This patio season, Toronto’s top dining destinations are bringing their best outdoors. From waterfront tables and garden patios to lively terraces and cocktail-forward spaces, spots like Minami Toronto, Tondou Ramen, Favorites Thai, Lyla, Taberna LX, Bar Pompette, Bar Allegro, Little Sister, and Naari Thai BBQ offer standout ways to dine al fresco all summer long. Whether you’re after a sunny afternoon lunch or drinks that turn into dinner, each delivers a distinct patio experience worth booking.

Minami
IG. @minamitoronto
225 King St. W

Minami Toronto brings a polished, waterfront patio experience to the Harbourfront, offering a seamless blend of contemporary Japanese cuisine and vibrant city energy. Open from April through October, the patio accommodates approximately 40–50 guests and transitions effortlessly from relaxed daytime dining to lively summer evenings. Reservations can be made HERE.

At the core of the experience is Minami’s signature aburi-style sushi, paired with a menu that balances precision, premium ingredients, and visual artistry. Guests can explore a curated Happy Hour Menu featuring items such as Mini Poke Nachos and Truffle Dashi Pork Gyoza, alongside a broader selection of sushi and seasonal plates designed for sharing or full meals.

The beverage program plays a central role, with an extensive offering of wine, sake, and signature cocktails, complemented by dedicated Happy Hour selections during early evening hours.

With its waterfront setting and refined atmosphere, Minami is especially well-suited for date nights, social evenings, and after-work gatherings where elevated food and ambiance are equally prioritized.

TONDOU

596 College St, Toronto

Step into patio season with Tondou Ramen, where a Yatai-inspired patio sets the tone for a lively, casual outdoor dining experience with seating for up to 36 guests. Open daily from 12:00 PM to 11:30 PM (last call at 11:00 PM), the concept invites guests to enjoy bold, flavour-forward ramen in a vibrant street food setting. Signature favourites include the Tonkotsu Special Ramen and Okinawa Soba, alongside a seasonal Seafood Tonkotsu Ramen ($20), with Hiyashi Chuka, a refreshing cold ramen, arriving in May for the summer months. The average spend ranges from $20–30 per person. Reservations can be made HERE.

Seasonal Menu
Seasonal Seafood Tonkotsu Ramen ($20)
Hiyashi Chuka (Cold Ramen – available starting May)
Key Dishes
Tonkotsu Special Ramen
Okinawa Soba
Seafood Tonkotsu Ramen ($20)

Favorites Thai
IG. @myfavethai
141 Ossington Ave

A four-time MICHELIN Bib Gourmand recipient, Favorites Thai brings one of Ossington’s most consistently sought-after patio experiences back for the season. The modern Thai restaurant in Toronto’s west end pairs MICHELIN-recognized credibility with a lively, flavour-forward approach to outdoor dining, centered on bold, shareable dishes and an energetic neighbourhood atmosphere. Reservations can be made HERE.

Open Tuesday through Saturday from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the 18–20 seat patio is ideal for group dinners, casual nights out, or spontaneous spring and summer plans from May through September. Guests can enjoy Favorites Thai’s full regular menu outdoors, with the option to order à la carte or settle into Chef’s Choice, a six-course experience priced at $100 per person. Guests can add a four-pairing wine experience for $45 per person, with any additional wine pairing available for $10 each. It’s a strong fit for everything from a spontaneous Ossington dinner to a more curated evening that unfolds course by course on the patio. Paired with fruit-driven cocktails and rotating drink features throughout the season, the experience feels polished yet approachable. The full menu can be found HERE.

The patio carries the same tone as the interior—simple, relaxed, and a little bit electric—set against the backdrop of one of Toronto’s most vibrant streets. Rather than a fixed seasonal menu, Favorites Thai highlights its current offerings, with evolving features introduced throughout the summer. The result is a dynamic experience that leans into bold flavours, fresh ingredients, and an easygoing, high-energy atmosphere.

Lyla
IG. @lylatoronto
60 Sudbury St

Lyla welcomes patio season in Queen West with a fully redesigned outdoor space returning in early May (weather permitting), offering an elevated open-air dining experience across multiple dayparts. Ideal for group dinners, stylish brunches, and after-work Aperitivo, the space features U-shaped booths for 6–8 guests and banquette-style tables for smaller parties. Reservations can be made HERE.

