TIFF is just around the corner, and the iconic Canadian film festival is celebrating 50 years of bringing the best in cinema to Toronto audiences. In less than two weeks, the city will be buzzing with hundreds of film premieres, celebrity appearances, and tons of cinephiles gathering to celebrate their love of film. 

While there are so many films at TIFF to choose from, at SheDoesTheCity, we’re always looking out for titles with strong, complex, and multi-faceted women and gender diverse folks at the helm. In the 20 titles below, you’ll find beautiful and urgent Indigenous stories (the most ever from Canada at TIFF), reimaginings of iconic books and plays, behind-the-scenes looks at cultural phenomena like Lilith Fair and Degrassi, and so much more.

With plenty of stars like Tessa Thompson, Angelina Jolie, Lily James, and Amanda Seyfried front and centre, exciting directorial debuts from the likes of Scarlett Johansson and Maude Apatow, and so much talent from emerging and established filmmakers alike, this year is shaping up to be an incredible showcase of women and gender diverse talent in film. 

The Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 4-14, and the full schedule of films and special events is live now. Tickets are available to TIFF members now, and to the public starting on August 25. 

Read on for our top 20 picks coming to TIFF 2025:

Couture – dir. Alice Winocour 

American director Maxine (Angelina Jolie) is skeptical about the world of fashion, but accepts a job to create a video for a Paris fashion show. Faced with a personal health crisis, her life intersects with two other women in the fashion industry, and each must make a life-changing decision. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 7, Sept. 8, Sept. 12, Sept. 13. More info.

Eleanor the Great – dir. Scarlett Johansson

In Scarlett Johansson’s feature directorial debut, 94-year-old Eleanor moves to New York after the death of her best friend, Bessie. When she stumbles upon a support group for Holocaust survivors, Eleanor opens up, passing off Bessie’s story as her own. June Squibb is the lead of this thoughtful and funny film.

Public Screenings: Sept. 8, Sept. 9, Sept. 12, Sept. 14. More info.

Hamnet – dir. Chloé Zhao

Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao returns with Hamnet, a drama exploring the life of William Shakespeare, told through the perspective of his wife, Agnes. Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley star as The Bard and his wife coping with the death of their son, Hamnet, at the same time as Shakespeare penned one of his most famous tragedies.

Public Screenings: Sept. 7, Sept. 8, Sept. 11, Sept. 13. More info.

Hedda – dir. Nia DaCosta

The iconic play Hedda Gabler is reimagined in mid-century England, with Tessa Thompson embodying the titular character. Newlywed Hedda convinces her husband to throw a lavish party they cannot afford…and sees her guests as pawns in her elaborate chess game. Nia DaCosta directs this fresh, feminist twist on a classic story.

Public Screenings: Sept. 7, Sept. 8, Sept. 12, Sept. 13. More info.

If I Had Legs I’d Kick You – dir. Mary Bronstein

If I Had Legs I’d Kick You follows a working wife and mother under extreme stress as her life crumbles down around her…literally. Caring for her sick daughter, navigating an absent husband, a missing person, and a hole in her ceiling, the pressure is closing in on Linda (Rose Byrne). Mary Bronstein directs this gripping psychological dramedy. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 12, Sept. 13. More info.

Julian – dir. Cato Kusters

Julian tells the true-life love story of Fleur and Julian, two women who embark on a quest for marriage equality around the world. Hoping to raise awareness about the number of places where gay marriage is illegal, the couple sets out to say “I do” in every country they can, encountering challenges neither of them expected along the way. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 6, Sept. 7, Sept. 13. More info.

Poetic License – dir. Maude Apatow

College seniors and longtime friends Ari and Sam are very different. When Liz, a middle-aged mom, audits their poetry class, both boys fall for her, creating hilarious complications, but also unexpected companionship. The feature debut from Euphoria’s Maude Apatow promises to be an equal parts touching and funny flick. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 6, Sept. 7, Sept. 12, Sept. 14. More info.

Swiped – dir. Rachel Lee Goldenberg

Based on the real-life story of Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd, played by Lily James, Swiped chronicles Herd’s journey to becoming the world’s youngest female billionaire. As part of the team that built Tinder, she navigated the toxic boys’ clubs of Silicon Valley before leaving to develop a dating app that would finally empower women. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 9, Sept. 10, Sept. 12. More info.

The Testament of Ann Lee – dir. Mona Fastvold

Amanda Seyfried leads this deep dive into the story of Ann Lee, a seminal American religious figure and the founder of the Shaker movement. This feature from Mona Fastvold traces back to Lee’s childhood and early adult traumas that shaped her religious beliefs and led to her establishing a base of devoted followers.  

Public Screenings: Sept. 9, Sept. 10. More info.

