This year’s Toronto International Film Festival will have over 100 films available for Canadians to watch online and in-person, while international attendees (who have a press or industry pass) can also stream titles. There are plenty of in-person screenings, satellite screenings (including one for Dune), and drive-in screenings available for filmgoers, with tickets on sale for the public starting on September 6 at 10 a.m. ET.
The hybrid event, which runs from September 9 to 18, will be housed online, at TIFF Bell Lightbox, Scotiabank Theatre, and other locations in the city. The films are available to stream for 48 hours after they are first available (for ticket holders only).
Director Steven Soderbergh will be making a special appearance to debut a “top secret” screening of a never-before-seen film. Kristen Stewart and Benedict Cumberbatch will take part in TIFF Bell Digital Talks sessions, and the 46th annual festival will see more stars in the flesh, including Jessica Chastain, Andrew Garfield, Naomi Watts, and Sigourney Weaver.
Below is our list of films to catch if you can.
Inu-Oh
Sept. 11 (in-person) at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto; 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 12 (digital premiere screening) at digital TIFF Bell Lightbox; 1:00 p.m.
Sept. 13 (digital screening) at digital TIFF Bell Lightbox; 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 18 (in-person) at TIFF Bell Lightbox; 12:00 p.m.
Inu-Oh, the highly anticipated new film from Masaaki Yuasa, will have its North American premiere at this year’s festival. The film is based on the novel Tales of the Heike: INU-OH and follows Inu-Oh, an iconic figure in Japanese history, who is a dancer born with special characteristics, and Tomona, a blind biwa player. The two become inseparable. Set in 14th-century Japan, the 98-minute film exposes the joy of song, dance, and magic. Avu-chan and Mirai Moriyama star in the title roles.
Spencer
Sept. 15 (in-person) at the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre; 6:00 p.m.
The transformation of Kristen Stewart into the late Princess Diana is one we’re especially excited about. Directed by Pablo Larrain (Jackie), those paying attention may have already seen the image of Diana toppled over while dressed in an elaborate gown, but now there is also a trailer available that gives audiences even more of taste of what to expect. The trailer shows images of Christmas dinner, exchanges between Diana and her friend, also Prince Charles (played by Jack Farthing), as well as images of Diana running, dancing, and looking trapped. The story follows Diana over three days, with the music in the film crafted by Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood. Stewart is already getting Oscar buzz for this performance.
All My Puny Sorrows
Sept. 11 (in-person) at the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre; 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 12 (digital premiere screening) at digital TIFF Bell Lightbox; 1:00 p.m.
Sept. 16 (digital screening) at digital TIFF Bell Lightbox; 9:00 p.m.
Sept. 17 (in-person) at TIFF Bell Lightbox; 7:00 p.m
Starring Alison Pill and Sarah Gadon, the film is an adaption of the best-selling novel of the same name, which was written by Canadian author Miriam Towes. Yoli (Pill), a writer, and Elf (Gadon), a concert pianist, are battling with self-doubt and sorrow after leaving their Mennonite community. Self discovery is at the heart of this film, with other women from the Von Riesen clan also unraveling their stories. The film is directed by Toronto’s Michael McGowan (One Week) and was shot in North Bay, Ontario.
The Starling
Sept. 12 (in-person) at the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre; 6:00 p.m.
Sept. 12 at RBC Lakeside Drive-In at Ontario Place; 9:00 p.m.
Sept. 13 (digital premiere screening) at digital TIFF Bell Lightbox; 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 16 (digital premiere screening) at digital TIFF Bell Lightbox; 1:00 p.m.
The Starling is a comedic drama from director Theodore Melfi (Hidden Figures) and stars Melissa McCarthy, Chris O’Dowd, and Kevin Kline. The plot focuses on Lilly (McCarthy) and Jack’s (O’Dowd) grief following the loss of their infant daughter. Jack is now in a psychiatric clinic because of the loss. Lilly works at a grocery store and travels to see her husband each week, trying to keep it all together. Enter Larry (Kline), Lilly’s therapist, who becomes more central to her life than she anticipated, especially as she squabbles with a bird. The film is also available on Netflix.
Charlotte
Sept. 13 (in-person) at the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre; 6:00 p.m.
Sept. 13 (digital premiere screening) at digital TIFF Bell Lightbox; 9:00 p.m.