Guests can enjoy a Mediterranean-driven menu rooted in seasonal ingredients, raw bar selections, handmade pastas, and premium meats, alongside a curated Aperitivo program with cocktails and bites under $20. Service runs daily for dinner (5:00 PM – 11:00 PM), weekday lunch (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM), Aperitivo (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM), and weekend brunch (10:30 AM – 3:00 PM), with pricing ranging from approximately $25–$45 for lunch, $85–$150+ for dinner, and $35–$60 for brunch. It’s especially well-suited for everything from relaxed daytime dining to polished evening occasions.

Lyla’s redesigned 2026 patio introduces a more immersive, design-forward outdoor space with ambient lighting and lush greenery, seamlessly transitioning from daytime lunches into Aperitivo and refined evening dining.

Lunch (Monday–Friday)
Beef Tartare ($21)
Canadian prime beef, pecorino, quail egg, sourdough.
Cavatelli all’Amatriciana ($25)
pork cheek, San Marzano tomato, stracciatella
Steak Sandwich ($33)
grilled picanha, gruyère, crispy shallots, horseradish aioli
Aperitivo at Lyla (Monday–Friday, 4–6 PM)
A curated selection of cocktails, wine, and mixed drinks offered at preferred pricing
A dedicated Aperitivo menu featuring refined bites, each offered under $20

Dinner
Hamachi Crudo ($33)
Ponzu, tempura, citrus
Linguine all’Aragosta ($65)
Atlantic lobster, bisque
12oz Canadian Prime Striploin ($89)
au poivre, rosemary
Weekend Brunch
Pain Perdu ($21)
brioche bread, caramel sauce, vanilla bean gelato
Shakshuka ($23)
tomato, peppers, poached eggs, sourdough
Steak & Eggs ($35)
grilled steak, eggs, breakfast potatoes

Taberna LX
IG. @taberna_lx_to
1161 Dundas St W

Taberna LX, a modern Portuguese restaurant in Toronto’s West End, invites guests to experience its rooftop terrace, an elevated, Lisbon-inspired space anchored by a striking 26-foot mural by Canadian artist Madison van Rijn, offering a refined yet playful menu of shareable petiscos, signature mains, Azorean volcanic wines, and globally influenced cocktails led by Isabo Leblanc. Ideal for media, tastemakers, and group dining, the rooftop accommodates approximately 44 guests for à la carte service (first-come, first-served) and is also available for private bookings and full venue buyouts (up to 180 standing / 120 seated), with typical event durations of 4–5 hours during the warmer months. Menu highlights range from $16–$56, with cocktails around $19–$20, showcasing bold, ingredient-driven Portuguese cuisine without a fixed seasonal menu but a strong focus on shareable plates and curated beverage programming. It’s great for stylish rooftop dinners, late-night drinks, and high-energy gatherings in a design-forward setting that feels transportive and distinctly different from the city’s typical patio scene. Reservations and event inquiries can be made HERE.

Sample Menu
Cafe Steak ($56)
A nod to our LX namesake with a nontraditional take on the classic dish.
Francesinha ($27)
Our signature take on the classic—sirloin, mortadella, chouriço, and a fried egg between thick slabs of brioche.
Salt Cod Fritter ($16)
A traditional favorite of salt cod in a very non traditional potato dumpling
Seafood Rice ($32)
A rich seafood rice stew packed with sweet shrimp, cuttlefish and XO sauce
Paixao ($20)

A fun, fresh, and playful take on a sour, featuring lemongrass-tinged Ketel One vodka and passionfruit. An instant summer classic.
Porto ~ Cola ($19)

A bartender’s cocktail and a highly smashable summer entry. Graham’s 10 matching our mural Per Se and house made cherry syrup. Soon to be canned as a “ready to drink ” takeaway cocktail.

Bar Pompette
IG. @barpompette_to
607 College St

Recognized by North America’s 50 Best Bars, Canada’s 100 Best, and ranked among the top cocktail destinations in the country, Bar Pompette, a French inspired bar, reopens its 35-seat patio this May, bringing one of Toronto’s most acclaimed drinks experiences back outdoors for the season. Set in the heart of Little Italy, the patio extends the bar’s signature polished yet effortlessly relaxed atmosphere, now paired with a fresh lineup of seasonal cocktails launching alongside the opening. Expect bright, spring-forward flavours and thoughtfully layered drinks that make the most of the warmer months.

