Earlier this morning TIFF announced the World Premiere of “John Candy: I Like Me” as the Opening Night Gala taking place on Thursday, September 4th, at Roy Thomson Hall. Directed by Colin Hanks and produced by Ryan Reynolds, this documentary is a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Canadian icon, with stories and memories from Candy’s family, closest friends, and longtime collaborators. The 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, will take place September 4th–14th, 2025.
“Comedy fans all over the world grew up on John Candy’s humor,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF. “We love that John’s global career started in Toronto, and we can’t wait to share “John Candy: I Like Me” with everyone at this year’s Opening Night Gala premiere. Colin Hanks has made a hugely entertaining film packed with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, but like John, this movie is all heart. For us, it’s the perfect way to kick off TIFF’s 50th edition.”
“When you hear the name John Candy, your face lights up. He wasn’t just a great actor; he was an even better person. People loved his everyman qualities but didn’t know how relatable John really was. He went through the same struggles we all do, except now we talk about them. We are incredibly honored to have gotten to know the man better through this process and to bring the real John Candy to audiences starting with his hometown of Toronto.” — Director/Producer Colin Hanks and Producer Ryan Reynolds.
From director Colin Hanks and lifelong John Candy fan Ryan Reynolds comes “John Candy: I Like Me,” an exploration of the life of the Canadian comedic icon. This John Candy film documents his on- and off-camera existence, featuring never-before-seen home videos, intimate access to his family, and candid recollections from collaborators to paint a bigger picture of one of the brightest stars of the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. It’s the story of a son, husband, father, friend, and professional driven to bring joy to audiences and loved ones while battling personal ghosts and Hollywood pressures. The Amazon MGM title will debut globally on Prime Video in the fall.
Film Details:
John Candy: I Like Me | Colin Hanks | USA
World Premiere | Gala
Limited tickets to the Opening Night Gala of “John Candy: I Like Me” will be available as part of TIFF 50 Curated Ticket Packages, on sale exclusively to TIFF Members on June 11th and Visa cardholders on June 18th. Visit tiff.net/about-the-festival for more details.
TIFF’s Film Reference Library includes a free John Candy Collection, donated by Rose Candy, containing objects related to Candy’s professional career and personal life from the 1970s to the early 1990s.
The 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, runs September 4th–14th, 2025. More details about the festival will be shared in the coming weeks. This is a reminder that Media Accreditation is now open and will close on July 7th.
More Festival details will be announced in the coming weeks. 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.
