Get ready for the 48th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, because the show must go on! Despite the ongoing strikes by WGA and SAG-AFTRA, TIFF has announced the first 60 feature films for this year’s lineup, with over 200 titles expected in total. Last year, they showcased a whopping 260 full-length films, so you can expect a jam-packed schedule. TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey has promised us a “bumper crop” of acquisition titles, and he wasn’t kidding. There are 39 movies up for grabs, with distribution rights available both domestically and internationally. Around 18 of these films even have U.S. rights up for grabs. While there may not be as many awards contenders from the big studios, there is no shortage of star-studded independent films that are sure to impress. However, whether or not actors will be able to attend the red carpet premieres is still up in the air, depending on the progress of the strikes. But don’t worry, TIFF is determined to deliver an unforgettable festival experience from September 7-17. So mark your calendars and get ready for a cinematic extravaganza!
In the midst of all the strike drama, awards strategists are keeping a close eye on the situation. If the strikes aren’t resolved by mid-August, it’s unlikely that we’ll see many stars attending Toronto, Venice, or Telluride for their motion picture and streaming features. The question now is whether TIFF will focus more on awards titles or Q3 and Q4 tentpole films. But rest assured, none of the studios are pulling out of the festival. Unfortunately, the Venice Film Festival wasn’t as lucky and lost its big opening-night title, “Challengers,” starring Zendaya, due to the strikes. MGM had to push the release of the Luca Guadagnino-directed romance to the end of April because Zendaya couldn’t promote the film. Let’s hope that TIFF doesn’t face a similar setback.
Speaking of awards contenders, TIFF will be premiering some highly anticipated films. Sony Pictures will be showcasing “Dumb Money,” directed by Craig Gillespie, which is set to hit theaters on September 22. The film tells the story of everyday people who turned GameStop into a meme stock phenomenon. With a star-studded cast including Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Pete Davidson, and more, this film is definitely one to watch out for.
But that’s not all! Focus Features will be presenting “The Holdovers” from Alexander Payne, which was acquired by Universal at last year’s TIFF for a whopping $30 million. The film will make its international premiere before its limited release on October 27. Starring Paul Giamatti, the film follows a curmudgeonly teacher at a prep school in 1970 who has to oversee the students left behind during Christmas break. It’s bound to be a heartwarming and entertaining film.
Netflix is also bringing a slew of awards possibilities to TIFF. From Emily Blunt and Chris Evans’ “Pain Hustlers” to Frances Fisher, Alicia Silverstone, and Benicio Del Toro’s “Reptile,” there’s no shortage of talent in their lineup. Other notable films include “Rustin” with Chris Rock and Colman Domingo, “Nyad” starring Annette Bening, Jodie Foster, and Rhys Ifans, and the thriller “Fair Play.” MGM is also showcasing “American Fiction” directed by Cord Jefferson, and Amazon Studios has “The Burial” directed by Maggie Betts.
And let’s not forget about Apple, who will be presenting John Carney’s “Flora and Son.” Plus, there will be a return of many Cannes-winning titles, such as “Anatomy of a Fall,” “The Zone of Interest,” “Monster,” and “La Chimera.” With such an incredible lineup, TIFF is sure to be a film lover’s paradise.
So get ready to immerse yourself in the magic of cinema at the Toronto International Film Festival. It’s going to be a wild ride!Among the star-driven acquisition titles that have U.S. or North American rights available, there’s Lee starring Kate Winslet, Andrea Riseborough and Alexander Skarsgard. This film follows the life of photographer Elizabeth “Lee” Miller, a fashion model who became an acclaimed war correspondent for Vogue during World War II.
Another exciting film is Mahalia Belo’s The End We Start From starring Jodie Comer, Katherine Waterston, and Benedict Cumberbatch. The logline for this film is intriguing: When an environmental crisis causes London to be submerged by flood waters, a young family is torn apart in the chaos. As a woman and her newborn try to find their way home, the profound novelty of motherhood is brought into sharp focus in this intimate and poetic portrayal of family survival.
If you’re a fan of Richard Linklater, you’ll be excited to know that his film Hitman is available, starring Glen Powell from Top Gun: Maverick.
But it’s not just the actors who are making waves at the festival. There are also many stars directing behind the camera. Some of the world premieres include Tony Goldwyn’s Ezra starring Robert De Niro, Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale, Vera Farmiga, and Whoopi Goldberg (worldwide rights available); Chris Pine’s Poolman, starring the Star Trek star, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Danny DeVito, and Annette Bening (some rights available); Viggo Mortensen’s The Dead Don’t Hurt with Vicky Krieps, Garret Dillahunt, and Danny Huston (North American available); and Anna Kenrick’s Woman of the Hour (U.S. available).
There are also some highly anticipated directorial debuts. Kristin Scott Thomas makes her feature directorial debut with North Star, starring Sienna Miller and Scarlett Johansson alongside Scott Thomas (foreign rights available). And Michael Keaton directs the thrilling film Knox Goes Away, about a contract killer diagnosed with a fast-moving form of dementia who has a chance to redeem himself by saving the life of his estranged adult son. The film stars Al Pacino, James Marsden, Marcia Gay Harden, and Keaton (U.S. rights available).
With the recent agreement between the DGA and AMPTP, directors can now show up at festivals to promote their work. This means that multihyphenates like Martin Scorsese and Wes Anderson, who had films at Cannes, can now do press for their films.
The Gala and Special Presentations programs at the festival feature a total of 60 official selections from 70 countries. Today’s lineup includes 37 World Premieres, seven International Premieres, 12 North American Premieres, and four Canadian Premieres.
Festival director Cameron Bailey expressed his excitement about this year’s lineup, stating, “This year’s Galas & Special Presentations showcase a rich tapestry of talent, vision, and storytelling. From thought-provoking narratives to breathtaking visuals and stories so unreal they have to be real, each work embodies the power of cinema to inspire, challenge, and move audiences. Get ready to experience an unforgettable celebration of film and a memorable and star-studded festival, showcasing the best of global cinema for film lovers in September.”
Here are some of the Gala Presentations and Special Presentations at the festival:
GALA PRESENTATIONS 2023
– Concrete Utopia Um Tae-Hwa | South Korea (North American Premiere)
– Dumb Money Craig Gillespie | USA (World Premiere)
– Fair Play Chloe Domont | USA (International Premiere)
– Flora and Son John Carney | Ireland/USA (Canadian Premiere)
– Hate to Love: Nickelback Leigh Brooks | Canada (World Premiere)
– Lee Ellen Kuras | United Kingdom (World Premiere)
– *Next Goal Wins Taika Waititi | USA (World Premiere)
– Nyad Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin | USA (International Premiere)
– Punjab ’95 Honey Trehan | India (World Premiere)
– Solo Sophie Dupuis | Canada (World Premiere)
– The End We Start From Mahalia Belo | United Kingdom (World Premiere)
– The Movie Emperor Ning Hao | China (World Premiere)
– The New Boy Warwick Thornton | Australia (North American Premiere)
– The Royal Hotel Kitty Green | Australia/United Kingdom (Canadian Premiere)
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
– A Difficult Year Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache | France (International Premiere)
– A Normal Family Hur Jin-ho | South Korea (World Premiere)
– American Fiction Cord Jefferson | USA (World Premiere)
– Anatomy of a Fall Justine Triet | France (Canadian Premiere)
– Close to You Dominic Savage | Canada/United Kingdom (World Premiere)
– Days of Happiness Chloé Robichaud | Canada (World Premiere)
– El Rapto Daniela Goggi | Argentina (North American Premiere)
– Ezra Tony Goldwyn | USA (World Premiere)
