#TIFF: “CHRISTOPHER NOLAN: GRAND DESIGNS” RUNS JULY 8-AUGUST 20

TIFF invites audiences to explore time, memory, and bold new worlds through two upcoming marquee series at TIFF Lightbox: Christopher Nolan: Grand Designs (July 8–August 20) presented by Air France, and a fall anime series titled Drawn Universes: Visions in Animation guest-curated by acclaimed Japanese director Masaaki Yuasa. Presented ahead of this summer’s premiere of The Odyssey, the Nolan retrospective celebrates the Oscar-winning, self-taught filmmaker with screenings of his work, exclusively on 35mm and 70mm film. Nolan made his directorial debut with Following in the Discovery section at TIFF ’98, and he last returned for TIFF ’17 with a special screening of Dunkirk in celebration of IMAX’s 50th anniversary. To launch the TIFF series, The Ringer and Spotify’s The Big Picture will host a live recording of their podcast at TIFF Lightbox with Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins, marking the first time an episode will be recorded in Canada.

“The marquee series at TIFF Lightbox was envisioned to present big artists and ideas that capture and shape popular imagination,” said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. “Christopher Nolan is one of the most influential voices in contemporary cinema today where each new film is a cultural event, while anime continues to explode as an art force shaping global entertainment across mediums. These programmes offer audiences of all ages a compelling look at the scale, creativity, and innovation that define film today.”

“We’ve enjoyed many hours of lively conversation around Christopher Nolan’s films, so we’re thrilled to join TIFF for this summer’s series,” said Fennessey and Dobbins. “We can’t wait to bring our show to Canada for the first time to record a very special episode and screen one of our Nolan faves, Tenet, for Toronto movie lovers.”

Christopher Nolan: Grand Designs

July 8–Aug 20, Presented by Air France

Tenet (2020)

Christopher Nolan: Grand Designs anchors TIFF’s summer programming with multiple screenings of all 12 of Nolan’s directed features, including many presented in stunning 70mm in Cinema 1, the Lightbox’s largest and most technically advanced cinema. Alongside the films, TIFF’s marquee series features a lineup of special guests and events, beginning with The Big Picture’s live podcast recording on July 8, followed by a deep dive on Tenet (July 9) with co-hosts Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins.

Additional programming includes a Silver Screenings presentation of The Right Stuff (July 24), a film Nolan cited as one of his favourites, preceded by an in‑cinema talk from a space exploration expert along with a free pop‑up planetarium activation in the Lightbox atrium, which will also be available ahead of each screening of Interstellar; these events are all presented in partnership with Space Place Canada and Astronomy in Action. A Quote Along screening of Barbie will take place directly before Oppenheimer (July 18) as a playful nod to the Summer of 2023’s “Barbenheimer.” Rounding out the lineup is the free and interactive Introduction to Film Formats event (July 12), which will explore the art and craft of analogue film, programmed in collaboration with IMAX. For more information, visit tiff.net/nolan.

Nolan Films & Events:

July 8, 7pm: The Big Picture: Live from TIFF Lightbox

July 9, 7pm: Tenet (2020) in 70mm, with Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

July 10, 6:30pm: Memento (2000) in 35mm

July 11, 4pm: Following (1998) in 35mm with guest Adam Nayman

July 12, 3pm: Oppenheimer (2023) in 70mm

July 14, 6pm: Tenet (2020) in 70mm

July 16, 6pm: The Prestige (2006) in 35mm with Scott Hammell, magician and stunt artist

July 17, 6pm:Following (1998) in 35mm

July 18, 4pm: Oppenheimer (2023) in 70mm

July 19, 3pm: Memento (2000) in 35mm

July 19, 7pm: Tenet (2020) in 70mm

July 22, 7pm: Oppenheimer (2023) in 70mm

July 25, 3pm: Inception (2010) in 35mm, with a pre-screening discussion with Nolan author and journalist Dan Jolin

July 26, 3pm: The Prestige (2006) in 35mm

July 28, 6:30pm: Insomnia (2002) in 35mm

July 31, 6pm: Batman Begins (2005) in 35mm

August 1, 6pm: The Dark Knight (2008) in 35mm, with recorded introduction by Academy Award-winning sound designer Richard King

