The Toronto International Film Festival announced more titles in their Gala Presentations and Special Presentations programmes, and the news has us imagining exciting possibilities of what a vibrant film-filled September may look like. 

The Festival will open on Thursday, September 9 with Dear Evan Hansen, screening at Roy Thomson Hall, as well as additional screenings happening at the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre, the RBC Lakeside Drive-In at Ontario Place, and digitally too! In a time where comfort levels vary, it’s nice to see a variety of options that also offer increased levels of accessibility, compared to previous years.

Based on the award-winning musical, Dear Evan Hansen is directed by Stephen Chbosky and the stellar cast includes Ben Platt, as Evan, along with Amy Adams, Julianne Moore, Kaitlyn Dever, Amandla Stenberg, and Nik Dodani. The film tells the story of a high-school senior Evan, dealing with the difficult challenges that come with a debilitating anxiety disorder. It’s a theme that everyone, regardless of being a parent or student, has considered during the pandemic.

“This film is ultimately about healing, forgiveness, and reaffirms how connected and essential we all are to one another. We couldn’t think of a more important idea to celebrate this year as we come together once again to share the power and joy of cinema in theatres together,” said Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director and Co-Head, TIFF. We’re certain that the sound of a live audience clapping will be a source of healing, in and of itself. 

Still from Zhang Yimou’s ONE SECOND.

TIFF also announced that this year’s Closing Night Gala film will be One Second, by acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou (Raise the Red Lantern, Hero), describing it as “a love letter to movies and a reminder of how they can unite people, regardless of our differences.” 

The entire list of Gala and Special Presentations is cause for excitement, but there are definitely certain titles that jump off the screen and light us up. Some that were already announced, and other titles unveiled today.

Still from Danis Goulet’s NIGHT RAIDERS.

Our ever-growing must-see list includes Alison Klayman’s Jagged (a documentary about Alanis Morrisette), Justine Batemen’s directorial debut Violet, starring Oliva Munn (have you read Bateman’s book FACE: One Square Foot Of Skin yet?), and of course, the highly anticipated documentary Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over, directed by Dave Wooley and David Heilbroner. In homegrown buzz, we’re eager to watch Danis Goulet’s Night Raiders, starring Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, and Michael McGowan’s All My Puny Sorrows, based on the book by Canadian best-selling author Miriam Toews (who co-wrote the adapted screenplay), starring Sarah Gadon.

Still from Justine Bateman’s VIOLET

World premieres we’re especially pumped for include Michael Showalter’s The Eyes of Tammy Faye and Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast. The idea of potentially taking kids we love to their first TIFF film to see Clifford the Big Red Dog is also a vision that pleases us.

Like all Festival announcements, the news inspired us to plunge into a thrilling multi-layered Google search, finding trailers, film facts and other tantalizing bits of info to feed our curiosity. If you’re a bonafide cinephile, then you ought to watch and discuss the trailer for Clio Barnard’s Ali and Alva. If you’re in the mood for a full-body visceral reaction, this chilling trailer for Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho will get your heart racing.

Here’s the full list of films that have been announced so far: 

GALA PRESENTATIONS 2021

*previously announced 

*Belfast Kenneth Branagh | United Kingdom 

World Premiere

 Clifford the Big Red Dog Walt Becker | USA/United Kingdom/Canada

World Premiere

Opening Night Film.

Dear Evan Hansen Stephen Chbosky | USA

World Premiere

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain Will Sharpe | United Kingdom

Canadian Premiere

The Eyes of Tammy Faye Michael Showalter | USA 

World Premiere

*Jagged Alison Klayman | USA 

World Premiere

 *Last Night in Soho Edgar Wright | United Kingdom

North American Premiere

*The Mad Women’s Ball (Le Bal des folles) Mélanie Laurent | France

World Premiere

*Night Raiders Danis Goulet | Canada/New Zealand

North American Premiere

Closing Night Film.

One Second Zhang Yimou | China

North American Premiere

The Survivor Barry Levinson | USA/Canada/Hungary

World Premiere

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 2021

*previously announced 

Ali & Ava Clio Barnard | United Kingdom 

North American Premiere

 All My Puny Sorrows Michael McGowan | Canada

World Premiere 

*Benediction Terence Davies | United Kingdom

World Premiere

Bergman Island Mia Hansen-Løve | France

International Premiere

*Charlotte Eric Warin, Tahir Rana | Canada/France/Belgium

World Premiere

*Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over Dave Wooley, David Heilbroner | USA

World Premiere

Drive My Car Ryusuke Hamaguchi | Japan 

North American Premiere

Encounter Michael Pearce | United Kingdom/USA 

International Premiere

*The Guilty Antoine Fuqua | USA

World Premiere

I’m Your Man Maria Schrader | Germany 

North American Premiere

Inexorable Fabrice du Welz | Belgium/France 

International Premiere

*Lakewood Phillip Noyce | Canada 

World Premiere

The Middle Man Bent Hamer | Norway/Canada/Germany/Denmark

World Premiere

Official Competition (Competencia Oficial) Mariano Cohn, Gastón Duprat | Spain/Argentina

North American Premiere

Paris, 13th District (Les Olympiades) Jacques Audiard | France

North American Premiere

 *Petite Maman Céline Sciamma | France 

Canadian Premiere

*The Starling Theodore Melfi | USA

World Premiere

The Story of My Wife Ildikó Enyedi | Hungary/Germany/Italy/France 

North American Premiere

Three Floors (Tre Piani) Nanni Moretti | Italy/France

North American Premiere

Violet Justine Bateman | USA 

International Premiere

The Worst Person In The World (Verdens Verste Menneske) Joachim Trier | Norway/France/Sweden/Denmark

North American Premiere

TIFF Digital TIFF Packages are available to purchase now. Digital film selection starts August 29 for TIFF Members and September 1 for the public. More info at TIFF.net.