Canadian Titles:

Blood Lines – dir. Gail Maurice

This queer romance and celebration of Métis culture is the second feature from director Gail Maurice. When Chani (Derica Lafrance) arrives in a Métis community in search of her biological family, storyteller and store clerk Beatrice (Dana Solomon) is instantly drawn to her. Meanwhile, a group of older women known as “The Grannies” urge Beatrice to mend her relationship with her mother. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 8, Sept. 10. More info.

Degrassi: Whatever it Takes – dir. Lisa Rideout

Degrassi changed teen TV forever, and this documentary dives deep into the history and phenomenon of the iconic Canadian franchise. Director Lisa Rideout shares perspectives from the show’s creators, writers, superfans, and cast members (including Aubrey Drake Graham) in this fascinating look at the iconic classrooms and hallways that entertained a generation. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 13, Sept. 14. More info.

Dinner With Friends – dir. Sasha Leigh Henry

Sasha Leigh Henry’s feature debut explores the complexities of adult friendships, following eight longtime friends over a series of dinner parties. Full of surprises, tension, inside jokes, and hurt feelings, the dinner parties offer a window into this fractured friend group, as they share the joys, pains, and mundane moments of adult life.

Public Screenings: Sept. 5, Sept. 9, Sept. 14. More info. 

Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery – dir. Ally Pankiw

Take in the groundbreaking story of the iconic music festival that dared to feature only women artists. Director Ally Pankiw documents the three-year run of Lilith Fair, which was founded by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan in 1997 in response to sexist industry norms. With interviews from stars including Bonnie Raitt and Olivia Rodrigo, archival footage, and behind-the-scenes content, this doc tells the story of the music festival that changed everything. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 13, Sept. 14. More info.

Mile End Kicks – dir. Chandler Levack

Chandler Levack returns with a romantic comedy set in Montreal’s Mile End neighbourhood. Euphoria’s Barbie Ferreira stars as Grace, a young music critic who leaves home, determined to write her next book—a deep dive into Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill. But along her journey of self-discovery, she falls in love with two men from the same rock band…and then becomes their publicist.

Public Screenings: Sept. 4, Sept. 9, Sept. 13. More info. 

Modern Whore – dir. Nicole Bazuin

In Modern Whore, director Nicole Bazuin and star and co-writer Andrea Werhun challenge misconceptions about sex work, taking viewers on a journey through Werhun’s experiences as an escort. Werhun (who consulted on Best Picture winner Anora) breaks the fourth wall to address not only the darker sides of the industry, but also to celebrate sex workers for all of their complexity and humanity. 

Public Screenings: Sept. 5, Sept. 7, Sept. 13. More info.

Nika & Madison – dir. Eva Thomas

Director Eva Thomas tells a story of resilience, survival, and justice through the lens of two Indigenous women. After a violent encounter with the police, childhood friends Nika and Madison flee their reserve, fearing they won’t be believed. But even on the run, systemic barriers are working against them at every turn.

Public Screenings: Sept. 7, Sept. 8. More info.

Out Standing – dir. Mélanie Charbonneau

Out Standing is the groundbreaking story of Sandra Perron, Canada’s first female infantry officer, and the institutional sexism that shaped her career in the military. In director Mélanie Charbonneau’s adaptation of Perron’s 2017 memoir, Nina Kiri stars as Perron, who finds herself forced to confront past traumas in this fierce story of resilience, courage, and endurance.

Public Screenings: Sept. 9, Sept. 11. More info.

Peak Everything – dir. Anne Émond

What better time to fall in love than at the end of the world? Grappling with severe climate anxiety, kennel owner Adam calls a support line and is introduced to Tina. As they connect over shared existential dread, an earthquake hits Tina’s town, and Adam embarks on a quest full of romance, adventure, and environmental disaster to meet the new love in his life. This unique rom-com from Montreal director Anne Émond is the closing night gala film at TIFF this year.

Public Screenings: Sept. 13. More info.

Steal Away – dir. Clement Virgo

Two young women are at the center of Clement Virgo’s latest psychological thriller. Fanny (Angourie Rice) is living in an isolated bubble of wealth when the charismatic Cécile (Mallori Johnson) enters her world, igniting her sexual awakening. Despite the troubles around them, Fanny and Cécile are drawn to each other, forming a strong bond that helps them fight against the dangers brewing in the world outside.

Public Screenings: Sept. 5, Sept. 6, Sept. 12. More info.

Wayward – dir. Mae Martin, Ryan Scott

Wayward, the latest limited series from Mae Martin, is a thrilling, genre-bending tale set in the cozy small town of Tall Pines. When detective Alex Dempsey (Martin) and his wife move to town, he connects with two rebellious teens from the local “correctional school”, run by a mysterious leader, Evelyn (Toni Collette). As Alex continues to investigate, he discovers that the town is hiding some sinister secrets, and Evelyn is at the centre of it all.

Public Screenings: Sept. 9, Sept. 11. More info. 

The 2025 Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 4-14. See the TIFF website for the full list and schedule of films.