The 2026 Toronto International Film Festival is set to kick off with the debut screening of the biographical film “Being Heumann,” as revealed by event organizers on Tuesday. This movie, originally a well-received memoir in 2020, is directed by Siân Heder and portrays the life of Judy Heumann, a prominent advocate for disability rights. The cast includes Ruth Madeley in the lead role and Mark Ruffalo playing the former U.S. health secretary, Joseph Califano.
Siân Heder, whose film “CODA” secured the best picture award at the Oscars in 2022, will become the fourth woman to open the festival with her movie, following Sally El Hosaini’s “The Swimmers” in 2022, Deepa Mehta’s “Water” in 2005, and Patricia Rozema’s “I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing” in 1987. Additionally, two other films, Susanna White’s “Prima Facie” and Hur Jin-ho’s “Assassin(s),” will have their world premieres during the festival.
“Prima Facie,” featuring Cynthia Erivo, delves into the story of a defense attorney for accused sexual offenders who becomes a victim of sexual assault herself. On the other hand, “Assassin(s)” focuses on the real-life 1974 attempted assassination of the South Korean president Park Chung-hee, with Park Hae-il playing a news editor attempting to uncover unanswered questions about the incident.
The Toronto International Film Festival, known as TIFF, is scheduled to run from September 10 to 20 this year, with the lineup for its 51st edition to be disclosed on August 11. Last year’s festival showcased over 200 films, including North American or world premieres of highly anticipated releases like Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet,” Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” Curry Barker’s horror hit “Obsession,” and Rian Johnson’s “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.”
The 50th-anniversary edition marked a significant resurgence for the festival after facing challenges such as the impact of COVID-19, strikes affecting film production and star participation, and unexpected events like the death of Queen Elizabeth on the opening day of the 2022 festival. The success of “Hamnet” at the Oscars following its People’s Choice win in 2025 reaffirmed TIFF’s influence as a predictor of awards season success.
Since 2008, almost every People’s Choice winner at TIFF went on to secure a top Oscar nomination, solidifying the festival’s reputation as the “people’s festival.” This track record has attracted major studios to showcase their premieres at TIFF, distinguishing it from more exclusive events like Cannes or Venice.
The 51st annual Toronto International Film Festival will be held at various venues, including TIFF Lightbox, Roy Thomson Hall, the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre, Cineplex’s Scotiabank Theatre, Cinema Park, and the Royal Alexandra Theatre. Additionally, screenings will take place at the new venue, the John Bassett Theatre at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Tickets for the festival will be available for TIFF members starting on August 21 and to the general public on August 31.
