The 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) will showcase a prestigious selection of films, including Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and Baz Luhrmann’s documentary EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert. The festival, set to run from September 4 to 14, will premiere over 80 new titles across its Galas and Special Presentations sections, underscoring TIFF’s continuous role as a vital platform for major films and acclaimed filmmakers.
The newly announced lineup also includes Edward Berger’s Ballad of a Small Player, Bobby Farrelly’s Driver’s Ed, Brian Cox’s Glenrothan, Gus Van Sant’s Dead Man’s Wire, and Richard Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague. These selections join an already impressive roster of 17 previously revealed titles, featuring renowned directors like Chloé Zhao, Derek Cianfrance, and Steven Soderbergh.
Many World and North American Premieres Enhance Festival’s Diversity
More than 30 of the freshly announced films will have their world premieres at TIFF, marking a variety of genres and storytelling styles. Driver’s Ed, starring Kumail Nanjiani and Sam Nivola, and David Mackenzie’s Fuze with Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Theo James are among the notable debuts. The lineup also boasts James Vanderbilt’s Nuremberg featuring Rami Malek and Russell Crowe, and Jonatan Etzler’s Bad Apples starring Saoirse Ronan.
Alice Winocour’s Couture with Angelina Jolie and Romain Gavras’ Sacrifice, showcasing Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Evans, further solidify TIFF 2025’s commitment to presenting compelling narratives. Films like David Michôd’s Christy, with Sydney Sweeney, will contribute unique voices to the festival’s program.
Festival Screenings Reflect Previous Prestigious Showings
Some festival selections have already garnered attention at other prominent events. For instance, Clint Bentley’s Sundance success Train Dreams will be screened alongside Cannes titles such as Jafar Panahi’s Palme d’Or winner It Was Just an Accident and Joachim Trier’s Grand Prix-winning Sentimental Value. Richard Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague will also be featured after its Cannes appearance, alongside Scarlett Johansson’s Eleanor the Great and Kleber Mendonça Filho’s The Secret Agent.
Canadian director Anne Émond’s Peak Everything, a black comedy well-received at Cannes, will serve as the festival’s closing-night film, highlighting Canada’s robust cinematic contributions.
Diverse Filmmakers and Actor-Directors Add Variety to TIFF’s 2025 Slate
The 2025 TIFF lineup includes several films by directors known primarily as actors, demonstrating a broadening of roles within the industry. Aziz Ansari presents Good Fortune, Brian Cox debuts Glenrothan, Alex Winter introduces Adulthood, Maude Apatow offers Poetic License, and James McAvoy’s California Schemin’ is among the anticipated titles.
Documentaries receiving attention include Ally Pankiw’s Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery, Nick Davis’ exploration You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution…, and Lisa Rideout’s Degrassi: Whatever It Takes. Baz Luhrmann’s follow-up to his acclaimed Elvis film, EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, blends concert performances with behind-the-scenes insights and personal reflections from Elvis Presley himself.
Premieres and Prior Festival Screenings Indicate TIFF’s Global Film Position
While Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is designated as a North American premiere at TIFF, it is expected to debut earlier at Venice, alongside Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine. Similarly, films including Hamnet, Ballad of a Small Player, and Daniel Roher’s Tuner carry Canadian premiere tags due to prior presentations at festivals such as Telluride and possibly Venice. These scheduling arrangements emphasize TIFF’s role as a significant festival that complements other major international events.
Featured Films in Gala Section Reflect a Range of Narratives and Talent
The Gala program boasts a mix of world, North American, and Canadian premieres. Highlights include Alex Winter’s world premiere Adulthood, Nicholas Hytner’s The Choral, Bobby Farrelly’s Driver’s Ed, and Scarlett Johansson’s Eleanor the Great, which is a North American premiere. Other notable entries are David Freyne’s Eternity, David Mackenzie’s Fuze, Brian Cox’s Glenrothan, and Aziz Ansari’s Good Fortune.
The Galas also feature Chloé Zhao’s anticipated Canadian premiere Hamnet, Colin Hanks’ documentary John Candy: I Like Me (opening the festival), and the closing film Peak Everything by Anne Émond. Films like Derek Cianfrance’s Roofman, Rachel Lee Goldenberg’s Swiped, and Arnaud Desplechin’s Two Pianos round out the offerings, ensuring a dynamic and diverse showcase.
Special Presentations Include World and Regional Premieres from Renowned Directors
The Special Presentations lineup adds films such as Jonatan Etzler’s world premiere Bad Apples, Edward Berger’s Canadian premiere Ballad of a Small Player, and James McAvoy’s world premiere California Schemin’. It also features Maryam Touzani’s North American premiere Calle Malaga and Alejandro Amenábar’s world premiere The Captive.
Other significant premieres include Steven Soderbergh’s The Christophers, David Michôd’s Christy, Alice Winocour’s Couture, Gus Van Sant’s North American premiere Dead Man’s Wire, and Lisa Rideout’s documentary Degrassi: Whatever It Takes. The drone of new voices is represented by Yaniv Raz’s Eternal Return, Agnieszka Holland’s world premiere Franz, and Nia DaCosta’s world premiere Hedda.
Noteworthy inclusions also consist of Anurag Kashyap’s Monkey in a Cage, Richard Linklater’s TIFF Canadian premiere Nouvelle Vague, and Rian Johnson’s world premiere mystery Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.
Documentaries and Anniversary Restorations Enrich the Festival Experience
Several documentaries offer fresh perspectives, such as Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine and the 50th anniversary restoration of Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay, which will be featured in the Galas section as a North American premiere. Additional documentaries like Nick Davis’ You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution… provide historic and cultural insight, while Baz Luhrmann’s new film allows audiences to reconnect with Elvis Presley through rare concert footage and personal narratives.
Looking Ahead: Anticipation Builds for Full Festival Slate
TIFF organizers announced that more films will be revealed in phased announcements from late July to early August, building momentum ahead of the festival’s opening in early September. As TIFF approaches its 50th anniversary, the strong lineup reflects its enduring influence in the global cinema landscape, serving as an essential event for filmmakers, actors, and cinephiles alike.
