Toronto International Film Festival has announced three world premieres in its Gala Presentations programme: Prima Facie from British director Susanna White (Woman Walks Ahead, TIFF ’17); The Assassin(s) from Korean filmmaker Hur Jin-ho (A Normal Family, TIFF ’23); and Apple Original film Being Heumann from American director Siân Heder (CODA), which will serve as TIFF’s Opening Night Film taking place on Thursday 10 September at Roy Thomson Hall.
“Building on the momentum of last year’s milestone 50th edition, which welcomed approximately 700,000 attendees, TIFF returns this 10–20 September with a dynamic lineup of acclaimed directors, Hollywood and international A-list talent, red carpet premieres, the inaugural TIFF: The Market, and unforgettable audience experiences across all 11 days,” organisers said.
“We’re thrilled to open this year’s festival with Siân Heder’s inspiring follow-up to her Oscar-winning CODA,” added Cameron Bailey, CEO, TIFF.
“Being Heumann features an electric performance from Ruth Madeley in the story of Judy Heumann, a world-changing advocate for accessibility.
“We’re also glad to reveal the news that Toronto audiences will be the first to see Cynthia Erivo in Susanna White’s searing legal drama Prima Facie, and that the South Korean power duo of director Hur Jin-ho and superstar Lee Min-ho will launch their thriller The Assassin(s) at our 51st Festival. Lots more to come.”
In addition to TIFF ’26’s Official Selection, the festival’s 51st edition will once again offer live post-screening Q&As, the In Conversation With… series, as well as the popular Festival Street, which returns for opening weekend along King Street West, from Peter Street to University Avenue, with food trucks, free activations, potential celebrity-spotting, and more.
On the last day of the festival, TIFF will announce its award winners including the popular People’s Choice Awards, presented by Rogers, which last year had Toronto audiences choosing Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet as their top pick.
New this year, a non-English-language winner of TIFF’s Platform Award can directly qualify for Best International Feature Film at the upcoming 99th Academy Awards.
Also returning are the esteemed Jury Prizes and honours from FIPRESCI and NETPAC.
More information is available on the TIFF website.
