The Toronto International Film Festival unveiled 66 film titles for this year’s gala and special presentations programs. These platforms, known for attracting red-carpet attention and generating award-season buzz, feature a diverse lineup of films blending global prestige with a touch of Canadian flair.
Among the world premieres scheduled for the festival’s 51st edition are noteworthy films such as David and Nathan Zellner’s sci-fi comedy “Alpha Gang,” starring Cate Blanchett and Chris Pine; Chris Rock’s dramedy “Misty Green,” featuring Adam Driver, Daniel Kaluuya, and Rosalind Eleazar; Anton Corbijn’s drama “A Talent for Murder,” with Helen Mirren in the lead role; and Lauren Miller Rogen’s rom-com “Babies,” starring Seth Rogen and Anna Kendrick.
One film generating industry buzz is “I Play Rocky,” directed by Peter Farrelly of “Green Book” fame. The movie delves into the backstage drama surrounding the making of the iconic 1976 boxing film “Rocky,” with newcomer Anthony Ippolito portraying a young Sylvester Stallone.
Yan Lanouette Turgeon’s “Villeneuve: The Rise of a Legend” has been selected as the closing night gala film, offering a biographical sports drama about Canadian racing legend Gilles Villeneuve.
Adding to the cinematic mix is Andrew Haigh’s Canadian premiere “A Long Winter,” a film set in a mountainous backdrop as a family readies for an extended winter period, primarily shot in Alberta.
Canadian director Mina Shum’s “Whatcha Want” is set for its world premiere, described as a blend of “Crazy Rich Asians” meets “Flashdance,” featuring Isabella Wei in the lead role and supported by Ming-Na Wen.
“In Alaska,” a Dutch-Canadian co-production by Jaap van Heusden and Vinnie Karetak, is also set for a world premiere, centered on a 17-year-old Alaskan boy on the run after an incident with an oil pipeline, starring Noomi Rapace and newcomer Leo Matthew Temela.
The gala lineup includes documentaries highlighting prominent Canadian figures, such as the world premiere of “Man in Motion: The Rick Hansen Story” by Adrian Buitenhuis and “Run Terry Run” by Sean Menard, chronicling the story of Terry Fox.
The 2026 Toronto International Film Festival is scheduled to run from Sept. 10-20, featuring a rich array of films and talent across various genres.