We might still be in the dog days of summer, but fall film festival season is already beckoning. Up today: the 51st edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, has announced three world premieres in its Gala Presentations program, including the festival’s opening night selection.
This year’s festival will open with Siân Heder’s “CODA” follow-up, the fact-based Apple Original feature “Being Heumann.” The film’s world premiere will take place on Thursday, September 10, at Roy Thomson Hall.
“We’re thrilled to open this year’s festival with Siân Heder’s inspiring follow-up to her Oscar-winning ‘CODA,’” said Cameron Bailey, CEO, TIFF in an official statement. “‘Being Heumann’ features an electric performance from Ruth Madeley in the story of Judy Heumann, a world-changing advocate for accessibility.”
Today’s other additions include the Cynthia Erivo-starring “Prima Facie” from British director Susanna White (“Woman Walks Ahead,” TIFF ’17) and “The Assassin(s)” from Korean filmmaker Hur Jin-ho (“A Normal Family,” TIFF ’23). Many more lineup announcements will be shared in the coming weeks.
TIFF returns this September 10–20. On the last day of the fest, 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 honors from FIPRESCI and NETPAC.
The eighth edition of the TIFF Tribute Awards gala fundraiser will take place on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Fairmont Royal York Hotel, and the inaugural TIFF: The Market will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre September 10–16.
