The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is set to celebrate its landmark 50th anniversary in 2025, promising an unforgettable 10 days. From September 4th to 14th, the festival will showcase over 300 films with a mix of world premieres, North American premieres and Canadian premieres, along with star-studded galas and special events. Whether you’re a seasoned cinephile or a first-time attendee, here’s everything you need to know to navigate the excitement of TIFF 2025.

The Movies

Still from John Candy documentary, titled John Candy: I Like Me, a highly anticipated title directed by Colin Hanks and produced by Ryan Reynolds.

Photo courtesy of TIFF.
Still from Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery directed by Rian Johnson, starring Daniel Craig.

Photo courtesy of TIFF.
Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine is an upcoming biographical sports drama directed by Benny Safdie and starring Dwayne Johnson as the legendary MMA and UFC artist Mark Kerr.

Photo courtesy of TIFF.
Still from Roofman, directed by Derek Cianfrance. Roofman stars Channing Tatum in the titular role.

Photo courtesy of TIFF.
Still from No Other Choice, a Gala Presentation at TIFF.

Photo courtesy of TIFF.
Oscar-winning director Edward Berger's Ballad of a Small Player, a psychological drama film.

Photo courtesy of TIFF.

TIFF: John Candy: I Like Me

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Photo courtesy of TIFF.

TIFF: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

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Photo courtesy of TIFF.

TIFF: The Smashing Machine

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Photo courtesy of TIFF.

TIFF: Roofman

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Photo courtesy of TIFF.

TIFF: No Other Choice

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Photo courtesy of TIFF.

TIFF: Ballad of a Small Player

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Photo courtesy of TIFF.

Highly anticipated films will be making their world premiere or North American premiere at the fest. The Ryan Reynolds-produced documentary John Candy: I Like Me will open the fest. Some highly anticipated titles include Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, Rian Johnson’s returns for a third installment of his whodunnit with Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, The Smashing Machine, Roofman, No Other Choice, Ballad of a Small Player and many more. TIFF galas, screenings and events are spread across several iconic Toronto venues, including Roy Thomson Hall, Princess of Wales Theatre, Royal Alexandra Theatre, TIFF Bell Lightbox and Scotiabank Theatre Toronto.

The Awards

Brendan Fraser, TIFF Honorary Chair. Photo by Chad Griffith, courtesy of TIFF.

Brendan Fraser, TIFF Honorary Chair. Photo by Chad Griffith, courtesy of TIFF.
Guillermo del Toro TIFF Ebert Director Award, presented by The Tory Family. Photo by John Wilson/Netflix, courtesy of TIFF.

Guillermo del Toro, TIFF Ebert Director Award. Presented by The Tory Family. Photo by John Wilson/Netflix, courtesy of TIFF.
Lee Byung Hun, TIFF Special Tribute Award. Photo courtesy of BH Entertainment.

Lee Byung Hun, TIFF Special Tribute Award. Photo courtesy of BH Entertainment.
Jodie Foster, TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award. Presented by Joanna Griffiths and the Women of Knix. Photo courtesy of Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

Jodie Foster, TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award. Presented by Joanna Griffiths and the Women of Knix. Photo courtesy of Creative Artists Agency (CAA).
Hikari, TIFF Emerging Talent Award. Presented by Amazon MGM Studios. Photo courtesy of TIFF.

Hikari, TIFF Emerging Talent Award. Presented by Amazon MGM Studios. Photo courtesy of TIFF.

TIFF Tribute Awards

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Brendan Fraser, TIFF Honorary Chair. Photo by Chad Griffith, courtesy of TIFF.

TIFF Tribute Awards

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Guillermo del Toro, TIFF Ebert Director Award. Presented by The Tory Family. Photo by John Wilson/Netflix, courtesy of TIFF.

TIFF Tribute Awards

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Lee Byung Hun, TIFF Special Tribute Award. Photo courtesy of BH Entertainment.

TIFF Tribute Awards

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Jodie Foster, TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award. Presented by Joanna Griffiths and the Women of Knix. Photo courtesy of Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

TIFF Tribute Awards

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Hikari, TIFF Emerging Talent Award. Presented by Amazon MGM Studios. Photo courtesy of TIFF.

TIFF will be handing out awards at the TIFF Tribute Awards gala on September 7. The 2025 ceremony is already shaping up to be a star-studded affair with acclaimed artists set to be recognized. Guillermo del Toro will receive the TIFF Ebert Director Award, Channing Tatum will receive the TIFF Tribute Performer Award, Idris Elba with the TIFF Tribute Award in Impact Media, Lee Byung Hun will receive a Special Tribute Award, Jodie Foster, Catherine O’Hara and Nina Hoss will also be recognized at the fest. 

Who’s Attending TIFF 2025?

Dylan O’Brien at the Red-Carpet World Premiere of Columbia Pictures’ SATURDAY NIGHT at the Toronto International Film Festival. Photo by Jade Green - 1
Dylan O’Brien at TIFF 2024 for “Saturday Night.” Photo by Jade Green.

The galas are a star-studded affair as the cast descends in Toronto for the red carpet and the Q&A following the screening. For most of the first public screenings (and sometimes even the second), directors will be in attendance for their films. Some Hollywood stars expected to attend this year include Channing Tatum, Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, Paul Mescal, Idris Elba, Benny Safdie, Dwayne Johnson, Angelina Jolie, Sydney Sweeney, Scarlett Johansson, Matthew McConaughey, Callum Turner and Miles Teller among others.

Beyond the Screenings: Special Events

Cameron Bailey gives an introduction for "The Shrouds" at TIFF at Roy Thomson Hall. Photo by Joanna Roselli, courtesy of TIFF.
Photo by Joanna Roselli, courtesy of TIFF.

TIFF is more than just movies. There’s the In Conversation With… events, a popular series of live, on-stage interviews with acclaimed actors and directors, offering fascinating insights into their careers and creative processes. This year, the festival has tapped Ryan Reynolds, Dwayne Johnson, Park Chan-wook, Tessa Thompson, and Nia DaCosta, Han So-hee and Jun Jong-seo. Additionally, for the opening weekend, a portion of King Street West will be transformed into a promenade with free screenings, musical performances, and interactive installations.