The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a series of high-profile panel discussions, including a notable Dwayne Johnson TIFF panel discussion alongside Ryan Reynolds and Tessa Thompson. The event, running from September 4 to September 14, 2024, will showcase conversations about highly anticipated films and highlight significant creative collaborations.
Highlights of TIFF’s In Conversation With… Series
As part of TIFF 50’s In Conversation With… series, Ryan Reynolds is set to discuss John Candy: I Like Me, a documentary about the beloved Toronto-born actor and comedian John Candy. The documentary, which Reynolds produced with director Colin Hanks, will open the festival as its world premiere gala presentation. Reynolds, originally from Vancouver, will reflect on Candy’s life and career during the discussion.
Dwayne Johnson will lead a conversation about his new film The Smashing Machine, a dramatic biopic directed and written by Benny Safdie. Johnson portrays Matt Kerr, a former wrestler and mixed martial arts fighter whose life was the subject of the 2002 HBO documentary The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr. Alongside Johnson, Emily Blunt stars as Kerr’s then-wife, Dawn Staples, contributing to the film’s emotional core.
Tessa Thompson and Nia DaCosta Collaborate on New Adaptation
Tessa Thompson and director Nia DaCosta will be featured in a panel discussing their newest film Hedda. This project marks a reunion between the two, who previously partnered on 2018’s Little Woods. DaCosta adapted Henrik Ibsen’s classic play Hedda Gabler for the screen, with Thompson portraying the challenging titular character. Both Thompson and DaCosta have credits as producers, underscoring their joint creative investment in this film, which will have its world premiere at TIFF.
Park Chan-wook’s Latest Work and Industry Discussions
South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook is also featured in the In Conversation With… series, showcasing his new film No Other Choice during its North American premiere. He will speak alongside Don McKellar, his collaborator, less than a month after both were expelled from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) for continuing to work on their series The Sympathizer during the 2023 writers’ strike. Their panel will delve into the complexities of artistic expression within the current industry landscape.
TIFF: Close-Up Events and Youth Engagement
In addition to the In Conversation With… panels, TIFF has introduced the Close-Up series, designed to engage younger audiences. This year’s Close-Up event features co-stars Han So-hee and Jun Jong-seo discussing their film Project Y as part of an initiative aimed at attendees under 25 years old. The series seeks to foster deeper connections between filmmakers and audiences through focused discussions.
As we mark TIFF’s 50th edition, our programming continues to reflect our belief that film and creative expression can spark dialogue, challenge perspectives, and build connection,
stated Anita Lee, TIFF’s Chief Programming Officer.
From intimate ICWs and a Close-Up event with today’s biggest stars, to events designed to elevate and celebrate creative communities, we’re proud to offer Festival goers opportunities to further engage.
—Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF
The 50th Toronto International Film Festival promises a diverse array of discussions that highlight the intersection of film, culture, and industry challenges, reinforcing TIFF’s role as a major creative platform in the global film community.
