.
Among the films being presented is Rescue, a documentary by Sine Plambech that explores the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean.
Another featured film is Tehran, Under the Skin, directed by Afsaneh Salari. The film looks at Iran's beauty industry against the backdrop of tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
The festival will also feature the North American debut of Alex Gibney's documentary about billionaire Elon Musk. The documentary previously premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
Peter Farrelly's I Play Rocky is also scheduled for a world premiere at the festival. The film recreates the story of how Sylvester Stallone's Rocky was produced.
South Korean director Lee Chang-dong's drama Possible Love will also have its North American launch at the festival.
Among the stars expected at the event are Penelope Cruz, Seth Rogen, Naomi Watts, Courteney Cox and Helen Mirren.
The festival will open with Being Heumann, directed by Sian Heder and starring Ruth Madeley as disability rights activist Judy Heumann.
TIFF's chief programming officer, Anita Lee, said the festival is seeing a significant demographic shift, with younger audiences returning to cinemas and showing greater interest in international films and cinema from different parts of the world.
The 51st Toronto International Film Festival will run from September 10 to September 20, 2026.