Operating on a walk-in only basis, Bar Pompette is ideal for spontaneous evening plans, whether that’s an after-work drink, a late-night round, or an easy weekend catch-up. The bar is open Sunday through Thursday from 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM, and Friday through Saturday from 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM, giving guests plenty of room to settle into the night. With its award-winning bar program, extended late-night hours, and effortless walk-in format, it remains one of the city’s strongest patio destinations for cocktail season.

European-inspired and built around modern aperitivo culture, Bar Allegro moves seamlessly into the season with its 50-seat glass veranda already open, ahead of the outdoor patio debut in May. Designed for elevated snacks, slow sips, and shared moments, the space brings a refined yet easygoing energy that feels ideal for spring evenings and stylish catchups. The transition into patio season feels especially natural here, with the covered veranda already offering a bright, polished setting before expanding outdoors for warmer nights.

Open 7 days a week on a walk-in only basis, Bar Allegro welcomes guests Sunday through Thursday from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and Friday through Saturday until 1:00 AM. Whether it’s an after-work aperitivo, a relaxed date night, or a longer evening over cocktails and snacks, the experience is designed to unfold at an effortless pace with a distinctly European rhythm.

Little Sister
IG. @littlesisterto
2031 Yonge St
102 Portland St

Patio season returns to Little Sister in mid-May, weather permitting, with both the Portland and Yonge Street locations reopening just in time for spring dining in the city. The Yonge Street location, known for its Indonesian cuisine, will feature a 45-seat street-facing patio, making it a great choice for lively after-work drinks and spring evenings downtown. Meanwhile, Portland brings a Dutch-Indonesian dining experience, with two distinct outdoor options: a 20-seat front patio and a newly refreshed back patio reserved for private group dining, accommodating up to 16 guests across 6 tables. With Portland’s patio relaunch expected the weekend before Victoria Day, the refreshed setting will feel especially timely for the season. Reservations for Portland location HERE and reservations for Yonge location HERE.

To mark the warmer months, Little Sister’s spring/summer drink menu launches in the last week of April, led by a playful seasonal feature: the “Watermelon, Sugar… High” cocktail, made with Absolut Tabasco vodka, watermelon, lime cordial, and fresh mint. Guests visiting throughout the season can also enjoy the daily Happy Jam menu from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, with food and drink specials starting at $7. As produce comes into peak season, the cucumber watermelon salad is expected to return in late May, adding a fresh seasonal element that pairs perfectly with patio dining. It’s an easy fit for everything from casual happy hour meetups on Yonge to more intimate group dinners on Portland’s private back patio.

Naari Thai BBQ
IG. @naarithai
501 College St

Patio season at Naari Thai BBQ brings the restaurant’s bold, fire-driven energy outdoors with an intimate 20-seat patio in Little Italy, ideal for warm evenings built around shareable plates and cocktails. Rooted in Southern Thai flavours and live-fire cooking, the outdoor experience is especially suited to dishes like BBQ Coconut Chicken Satay, Charred Scallops, grilled meats with sticky rice, and wok-fired favourites, all designed for a lively, communal meal. The Southeast Asia–inspired cocktail program, led by Sakshi Humne, adds to the patio appeal with standout sips like Gloomy Daizy, Tamarind Honeycomb, and Mango Chipotle. With its vibrant neighbourhood setting and a chef-led menu built on brightness, balance, and flame, Naari’s patio is poised to be one of Little Italy’s most exciting new spots for the season. Reservations can be made HERE.

Minami Toronto
W. minamitoronto.com
IG. @minamitoronto

Tondou Ramen
W. tondoutoronto.com
IG. @tondoutoronto

Favorites Thai
W. Favorites Thai
IG. @myfavethai

Lyla
W. lylatoronto.com
IG. @lylatoronto

Taberna LX
W. tabernalx.com
IG. @taberna_lx_to

Bar Pompette
W. pompette.ca
IG. @barpompette_to

Bar Allegro
W. pompette.ca/bar-allegro
IG. @barallegro_to

Little Sister
W. Portland: https://www.littlesisterto.com/ls-portland
W. Yonge: https://www.littlesisterto.com/yonge-street
IG. @littlesisterto

Naari Thai BBQ
IG. @naarithai

Salad queen Mandy’s is opening its fifth Toronto location in a beloved neighbourhood: the Distillery District on May 1st. After more than two decades building one of Canada’s most loved fast-casual salad brands, Mandy’s Salads is officially opening its fifth Toronto location (and 15 overall), bringing its signature pink-hued world and famous salads to a neighbourhood that’s been waiting for it.

