The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has unveiled eleven more films for its Official Selections lineup, including Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, which will have its World Premiere. The announcement adds to the excitement ahead of the festival scheduled for September 4–14, 2025, highlighting a diverse set of films across Gala and Special Presentations programs.
This year’s debuts also include Paul Greengrass’ The Lost Bus, premiering globally, and Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, making its Canadian Premiere. These selections reaffirm TIFF’s focus on presenting works from established and emerging directors worldwide, emphasizing a rich mix of perspectives and storytelling traditions.
Diverse and Acclaimed Lineup Showcased in Gala and Special Presentations
The newly announced films reflect TIFF’s ongoing dedication to curating an international festival that celebrates cinematic innovation and cultural variety. Alongside Johnson’s highly anticipated mystery, the Gala section features works like Nicholas Hytner’s The Choral from the UK, Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound from India, and Rebecca Zlotowski’s A Private Life from France. Each contributes to a broad geographical and thematic range.
Special Presentations further underline this global scope with premieres such as Agnieszka Holland’s Franz representing Central Europe, the U.S. and Japanese co-produced Rental Family by HIKARI, and Clement Virgo’s Steal Away from Canada and Belgium. Films in this group encompass a variety of storytelling styles and voices, capturing a snapshot of today’s global cinema.
Official Selections: A Catalog of Anticipated Premieres
The Gala Presentations, listed alphabetically, include:
- The Choral by Nicholas Hytner (UK) – World Premiere
- Homebound by Neeraj Ghaywan (India) – North American Premiere
- Hamnet by Chloé Zhao (UK) – Canadian Premiere
- A Private Life by Rebecca Zlotowski (France) – North American Premiere
- Roofman by Derek Cianfrance (USA) – World Premiere
- She Has No Name by Peter Ho-Sun Chan (China) – North American Premiere
For Special Presentations, the films include:
- Franz by Agnieszka Holland (Czech Republic/Germany/Poland) – World Premiere
- The Lost Bus by Paul Greengrass (USA) – World Premiere
- Rental Family by HIKARI (USA/Japan) – World Premiere
- Steal Away by Clement Virgo (Canada/Belgium) – World Premiere
- Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery by Rian Johnson (USA) – World Premiere
Festival Leadership Highlights the Program’s Global Vision
TIFF’s Chief Programming Officer, Anita Lee, emphasized the festival’s mission to present films that expand viewers’ perspectives and foster connection.
“Since its inception, TIFF has championed global cinema that opens our eyes and brings us together,”
she said.
“We are delighted to share 11 more titles from our Gala and Special Presentations programmes that showcase the remarkable originality and excellence of today’s most exciting and acclaimed directors. These films reflect a sweeping range of voices and styles that embodies the spirit of TIFF and our commitment to a public audience.”
—Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF
Continuing a Legacy of Discovery and Celebration
The 50th edition of the festival underscores TIFF’s five-decade dedication to uncovering and elevating outstanding films from around the world. With Rogers sponsoring the event, the festival continues to serve as a critical platform for international filmmakers to showcase their work to enthusiastic audiences in Toronto and beyond.
Further announcements will arrive in phases throughout July and August, offering detailed lineups for various festival strands, including Platform, Jury, Discovery, and Midnight Madness. This staged reveal will heighten anticipation among cinephiles and industry professionals eager to experience the full festival program. The complete schedule is expected to be released on August 12, 2025.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Rian Johnson direct Star Wars episode 8?
A. After his third movie, Looper, Rian Johnson met with Kathleen Kennedy, who had recently become Lucasfilm’s president. Following a second meeting, Johnson was invited to direct Episode VIII of the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
