The Toronto International Film Festival in 2026 is set to kick off with the debut of the film “Being Heumann,” as per organizers’ announcement on Tuesday. The movie, based on a well-received 2020 memoir of the same name, is a biopic directed by Siân Heder that chronicles the life of Judy Heumann, a prominent advocate for disability rights. The cast includes Ruth Madeley in the lead role and Mark Ruffalo portraying former U.S. health secretary Joseph Califano.
Siân Heder, known for the award-winning film “CODA” at the 2022 Oscars, will be the fourth female director to open the festival, 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 announced for their world premieres are Susanna White’s “Prima Facie” and Hur Jin-ho’s “Assassin(s).”
“Prima Facie,” starring Cynthia Erivo, revolves around a defense attorney representing accused sexual offenders who becomes a victim of sexual assault herself. The film is an adaptation of Suzie Miller’s one-woman stage play of the same name, with Miller also penning the screenplay.
“Assassin(s)” delves into the real-life 1974 assassination attempt on South Korean president Park Chung-hee. Park Hae-il is set to play a news editor attempting to unravel unanswered questions surrounding the assassination attempt.
The upcoming Toronto International Film Festival will run from September 10-20, with the lineup for its 51st edition to be unveiled on August 11. The 50th-anniversary festival saw a resurgence following challenges from previous years, such as the impact of COVID-19 and other disruptions. The festival regained prominence with the success of “Hamnet,” which received an Oscars nomination for best picture, reaffirming TIFF’s influence on the awards season.
Since 2008, nearly every People’s Choice winner at TIFF has gone on to secure a top Oscar nomination, solidifying the festival’s reputation as the “people’s festival.” The festival’s accessibility has attracted major studios, distinguishing it from more critic-focused 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, the Royal Alexandra Theatre, and the John Bassett Theatre at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, which is a new addition this year. Tickets for the festival will be available to TIFF members on August 21 and to the general public on August 31.