This May, sisters Mandy and Rebecca Wolfe will open Mandy’s Distillery District location, marking the brand’s fifth outpost in the city and another exciting milestone in its national expansion.

What began in 2004 as a folding table tucked inside a Montreal boutique has grown into a household name across Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto, with Vancouver next on the horizon in Kitsilano and Coal Harbour.

Located at 359 Front St E, the 1,900-square-foot space will offer 30 seats indoors, along with an additional 15-seat patio.

The space also features custom-designed wallpaper created specifically for this location, a curated mix of gorgeous antique pieces, and even restored city lamp posts brought indoors, adding to the charm and character of the restaurant. All of this comes to life under 30 foot high ceilings that make the space feel both grand and inviting.

The Distillery District space brings together signature Mandy’s design with new creative firsts. For the first time, the team has customized its own lighting in collaboration with Stray Dog Designs, paired with a bold Tom Dixon fixture that anchors the room.

Known for richly layered interiors, Mandy’s takes it even further here. Adorning the walls with antique and vintage finds, and introducing a brand-new gallery wall of paintings for the first time, alongside its iconic family wall.

The opening follows closely behind the brand’s spring menu launch on April 30, bringing a fresh wave of seasonal flavours to pair with the new space.

Why the distillery district was a natural expansion for the Mandy’s brand, and why this will be their last location in Toronto

What this milestone moment represents for the brand, and what’s ahead as Mandy’s expands coast-to-coast, with Vancouver up next

Crunchyroll has unveiled news that cannot wait until Friday to announce – global icon and long-time anime fan The Weeknd will appear at the landmark tenth iteration Crunchyroll Anime Awards taking place on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. The GRAMMY-winning artist known for weaving anime influences into his work will present the evening’s most prestigious honour: Anime of the Year.

Fans around the world can cast their votes daily for their favourite anime, helping decide winners across 32 categories—including the Anime of the Year recipient to be presented by The Weeknd. Voting is now open via the Anime Awards Official Website, Crunchyroll, and MyAnimeList, and runs through April 15 at 11:59 PM PT.

The Weeknd joins a growing lineup of celebrity anime-fan presenters shaped by anime’s influence on culture and creativity worldwide.

The Weeknd revealed that anime, especially famed director Shinichiro Watanabe’s influence, has been a key inspiration throughout his career, starting with his iconic first project, House of Balloons:

“When I was first introduced to anime, I was a child. Sailor Moon was one of my first crushes, Goku my first imaginary sparring partner, and “One More Time” by Daft Punk was a song and music video I couldn’t get out of my head.

But it wasn’t until my teenage years that one specific anime changed me forever and became part of the fabric of my early career: Samurai Champloo by Shinichiro Watanabe. It was the first time I experienced two of my favourite mediums—anime and hip hop—blending so seamlessly that it completely reshaped the way I watched film and listened to music.

The fusion of a samurai story told with auteur precision, paired with the sounds of Nujabes, Fat Jon, and Force of Nature was nothing short of transformative.

That influence stayed with me all the way through the creation of House of Balloons, where I wrote “The Morning,” “Glass Table Girls,” and “Loft Music” over Nujabes’ instrumentals. Without Watanabe and Nujabes, House of Balloons simply wouldn’t exist.

Samurai Champloo opened my eyes to a more mature world of anime and helped shape my visual DNA. The works of Satoshi Kon, Mamoru Oshii, and Katsuhiro Otomo became foundational to the look and feel of The Weeknd.

So it’s safe to say I wouldn’t be here without anime. It’s an honour to celebrate the artists behind it and a medium that continues to inspire the world.”

The Crunchyroll Anime Awards is the leading yearly awards program honouring the creators, musicians, and performances powering the global love of anime. Sony Music Solutions Inc., part of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., and Dempsey Productions will support Crunchyroll in the execution of the event. The event will be livestreamed for global audiences.

More information can be found on the Crunchyroll Anime Awards Official Website and across X (Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

About The Weeknd
The Weeknd is a multi-platinum, 7x Diamond-certified artist who has reshaped R&B and pop, becoming one of the most listened-to artists of the 21st century. He has over 115 million monthly listeners and the most songs surpassing a billion streams on Spotify. His After Hours Til Dawn Tour became the highest-grossing tour by a male solo artist in history, surpassing $1 billion. Named the “Most Popular Artist in the World” by Guinness World Records, his album After Hours is the most streamed R&B album ever, and “Blinding Lights” is the top Billboard Hot 100 song of all time.

About Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is the global anime brand that fuels fans’ love of anime. With the ambition to make anime an even bigger part of pop culture, Crunchyroll offers fans the ultimate anime experience and destination centred around a premium streaming service. Crunchyroll has the largest dedicated anime library, an immersive world of events, exciting theatrical releases, unique games, must-have merchandise, timely news, and more. Anime is for everyone and is accessible to stream across territories through Crunchyroll—whether on the go on mobile, through gaming consoles and big-screen devices at home, or on desktops anywhere.

Crunchyroll, LLC is an independently operated joint venture between U.S.-based Sony Pictures Entertainment and Japan’s Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., both subsidiaries of Tokyo-based Sony Group.

A new trailer has arrived for the intense, highly anticipated “A Marvel Television Special Presentation: The Punisher: One Last Kill,” starring Jon Bernthal as the titular vigilante, aka Frank Castle, has been unveiled ahead of its Disney+ debut. In the special, Frank searches for meaning beyond revenge, when an unexpected force pulls him back into the fight.

“A Marvel Television Special Presentation: The Punisher: One Last Kill” is directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green from a script co-written by Bernthal and Green. The special episode debuts May 12, 2026 at 6PM PT / 9PM ET, exclusively on Disney+.

Focus Features and Universal Pictures Canada will release
Pressure In Theatres on May 29, 2026. Today we get a new Trailer.

Directed By: Anthony Maras
Written By: David Haig and Anthony Maras
Produced By: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Cass Marks, Lucas Webb
Executive Produced By: Anna Marsh, Ron Halpern, Joe Naftalin, Anthony Maras, Angela Moneke, Sheeraz Shah
Cast: Andrew Scott, Brendan Fraser, Kerry Condon, Chris Messina, Damian Lewis
Synopsis: In the tense 72 hours before D-Day, and with the fate of the free world hanging in the balance, PRESSURE follows General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Captain James Stagg as they face an impossible choice—launch the largest and most dangerous seaborne invasion in history or risk losing the war altogether.

IndieCan Entertainment is excited to announce the award-winning film ‘Sunshine’ will make its theatrical debut in Toronto on Saturday, April 18th, 2026 at the Cineplex Eglinton Town Centre Cinemas at 7pm.

The 2024 film tells the story of the titular Sunshine (Maris Racal), a young gymnast whose dreams of joining the Philippines’ national gymnastics team take a sharp turn when she discovers she is pregnant. As Sunshine confronts mounting pressures, she must also navigate the realities of a society where abortion remains illegal. Set against the backdrop of a conservative Catholic culture, ‘Sunshine’ offers a timely reflection on healthcare, reproductive justice, and the right to choose. 

Now arriving in North America for its theatrical release, ‘Sunshine’ has already garnered international acclaim. The film received the prestigious Crystal Bear Award for Best Film at the 2025 Berlin Film Festival, captivated audiences at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival – where it premiered with three sold-out screenings – and was also featured at Siné Film Fest, Canada’s premier Filipino film festival. 

“We are beyond excited to return to Toronto for the theatrical release of ‘Sunshine’, ” says Jadaone. “Our film explores the challenges many women like Sunshine face, and the strength it takes to reclaim your agency. It was made with compassion, understanding, and hope for a more empathetic world. We are proud to make ‘Sunshine’ a part of Canada’s film landscape.” 

“‘Sunshine’ is a bold and deeply affecting film that confronts realities many are still afraid to talk about,” says Avi Federgreen, founder of IndieCan Entertainment. “It’s exactly the kind of story that sparks conversation, and we’re proud to bring it to audiences across Canada.”

Audiences can expect an emotionally resonant and thought-provoking experience from ‘Sunshine’, anchored by a breakout performance from Maris Racal that captures the quiet resilience and inner conflict of a young woman forced to make impossible choices. With Jadaone’s signature sensitivity and restraint, the film is both unflinching and compassionate, shining a light on realities often left unspoken while inviting meaningful conversation long after the credits roll.

Catch the premiere of ‘Sunshine’ on Saturday, April 18, 7:00 p.m, at Cineplex Eglinton Town Centre Cinemas. 

Date: April 18, 2026 

Time: 7:00 p.m. EDT

Location: Cineplex Odeon Eglinton Town Centre Cinemas, 22 Lebovic Ave, Scarborough, ON M1L 4V9

Tickets are now available for purchase here

Today, Netflix announced nine additional cast members joining Nobody Wants This Season 3, which returns with a highly-anticipated new season later this year.

