What to know
- TIFF has announced its first three films for the 51st festival: Being Heumann (opening night), Prima Facie, and South Korean political thriller The Assassin(s).
- The festival will introduce the John Bassett Theatre at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre as a new venue while returning to familiar locations across Toronto.
- The full festival lineup will be revealed on Aug. 11, with single-ticket sales beginning Aug. 21 for members before opening to the public on Aug. 31.
- TIFF 2026 runs from Sept. 10 to 20, bringing more than 200 international films to audiences across the city.
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is approaching quickly, and with less than two months away, the organizers have announced the first three movies set to premiere at the major event. Here’s everything you need to know and what else to expect for the 51st edition of TIFF.
What movies have been announced?
In a TIFF press release, the organization announced three films to kick off the festival.
Siân Heder’s Being Heumannis slated to be the opening night film. Starring Ruth Madeley and Mark Ruffalo, this American biographical drama looks at the life of Judith Heumann, a trailblazer in the disability rights movement. This movie is sure to be a standout, with Heder also directing the Oscar-winning CODA, a 2021 coming-of-age comedy-drama that followed the only hearing member of a deaf family.
Cynthia Erivo will make an appearance in her next big screen production, with Prima Facie, a legal drama adapted from the stage production by Suzie Miller and directed by Susanna White, who has directed movies such as Nanny McPhee Returns and John le Carré spy thriller Our Kind of Traitor. The movie will follow Erivo’s character, who is a barrister with a focus on defending men from claims of sexual assault before everything changes.
Finally, the third movie announced is the South Korean thriller The Assassin(s),where the work of director Hur Jin-ho and lead actor Lee Min-ho will be showcased. The film is a political mystery, based on the real attempted assassination of the South Korean President, Park Chung-hee. The edge-of-your-seat movie will be one not to miss.
Where will the venues be this year?
As in TIFF years’ past, the venue remains relatively the same, with one new spot to catch a film within the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
The John Bassett Theatre within the Front Street venue will be used for TIFF for the first time, with a capacity of more than 1,200 seats.
The usual screenings at TIFF Lightbox, Roy Thomson Hall, the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre, Cineplex’s Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, Cinema Park, and the Royal Alexandra Theatre are as expected.
When can I buy tickets?
Every year, TIFF showcases more than 200 international films. With multiple genres and screenings, there is something for everyone.
The Official Festival Schedule release of the full film line-up drops on Aug. 11. After reviewing the list, fans can gear up to begin buying tickets.
Single tickets go on sale first to TIFF Members on Aug. 21, followed by Visa Insider Pre-Sale on Aug. 28 to 30, and finally public sale on Aug. 31.
Tickets will go on sale around 12 p.m. each day on the TIFF website. Be sure to buy them as soon as possible, as tickets sell fast.
TIFF takes over the city from Sept. 10 to 20.
