Curtain Falls on 50th Toronto International Film Festival

The curtain comes down today on the 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The ten-day celebration, which began on September 4, transformed downtown Toronto into a hub of glamour, cinema, and cultural exchange. The festival’s main stage was the iconic TIFF Lightbox on King Street, with screenings also held at the Thomas Thomson Theatre and other venues across the city.

This year, TIFF showcased 291 films from nearly 50 countries, including 48 short films from 28 nations in its Short Cuts program. A milestone moment was the inclusion of a record eight feature films by Indigenous Canadian filmmakers, marking a new chapter in the festival’s history and highlighting Canada’s diverse cultural voices.

Beyond the big screen, TIFF once again dazzled with red-carpet glamour. Angelina Jolie was one of the standout presences, while Scarlett Johansson surprised fans by attending the premiere of her directorial project Eleanor the Great. Other stars to grace the festival included Anya Taylor-Joy, Tessa Thompson, Dwayne Johnson, Kerry Washington, Mila Kunis, Janhvi Kapoor, and Sydney Sweeney. Pop sensation Charli XCX also drew attention with bold fashion choices and her down-to-earth interactions with fans.

Each day, King Street overflowed with thousands of movie lovers—some eager to catch the latest premieres, others hoping for a glimpse of their favorite stars. The cheers, selfies, and applause created a festive energy that turned the downtown core into a living stage of cinematic passion.

As TIFF’s golden jubilee edition concludes, it leaves behind both triumph and reflection: the challenge of balancing glamour with artistry, and the responsibility of creating space for emerging voices. Yet above all, this year’s festival reaffirms one timeless truth—cinema is more than an art form; it is a gathering of human emotions, and TIFF remains one of its grandest celebrations.