Joining Season 3 for major recurring roles (alphabetical by first name):
-Andrew Rannells (Girls, Book of Mormon) as SEBASTIEN , Joanne’s nemesis in conversion class.

-Keyla Monterroso Mejia (The Studio, Abbott Elementary) as AMBER, a single woman enrolled in Joanne’s Intro to Judaism class who is obsessed with finding a Jewish husband.

-Sarah Silverman (PostMortem, Maestro) as RABBI EDEN, the warm, quirky teacher of an Intro to Judaism class, and a supportive presence for Joanne and Noah.

Also slated to guest star (alphabetical by first name)):
-Avan Jogia (56 Days, Our Hero, Balthazar) as TRAVIS, a confident and unbothered guy’s guy who enjoys getting under Joanne’s skin.

-Erin Foster (Barely Famous) as NICOLE, terminally single and chaotic mess… She’s Joanne if everything had gone wrong for her life.

-Poorna Jagannathan (Deli Boys, Lanterns) as ELEANOR, Sebastien’s brassy and biting aunt.

-Sadie Sandler (Roomates) as DENISE, a young psychic who gives a reading to Morgan.

-Stephanie Koenig (English Teacher, Lessons in Chemistry) as POPPY, a sardonic dating app regular who tries her luck with Sasha.

-Steven Weber (Wings, Chicago Med) as JULIAN, a funny, grounded, cool and secure divorced dad.

Returning series regulars include Kristen Bell, Adam Brody, Justine Lupe, Timothy Simons and Jackie Tohn.

Nobody Wants This has captivated audiences around the globe. Seasons 1 and 2 have spent a combined 12 weeks in the Netflix Global English TV top 10, reaching the top 10 in 89 countries and #1 in 43 countries. Following the October 23, 2025 premiere of season 2, fans were eager to relive the couple’s meet-cute, propelling Season 1 back into the top 10 list.

The show joins other recent Netflix productions in Los Angeles including Running Point S2, The Lincoln Lawyer S4, the upcoming film Animals from director Ben Affleck, BEEF S2 from creator Lee Sung Jin, Monster S4 from creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, and the weekly talent competition series Star Search.

Season 2 Synopsis: First comes love, then comes life. The last time we saw agnostic podcast host Joanne (Kristen Bell) and unconventional (hot) rabbi Noah (Adam Brody), their unmatched chemistry surprised everyone in their lives, including her sister Morgan (Justine Lupe), his brother Sasha (Timothy Simons) and sister-in-law Esther (Jackie Tohn), and even themselves. Their spark proved stronger than all of the obstacles trying to keep them apart. Now, they’re back and fully committed to merging their lives – and loved ones — together. But their differences still exist and can’t be ignored. The challenge now is not just falling in love against all odds, but staying together in spite of them.

Creator: Erin Foster

Executive Producers: Jenni Konner and Bruce Eric Kaplan are executive producers and showrunners. Erin Foster, Kristen Bell, Sara Foster, Nora Silver, Steven Levitan, Danielle Stokdyk and Jeff Morton are also executive producers, along with Oly Obst who executive produces for 3arts. The series is produced by 20th Television.

FATHERLAND, the latest feature film from Paweł Pawlikowski (Ida, Cold War), has been selected to compete for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, after being announced as part of this year’s official competition. MUBI holds all rights in North America, Latin America, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Benelux, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, and India, and is pleased to reveal the first-look image of the film, available here.

Written by Pawlikowski and Henk Handloegten, the film stars Academy Award®-nominated Sandra Hüller (Zone of Interest, Anatomy of a Fall), Hanns Zischler (Munich, Germany Year 90 Nine Zero, Kings of the Road), August Diehl (A Hidden Life, Inglourious Basterds), Devid Striesow (All Quiet On The Western Front), and Anna Madeley (Patrick Melrose, All Creatures Great And Small).

The film is a MUBI, OUR Films (a Mediawan Company, Italy), Extreme Emotions (Poland), Nine Hours (Germany), and Chapter 2 (a Mediawan Company, France) production, in collaboration with Circle One (Italy) and Apocalypso Pictures, with the participation of Arte and Pathé. It is produced by Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli for OUR Films, Ewa Puszczynska for Extreme Emotions, Jeanne Tremsal and Edward Berger for Nine Hours, Dimitri Rassam for Chapter 2, and Lorenzo Gangarossa for Circle One.

