TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey is delighted to announce the first group of esteemed honourees of the annual TIFF Tribute Awards, celebrating outstanding contributions to cinema and serving as the kick-off to awards season. The annual awards gala will take place on Sunday, September 13th, at Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto.
Academy Award–winning actor Penélope Cruz will receive the TIFF Special Tribute Award, presented by CHANEL; visionary auteur Lee Chang-dong will be honored with the TIFF Ebert Director Award, presented by The Tory Family; acclaimed actor Rosalind Eleazar and French screen icon Isabelle Huppert will be presented with TIFF Tribute Performer Awards; and Academy Award–winning filmmaker Siân Heder will receive the TIFF Tribute Award in Impact Media, presented by Anne-Marie Canning.
“Now in its eighth year, the TIFF Tribute Awards celebrates some of cinema’s most exciting artists at an event dedicated to the transformative power of film,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO, TIFF. “From the captivating performances of Isabelle Huppert, Penélope Cruz, and Rosalind Eleazar to Lee Chang-dong and Siân Heder’s vital filmmaking, each has shown a profound impact on screen storytelling. It’s our privilege to recognize their achievements as we gather to celebrate another exceptional year in film and rally support for TIFF’s ongoing work.”
The Tribute Awards gala is TIFF’s largest annual fundraiser and a world-class celebration of cinematic excellence, with proceeds supporting expanded access to cinema, championing artists, strengthening the industry, and bringing communities together through film. Presented in partnership with Rolex, with support from RBC, Fairmont Royal York Hotel, and Don Julio.
2026 TIFF Tribute Awards honorees:
Penélope Cruz – TIFF Special Tribute Award, presented by CHANEL
Academy Award winner and three-time nominee Penélope Cruz has two films premiering at this year’s Festival: “Bunker” from Oscar-winning writer-director Florian Zeller and “La Bola Negra,” directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi from a screenplay co-written with Alberto Conejero. Her other starring roles this year include “The Bride!,” directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, alongside Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale, and Peter Sarsgaard, and Olivia Wilde’s “The Invite” alongside Wilde, Seth Rogen, and Edward Norton.
Cruz has proven herself one of the industry’s most accomplished performers, becoming the first actress from Spain to be nominated for and win an Academy Award. Her acclaimed credits include “Volver” (TIFF’ 06), “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (2008), “Nine” (2009), and “Parallel Mothers” (2021). In 2022, Cruz partnered with The MediaPro Studio to launch her production company Moonlyon. Recently, she starred in “Ferrari” (2023) alongside Adam Driver and Shailene Woodley, earning Screen Actors Guild and Gotham Award nominations for her supporting performance. Upcoming projects include director Isabel Coixet’s adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s “The Days of Abandonment” and the thriller “Day Drinker.” Looking ahead, Cruz will lead Nancy Meyers’ return to directing in her untitled film, set for release at Christmas of 2027.
The Special Tribute Award recognizes an individual who has made an extraordinary and unique contribution to the world of film, leaving a lasting legacy through their dedication and artistry. Previous recipients include Lee Byung Hun, Zacharias Kunuk, and Jafar Panahi (2025), Zhao Tao (2024), Andy Lau (2023), Dionne Warwick (2021), and David Foster (2019).
Lee Chang-dong – TIFF Ebert Director Award, presented by The Tory Family
Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-dong returns to TIFF with the Special Presentations premiere of his eagerly anticipated “Possible Love,” a gripping tale of relationships plus generational and class divides. Beginning his career as a novelist before transitioning into cinema, Chang-dong has built an international reputation through films that profoundly contemplate contemporary humanity and society. His acclaimed filmography includes “Peppermint Candy” (1999), “Oasis” (TIFF’ 02), which won the Silver Lion at Venice, “Secret Sunshine” (TIFF’ 07), and the internationally revered thriller “Burning” (TIFF’ 18), which was shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards.
Named after legendary film critic Roger Ebert, the award recognizes visionary filmmakers who have made a transformative impact on cinema. Past recipients include Guillermo del Toro (2025), Mike Leigh (2024), Spike Lee (2023), Sam Mendes (2022), Denis Villeneuve (2021), and Chloé Zhao (2020).
