Curtain Rises on the 50th Toronto International Film Festival
According to the organizers, the star-studded guest list includes Angelina Jolie, Daniel Craig, Keanu Reeves, Scarlett Johansson, Ryan Reynolds, Natalie Portman, Emily Blunt, Dwayne Johnson, Jude Law, Colin Farrell, Matthew McConaughey, Sydney Sweeney, Paul Mescal, Elle Fanning, Mia Goth, Jodie Foster, Idris Elba, Dustin Hoffman, Ralph Fiennes, Riz Ahmed, Kerry Washington, Josh O’Connor, Lee Byung-hun, Park Chan-wook, Jafar Panahi, and many more.
Good news for cinephiles—the curtain has risen on the 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The Golden Jubilee celebration of one of the world’s most prestigious and Canada’s largest film festivals officially opened on Thursday (September 4, local time). Hollywood’s biggest stars are joining the grand occasion.
According to the organizers, the star-studded guest list includes Angelina Jolie, Daniel Craig, Keanu Reeves, Scarlett Johansson, Ryan Reynolds, Natalie Portman, Emily Blunt, Dwayne Johnson, Jude Law, Colin Farrell, Matthew McConaughey, Sydney Sweeney, Paul Mescal, Elle Fanning, Mia Goth, Jodie Foster, Idris Elba, Dustin Hoffman, Ralph Fiennes, Riz Ahmed, Kerry Washington, Josh O’Connor, Lee Byung-hun, Park Chan-wook, Jafar Panahi, and many more.
Launched in 1976, TIFF has grown over five decades into one of the most important film festivals in the world. Organizers expect packed screenings, vibrant crowds, and a festive atmosphere throughout the 11-day event, which runs until September 14.
Highlights of the Festival
This year’s Golden Jubilee lineup features more than 200 feature films, dozens of shorts, and 10 television series. Among the most anticipated are Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, Chloé Zhao’s Shakespeare-inspired Hamnet, and Canadian filmmaker Matt Johnson’s time-travel thriller Nirvanna the Band the Show: The Movie.
Other major titles include Oscar-winner Steven Soderbergh’s The Christophers, Alejandro Amenábar’s The Captive, Byun Sung-hyun’s Good News from South Korea, Nia DaCosta’s Hedda starring Tessa Thompson, Chandler Levack’s Mile and Kicks, Aziz Ansari’s Good Fortune featuring Keanu Reeves and Seth Rogen, Rian Johnson’s third Knives Out film, James Vanderbilt’s Nuremberg, and Palestinian filmmaker Annemarie Yassir’s Palestine 36.
The festival opened with John Candy: I Like Me, a documentary on the late Canadian comedy legend, produced by Ryan Reynolds and directed by Colin Hanks. The closing night gala will feature Canadian director Anne Émond’s Pick Everything.
Venues & Screenings
Most screenings will take place at TIFF Bell Lightbox and Festival Tower, with additional venues including Roy Thomson Hall, Princess of Wales Theatre’s Visa Screening Room, Cineplex’s Scotiabank Theatre, Glenn Gould Studio, and the Royal Alexandra Theatre—all located in downtown Toronto.
Awards & Honors
Since 2015, TIFF’s competitive section “Platform” has honored standout films with international juries selecting one winner. This year’s jury includes American actress Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Spanish filmmaker Carlos Marques-Marcet, and Canadian director Chloé Robichaud. The winning filmmaker will receive CAD 20,000 (approximately BDT 1.8 million).
Special Tribute Awards will also be presented to Iranian director Jafar Panahi, Squid Game star Lee Byung-hun, and Canadian filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk.
Tickets & Fan Access
Tickets for festival films are open to the public, though organizers acknowledge the process can be tricky. To simplify, the official website provides a detailed FAQ section and video guides.
For fans eager to spot celebrities, “Fan Zone” tickets offer the best chance—especially at the Visa Screening Room (Princess of Wales Theatre), Royal Alexandra Theatre, and Roy Thomson Hall’s red carpets. Additional fan zones are set up at David Pecaut Square, while lucky fans may even catch stars dining at Toronto’s popular downtown restaurants.