Three World Premieres set the stage for TIFF’s 51st edition, with Siân Heder’s Being Heumann announced as Opening Night Film

The 51st edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, is announcing three World Premieres in its Gala Presentations programme 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 10, 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 10–20 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 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 honours 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 Centre. The eighth edition of the TIFF Tribute Awards gala fundraiser will take place on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Fairmont Royal York Hotel, and the inaugural TIFF: The Market will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre September 10–16.

TIFF Takeover programming announcements are returning the weeks of July 20–23 and August 4–7, and the complete film schedule will go live August 11 on tiff.net. Ticketing details can be found here, with single tickets going on sale to TIFF Members starting August 21 (by level), and to the public on August 31.

A reminder that Festival Media Accreditation closes tomorrow at 8pm ET.

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About TIFF
TIFF is a not-for-profit cultural organization with a mission to transform the way people see the world through film. A global leader in film and entertainment, TIFF initiatives include the annual Toronto International Film Festival® in September; TIFF Lightbox, which features five cinemas, plus learning and entertainment facilities; the Donald Shebib TIFF Film Circuit, an innovative national distribution programme; and TIFF: The Market launching in 2026. The organization generates an estimated annual economic impact of $240 million CAD. TIFF Lightbox is generously supported by contributors including the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada, the City of Toronto, the Reitman family (Ivan Reitman, Agi Mandel, and Susan Michaels), The Daniels Corporation, and RBC. For more information, visit tiff.net.

TIFF is generously supported by Festival Presenting Sponsor Rogers Communications.

TIFF is generously supported by Major Sponsors RBC and Visa and Major Supporters the Government of Ontario, Telefilm Canada, and the City of Toronto.