Rosalind Eleazar – TIFF Tribute Performer Award
Rising British powerhouse Rosalind Eleazar receives the TIFF Tribute Performer Award for her magnetic performance in Chris Rock’s “Misty Green.” Making her return to TIFF following the World Premiere of “The Personal History of David Copperfield” (TIFF’ 19), Eleazar has earned acclaim for her dramatic range across stage and screen, most notably for her role as MI5 agent Louisa Guy in the award-winning series “Slow Horses” (2022–2025). Her screen credits include “Rose of Nevada” (TIFF’ 25), “Missing You” (2025), for which she was recognized with a Royal Television Society Award, “Class of ’09” (2023), “Deep Water” (2019), “Harlots” (2017–2019), “Rellik” (2017), “National Treasure” (2016), and more. On stage, Eleazar most recently appeared opposite Ralph Fiennes in “Small Hotel” as part of the Theatre Royal Bath season.
Isabelle Huppert – TIFF Tribute Performer Award
With a career spanning over 100 films, Oscar-nominated Isabelle Huppert re-teams with Marc Fitoussi (“Paris Follies,” 2014) in his latest comedy “All About Corinne,” a TIFF ’26 Gala Presentation, in which she plays a background actor who spots a belated chance to break into the fickle family of le cinéma français. Huppert is widely regarded as one of the greatest figures in auteur and global cinema. In an exceptional career, she has stood out for her bold and profound roles, collaborating with renowned directors such as Claude Chabrol, Michael Haneke, and Paul Verhoeven. Her iconic films include “The Piano Teacher” (2001), “Elle,” and “Things to Come” (both at TIFF’ 16), with additional Festival Official Selections “Greta” (TIFF’ 18) and “Frankie” (TIFF’ 19).
The TIFF Tribute Performer Award recognizes an overall body of work. Past recipients are Nina Hoss and Channing Tatum (2025), Amy Adams and Jharrel Jerome (2024), Colman Domingo and Vicky Krieps (2023), Brendan Fraser and the ensemble cast of “My Policeman” (2022), Jessica Chastain and Benedict Cumberbatch (2021), Kate Winslet and Sir Anthony Hopkins (2020), plus Meryl Streep and Joaquin Phoenix (2019).
Siân Heder – TIFF Tribute Award in Impact Media, presented by Anne-Marie Canning
A defining voice in contemporary cinema, American writer, director, and producer Siân Heder makes her Festival debut with the TIFF ’26 World Premiere of “Being Heumann,” a follow-up to her Oscar-winning “CODA” (2021). Heder’s Opening Night Gala Presentation features a breakout performance by Ruth Madeley and Oscar nominee Mark Ruffalo in this inspiring historical drama celebrating the paradigm-shifting activist Judy Heumann, “Mother of the Disability Rights Movement.” Building on a body of work that includes “Tallulah” (2016) and TV credits such as “Orange Is the New Black and Little America,” Heder continues to advance inclusive storytelling and pave the way for a more accessible future on and off screen.
Previously bestowed upon Idris Elba, Angelina Jolie, Pedro Almodóvar, Mira Nair, and Alanis Obomsawin, the TIFF Tribute Award in Impact Media is presented by Anne-Marie Canning and recognizes leadership in creating a union between social impact and cinema.
Previously announced:
Galas And Special Presentations Lineup
Platform Programming & Jury
Discovery
Upcoming announcements:
TIFF Takeover 2: August 4th–6th
Tue., Aug. 4: Centrepiece, Wavelengths & Classics
Wed., Aug. 5: TIFF Docs & Shortcuts
Thu., Aug. 6: Midnight Madness
Dan Bayer, Nadia Dalimonte, Giovanni Lago, Sara Clements, and I will be attending this year’s TIFF from Next Best Picture in person.
Are you excited for this announcement? What other films do you think will be announced for this year’s Toronto International Film Festival? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or on our X account.