Sept. 13 (digital premiere screening) at digital TIFF Bell Lightbox; 9:00 p.m.
Sept. 13 (Canadian satellite screening) at Galaxy Cinemas Moose Jaw; 9:00 p.m.
Sept. 17 (in-person) at TIFF Bell Lightbox; 11:00 a.m.
Sept. 17 (digital screening) at TIFF Bell Lightbox; 3:00 p.m.
Charlotte is Canadian filmmaker and animator Tahir Rana’s directorial debut, and he co-directed the film alongside fellow Canadian and director Eric Warin (Alex and the Ghosts). This film is based on the true story of Charlotte Salomon, a German Jewish artist who created paintings during World War II. She is gifted and troubled. Keira Knightley is the voice of Charlotte.
Memory Box: Echoes of 9/11
Sept. 11 (in-person) at TIFF Bell Lightbox; 11:00 a.m.
This documentary features a collection of 9/11 recordings, taken from the months following the attacks, with present-day follow-up accounts from the same people. It all started with artist Ruth Sergel creating a plywood video booth and inviting people to stop and tell what they saw or felt during that tragic day. The filmmakers, David Belton and Bjørn Johnson, have mixed these accounts with news and other bits of memories to present a film that we anticipate will be a standout at TIFF. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. You can view the trailer here.
Julia
Sept. 12 (in-person) at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto; 2:00 p.m.
Sept. 15 (digital premiere screening) at digital TIFF Bell Lightbox; 3:00 p.m.
Sept. 17 (digital premiere screening) at digital TIFF Bell Lightbox; 9:00 p.m.
Sept. 18 (in-person) at TIFF Bell Lightbox; 1:30 p.m.
Julia Child, the famous woman behind the cookbooks we’ve all come to know and gush about, is at the centre of this film from Oscar-nominated directors Julie Cohen and Betsy West (RBG). Julia follows Child’s life both personally and professionally, highlighting how she mastered and transformed the cooking world. The film also presents her take on feminism and ageism. Footage from television archives help tell the story. If you’re looking for an inspiring, motivating film, look no further.
Lakewood
Sept. 12 (in-person) at Roy Thomson Hall; 12:30 p.m.
Sept. 12 (in-person) at Visa Skyline Drive-In at Ontario Place; 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 13 (digital premiere screening) at digital TIFF Bell Lightbox; 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 14 (in-person) at Ontario Place West Island Open Air Cinema; 9:00 p.m.
Sept. 15 (Digital Cinema Pro) at 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 16 (digital screening) at digital TIFF Lightbox; 3:00 p.m.
Naomi Watts stars in this thriller which follows a mother racing to save her child from an active shooter. Director Phillip Noyce (Rabbit-Proof Fence, Dead Calm) and writer Chris Sparling have developed a film centred on one person, Amy (Watts), as she does whatever it takes to get to her son to safety.
Aloners
Sept. 10 (digital premiere screening) at digital TIFF Bell Lightbox; 3:00 p.m.
Sept. 10 (in-person) at TIFF Bell Lightbox; 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 15 (digital screening) at digital TIFF Bell Lightbox; 7:00 p.m.
The International Premiere of Aloners will take place this year at TIFF. The film, a debut from director Hong Sung-eun, follows a woman who lives in her own world of solitude. After her neighbour dies alone in his apartment, Jina (Gong Seung-yeon) begins to look at her life and how she fits in the world.
Dune
Sept. 11 (in-person) at Cinesphere IMAX Theatre; 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 12 (Canadian Satellite Screening) at Cinéma Banque Scotia Montréal; 7:00 p.m.
Sept. 12 (in-person) at Cinesphere IMAX Theatre; 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 13 (in-person) at Scotiabank Theatre; 8:00 p.m.
Sept. 18 (in-person) at Cinesphere IMAX Theatre; 8:00 p.m
Chances are you’ve heard a lot of talk about this sci-fi film from Canada’s Denis Villeneuve – it has been anticipated for what feels like years now. Dune stars Timothée Chalamet, Josh Brolin, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, among others, who retell the story from Frank Herbert’s novel and the fight among an interstellar society, specifically those seeking power on the planet Arrakis. Check this out at the Cinesphere IMAX Theatre if you can.