The 2026 Toronto International Film Festival is set to kick off with the debut screening of the biographical film “Being Heumann,” as confirmed by organizers recently. The movie, based on a well-received 2020 memoir of the same title, is directed by Siân Heder and chronicles the life of Judy Heumann, a renowned advocate for disability rights. The lead roles will be portrayed by Ruth Madeley and Mark Ruffalo, who will depict former U.S. health secretary Joseph Califano.
Siân Heder, known for her previous film “CODA” which won the Best Picture award at the Oscars in 2022, will become the fourth woman to have her film open the festival. This follows the works of Sally El Hosaini, Deepa Mehta, and Patricia Rozema in previous editions.
Additionally, the festival will showcase the world premieres of two other films, “Prima Facie” by Susanna White and “Assassin(s)” by Hur Jin-ho. “Prima Facie” features Cynthia Erivo in the lead role, portraying a defense attorney who experiences sexual assault while defending accused sexual offenders. The film is an adaptation of Suzie Miller’s one-woman stage play of the same name.
On the other hand, “Assassin(s)” delves into the true events surrounding the 1974 attempted assassination of South Korean president Park Chung-hee. Park Hae-il is set to play a news editor striving to uncover unanswered questions related to the assassination attempt.
The Toronto International Film Festival will run from September 10-20 this year, with the official film lineup for its 51st edition to be revealed on August 11. Last year’s festival showcased over 200 films and premiered several highly anticipated releases, including works by Chloé Zhao, Guillermo del Toro, Curry Barker, and Rian Johnson.
Despite facing challenges in previous years due to various circumstances, the festival regained momentum when the 2025 People’s Choice winner, “Hamnet,” received an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. TIFF’s reputation as the “people’s festival” has been solidified by its track record of People’s Choice winners going on to secure top Oscar nominations.
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 be held at the John Bassett Theatre at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for the first time this year.
Tickets for the festival will be available for TIFF members starting on August 21, with public sales commencing on August 31.