The 51st edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, is announcing three World Premieres in its Gala Presentations program including “Prima Facie” from British director Susanna White (“Woman Walks Ahead,” TIFF ’17); “The Assassin(s)” from Korean filmmaker Hur Jin-ho (“A Normal Family,” TIFF ’23), and Apple Original Film’s “Being Heumann” from American director Siân Heder (“CODA“) as TIFF’s Opening Night Film taking place on Thursday, September 10th, at Roy Thomson Hall. Building on the momentum of last year’s milestone 50th edition, which welcomed approximately 700,000 attendees, TIFF returns this September 10th–20th with a dynamic lineup of acclaimed directors, Hollywood and international A-list talent, red carpet premieres, the inaugural TIFF: The Market, and unforgettable audience experiences across all 11 days.
“We’re thrilled to open this year’s Festival with Siân Heder’s inspiring follow-up to her Oscar-winning CODA,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO, TIFF. Being Heumann features an electric performance from Ruth Madeley in the story of Judy Heumann, a world-changing advocate for accessibility. We’re also glad to reveal the news that Toronto audiences will be the first to see Cynthia Erivo in Susanna White’s searing legal drama Prima Facie, and that the South Korean power duo of director Hur Jin-ho and superstar Lee Min-ho will launch their thriller The Assassin(s) at our 51st Festival. Lots more to come.”
Film Details:
Being Heumann | Siân Heder | USA
World Premiere | Gala Presentation
Opening Night Film
Prima Facie | Susanna White | Australia, UK
World Premiere | Gala Presentation
The Assassin(s) | Hur Jin-ho | South Korea
World Premiere | Gala Presentation
In addition to TIFF ’26’s Official Selection, the Festival’s 51st edition will once again offer live post-screening Q&As, the In Conversation With… series, as well as the popular Festival Street, which returns for opening weekend along King Street West, from Peter Street to University Avenue, with food trucks, free activations, potential celebrity-spotting, and more.
On the last day of the Festival, TIFF will announce its award winners, including the popular People’s Choice Awards, presented by Rogers, which last year had Toronto audiences choosing Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet” as their top pick. New this year, a non-English-language winner of TIFF’s Platform Award can directly qualify for Best International Feature Film at the upcoming 99th Academy Awards. Also returning are the esteemed Jury Prizes and honors from FIPRESCI and NETPAC. For a full list of past winners, visit tiff.net/awards.
This year’s official screening venues are: TIFF Lightbox, Roy Thomson Hall, the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre, Cineplex’s Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, Cinema Park, the Royal Alexandra Theatre, and, new this year, the John Bassett Theatre at the Metro Toronto Convention Center. The eighth edition of the TIFF Tribute Awards gala fundraiser will take place on Sunday, September 13th, 2026, at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, and the inaugural TIFF: The Market will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Center September 10th–16th
TIFF Takeover programming announcements are returning for the weeks of July 20th–23rd and August 4th–7th, and the complete film schedule will go live on tiff.net on August 11th. Ticketing details can be found here, with single tickets going on sale to TIFF Members starting August 21st (by level), and to the public on August 31st.
A reminder that Festival Media Accreditation closes tomorrow at 8 pm ET.
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.