The Match Factory is handling international sales.

Pawlikowski reunites with his longtime filmmaking team, which includes the Academy Award® nominated cinematographer Lukasz Zal, costume designer Aleksandra Staszko, and production designers Katarzyna Sobańska and Marcel Sławiński.

Pawlikowski’s Ida garnered 70 international awards, including 5 European Film Awards and the 2015 Academy Award® for Best Foreign Language Film. He won the Best Director Prize at Cannes in 2018 for Cold War and the film had 52 wins and 126 nominations, including Academy Award® nominations for Best Foreign Film, Best Director, and Best Cinematography.

SYNOPSIS
FATHERLAND centres on the relationship between the Nobel Prize-winning writer Thomas Mann (Hanns Zischler) and his daughter Erika (Sandra Hüller) – actress, writer and rally driver. Set at the height of the Cold War, father and daughter embark on a challenging and emotional road trip in a black Buick taking them across a Germany in ruins – from US dominated Frankfurt to Soviet controlled Weimar. For the first time since the war, Mann returns to his native Germany, having made the difficult decision to flee for the safety of the US.

With FATHERLAND Pawlikowski picks up where he left off with his award-winning Ida and Cold War, exploring the themes of identity, guilt, family and love, amid the turmoil and moral confusion of post War Europe.

MAYWORKS returns from May 1 to 31, 2026 with the 41st edition of its Festival of Working People and the Arts, a month-long programme of free events across Toronto exploring the intersection of art, labour and social justice. This year’s festival features theatre, film, animation, installation, music and public conversation, bringing audiences into the lives of workers, organisers and communities both local and international.

The festival opens on May 1, International Workers’ Day, at United Steelworkers Hall with live music by Parallel Play Collective and a panel discussion on global supply chains, labour organising and the power of collective disruption. Speakers include Jody Chan of No Arms in the Arts, Mostafa Henaway of the Immigrant Workers Centre and Radhika Desai of the Geopolitical Economy Research Group, moderated by Moe Alqasem of Labour for Palestine.

“Artists in this year’s festival engage with our world as it is and bring us into the lives of workers, both local and international,” said Carolyn Combs, Festival Director. “A truck driver in Brampton, a health care worker in Thunder Bay, an activist in Montreal, a miner in Morocco, a sugar cane worker in the Dominican Republic, a guide in Palestine and a contract worker in Mozambique.”

Among this year’s highlights are two original projects developed through Mayworks’ Labour Arts Catalyst program, which matches artists with labour justice organisations in collaborative research and art-making processes. Carabao, a play by Roann Enriquez developed in collaboration with Anakbayan Toronto, is inspired by the historic 74-hour strike at Nexperia Philippines Inc. in 2025 and depicts a Filipino family across borders. Workshopped over two days with a director and actors, the final public read-through will take place on May 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. at Tarragon Theatre.

Also developed through Labour Arts Catalyst, Landlines, a short film by Miru Yogarajah and Jay Aramboo, created in collaboration with the Peel Region Labour Council, follows migrant truck drivers living in the Greater Toronto Area as they navigate wage theft, inadequate training, unsafe conditions, exploitative pay, gruelling hours and constant surveillance in the trucking industry. The film premieres on May 21 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Gallery TPW.

Guest-curated by Nima Esmailpour, Every Worker Should Have Equal Labour Rights is a multi-part project that brings together four works tracing histories of labour injustice and worker-led resistance across the Global South. The project includes And For You, Flours and Flowers, Rendition, Know Problem and L’mina.

A collaboration between Dana Prieto and Safaa Alnabelseya, And For You, Flours and Flowers, takes shape through the sharing of edible confections during the festival’s opening night on May 1. The work brings into proximity distinct political and culinary histories, tracing how food can reorganize time, intimacy, and discourse, while enacting forms of relation grounded in mutuality rather than transactional individualism.

Euridice Zaituna Kala’s video installation, Rendition, tells the story of a group of contract workers from Mozambique whose experience of wage theft in Germany has led to a decades-long public demonstration and powerful political forum. Presented in collaboration with Charles Street Video, it takes place from May 2 to May 30.

Deja Hosein’s original work, Know Problem, invites viewers to reflect on the interconnected experiences shaping the work of Saint Lucia’s fisherman today and will be postered throughout the city over the month of May.