August 2, 6pm: The Dark Knight Rises (2012) in 35mm, with recorded introduction by Dan Jolin

August 6, 6:30pm: Inception (2010) in 35mm

August 7, 6:30pm:Interstellar (2014) in 70mm

August 8, 3pm: Batman Begins (2005) in 35mm

August 9, 4pm: Interstellar (2014) in 70mm

August 12, 6pm: Dunkirk (2017) in 70mm, with recorded introduction by Dan Jolin

August 14: 6pm: Insomnia (2002) in 35mm

August 15, 3:30pm: The Dark Knight (2008) in 35mm, recorded introduction by Academy Award-winning sound designer Richard King

August 15, 8pm: The Dark Knight Rises (2012) in 35mm, with recorded introduction by Dan Jolin

August 16, 4pm: Dunkirk (2017) in 70mm, with recorded introduction by Dan Jolin

August 18, 7:30pm: Interstellar (2014) in 70mm

August 20, 5:30pm: Dunkirk (2017) in 70mm preceded by Nolan Trivia, presented by Air France

Tickets for Christopher Nolan: Grand Designs July programming will be available for TIFF Members on Thursday, June 11 at 12pm, and to the public on Friday, June 12. Tickets for August programming will be available for TIFF Members on Thursday, July 16 at 12pm, and to the public on Friday, July 17. To learn more, visit tiff.net/membership.

Drawn Universes: Visions in Animation

November & December (specific dates to be announced at a later time)

A black and while headshot photo of Masaaki Yuasa
Masaaki Yuasa

Masaaki Yuasa, one of Japan’s most celebrated and influential anime filmmakers, will guest-curate TIFF’s fall marquee series, Drawn Universes: Visions in Animation. Building on the success of TIFF’s 2023 Pop Japan! marquee and expanding on TIFF Cinematheque’s ongoing Animate programme, the series will present a sweeping survey of animation, spanning years of groundbreaking storytelling, artistry, and innovation.

“It is an honour to curate this series for TIFF,” said Masaaki Yuasa. “I am looking forward to finally meeting the Toronto audience that I have heard so much about. As I begin shaping the lineup, I am excited to look back at the works that sparked my own imagination from a young age, and to curate a series with a focus on the artists who have defined the genre and the incredible creators who continue to push the visual possibilities of anime today. I hope to bring a programme that truly surprises and delights everyone.”

Masaaki Yuasa is an acclaimed Japanese animator, creator and director known for his visually inventive and genre-defying work across film and television. After beginning his career on series including Crayon Shin-chan, he made his feature directorial debut with Mind Game (2004), which earned major international acclaim and multiple awards. He later directed celebrated works including The Tatami Galaxy, Ping Pong the Animation, Night Is Short, Walk On Girl, Lu Over the Wall, Devilman Crybaby, and Inu-Oh. In 2013, he co-founded the animation studio Science SARU, and in 2021 he received Japan’s Medal with Purple Ribbon for his contributions to the arts. In 2025, Yuasa launched his own animation studio, ame pippin.

TIFF’s July/August Programming will be announced tomorrow: Wednesday, May 27 at 12pm ET.

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About TIFF:

TIFF is a not-for-profit cultural organization with a mission to transform the way people see the world through film. A global leader in film and entertainment, TIFF initiatives include the annual Toronto International Film Festival® in September; TIFF Lightbox, which features five cinemas, plus learning and entertainment facilities; the Donald Shebib TIFF Film Circuit, an innovative national distribution program; and TIFF: The Market launching in 2026. The organization generates an estimated annual economic impact of $240 million CAD. TIFF Lightbox is generously supported by contributors including the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada, the City of Toronto, the Reitman family (Ivan Reitman, Agi Mandel, and Susan Michaels), The Daniels Corporation, and RBC. For more information, visit tiff.net.

TIFF is generously supported by Major Sponsors RBC and Visa

and Major Supporters the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the City of Toronto.

Christopher Nolan: Grand Designs is presented by Air France.