L’Mina, a short film by Randa Maroufi made in collaboration with workers who perform their own roles, exposes the conditions of miners in Jerada, Morocco, who, despite the official halting of coal extraction in 2001, continue to work in informal pits. The film screens at Alliance Française Toronto on May 30 at 3 p.m.

The festival’s film programme also includes True North (2025), a documentary set during the 1969 student uprising at Montreal’s Concordia University, shedding light on the history of anti-Black racism in Canada. The film, presented at the United Steelworkers Hall on May 8 at 7 p.m., is followed by a conversation with the filmmaker, Michèle Stephenson, on her artistic practice as a Black liberation project.

On May 14 at 7 p.m., With Hassan in Gaza (2025) by Kamal Aljafari screens at CineCycle. Assembled from two-decades-old camcorder footage, the documentary captures the filmmaker’s travels through Gaza with Hasan, a local guide. The screening will be preceded by Operations, a short video work by Ibrahim Abussita composed of footage of Palestinian resistance redrawn frame by frame as hand-drawn animation. An exhibition of these frames will be presented at Whippersnapper Gallery from May 1 to 31.

Also featured is Sugar Island (2024), a narrative feature by Johanne Gomez, which immerses us in the Dominican Republic’s sugarcane fields and introduces us to a family whose daily lives are shaped by the harsh labour that defines their world. Presented at the Unitarian Congregation of Toronto on May 22 at 7 p.m., the film is followed by a panel discussion focusing on issues raised in the film as well as the director’s artistic approach.

The festival closes on May 30 with a double bill at Alliance Française Toronto beginning at 3 p.m.: Sambizanga (1972) by Sarah Maldoror and True Chronicles of the Blida Joinville Psychiatric Hospital in the Last Century, when Dr. Frantz Fanon Was Head of the Fifth Ward between 1953 and 1956 (2024). The screenings will be accompanied by a panel discussion titled Fanon’s Legacy, presented with Caribbean Solidarity Network and U of T’s Community Engaged Learning and Caribbean Studies.

The festival also includes the book launch of Confronting the Resurgent Right edited by Miriam Edelson presented with the University of Manitoba Press (May 28, 7 p.m., Tranzac Club); a presentation with ACTRA featuring a screening of two episodes of The Porter (2022) followed by a conversation with the films’ creatives Arnold Pinnock and others, and a workers meet-up/theatre workshop presented with the Ethiopian and Eritrean Workers Network of the Toronto and York Region Labour Council. Details to be announced.

About Mayworks

Founded in 1986, Mayworks Festival of Working People and the Arts is a community-based festival that annually presents new works by a diverse range of artists who are also workers and activists. Its programming offers bold, insightful responses to pressing issues at the intersection of art, social justice and labour.

All events are free! Registration required at mayworks.ca.

The Departure Festival + Conference, in partnership with the Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA), has announced the nominees for the 2026 Live Music Awards, highlighting an extraordinary year with 190 nominees spanning 24 categories. The winners will be announced live on May 6, 2026, at the Bluma Appel Theatre in Toronto.

The awards shine a light on the ingenuity, perseverance, and excellence of Canada’s live music community. Categories recognize individuals, companies, and organizations across the live music sector—including venues, festivals, promoters, agents, collaborative initiatives, and more.

“The CLMA is thrilled to recognize the individuals and organizations behind the best live music events in the world: Canadian ones,” said Maddy Oliver, Interim Executive Director of the CLMA. “We look forward to a night of camaraderie and celebration with our community.”

“The Live Music Awards nominees reflect the incredible depth, diversity, and creativity driving Canada’s live music scene forward,” said Kevin Barton, Executive Producer at Departure Festival + Conference. “We’re pleased to celebrate the artists and industry leaders who are shaping unforgettable live experiences, and we look forward to bringing this community together for a truly special night.”

View the 2026 Live Music Award nominees.

Recognition of Global Leaders:
The Live Music Awards will also honour individuals whose contributions have shaped the global live music landscape. Their work has influenced live music culture, strengthened industry infrastructure, and left a lasting imprint through careers defined by vision, innovation, and impact on future generations.

Congratulations to:

Global Impact in Live Music – Kevin Lyman
Global Live Music Leadership Award – Erin Benjamin
Live Legacy Award – Patti-Anne Tarlton

Tickets are now on sale and available here. Exclusive discounts are available for Departure passholders and members of the Canadian Live Music Association.