At the MICHELIN Awards in Toronto on Thursday, September 18, Executive Chef Ryusuke Nakagawa of Aburi Hana received the MICHELIN Service Award and Aburi Hana retained its MICHELIN Star, marking four consecutive years of recognition. The honours reflect the restaurant’s refined kaiseki artistry and guest-focused hospitality, with Aburi Hana continuing as a One MICHELIN Star destination in Toronto. This marks Aburi Hana’s fourth consecutive year being recognized with a MICHELIN Star, having received a star in 2022, 2023, 2024, and now 2025.

“It is truly an honour for Aburi Hana to retain its MICHELIN star for the fourth consecutive year. This recognition is a reflection of the hard work and dedication that our team brings every day, and I am deeply grateful to see those efforts acknowledged,” says Executive Chef Ryusuke Nakagawa.

The MICHELIN Service Award recognizes hospitality that goes above and beyond and keeps the guest at the centre of every decision. It celebrates teams who anticipate needs before they are voiced, remain attentive without overstepping, and master the balance that defines exceptional service. At Aburi Hana, service touches every element of the evening. Plateware and pacing are considered with care. The dining room’s sound and scent are tuned to heighten perception. The elaborate pottery is integral to the experience and was selected in person by chef Nakagawa from artisans in Arita, Japan, the birthplace of Japanese porcelain. Guests receive light guidance before arrival so the room remains free of distraction, including setting phones to silent and avoiding perfume, which allows delicate aromas to be appreciated fully. Together, these details create a standard of hospitality that is all-encompassing and transportive.

Reflecting on the recognition and what it represents for the team, chef Nakagawa says, “The highlight for me this year is receiving the MICHELIN Service Award — the only restaurant in Toronto to be recognized in this way. While I take pride in my own cuisine, I am even more proud that our team, moving forward together with the same vision, has been recognized for the hospitality and care we give to our guests. This award is not only meaningful to me personally, but also a source of joy and pride for our entire team.”

With a fourth consecutive MICHELIN Star and the MICHELIN Service Award for Executive Chef Ryusuke Nakagawa, Aburi Hana stands among Toronto’s most distinguished dining rooms. These honours reflect a legacy of Kaiseki artistry, meticulous craft, and sincere hospitality that shaped an intimate and transportive experience for guests. Together, they mark a defining chapter in the city’s culinary story and a lasting testament to the team behind it.

tiff50 selection PEAK EVERYTHING is coming soon to theatres. We get a new Trailer and release dates!

PARTICIPATING MARKETS INCLUDE:

Ontario:

TIFF Lightbox, Toronto
The Screening Room, Kingston
Landmark Cinemas, Orléans
ByTowne Cinema, Ottawa (Sept 19)
British Columbia:

The Vic Theatre, Victoria
New Brunswick:

Apollo Cinemas, Bathurst
North Shore Cinemas, Campbellton
Peak Everything closed the 50th Toronto International Film Festival on September 13. The film will open theatrically in English Canada on September 26. Peak Everything had its world premiere at the Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes this past May and was shown at the 39th Cabourg Film Festival last month, where it received the Grand Jury Prize.

The sixth feature film by Anne Émond, Peak Everything stars Patrick Hivon and Piper Perabo.

Synopsis: Adam (45) is a kind-hearted kennel-owner. Hypersensitive and borderline depressed, he hides his existential fears from his affection-avoidant father, and lets his young assistant take advantage of his good nature. To help combat his eco-anxiety, Adam orders a therapeutic solar lamp. Through the lamp’s supplier’s technical support line, he meets Tina, a radiant woman with a voice that soothes all of his worries. This unexpected encounter changes everything: Earth trembles, and hearts explode… It’s love!

Starring: Patrick Hivon, Piper Perabo, Gilles Renaud, Élizabeth Mageren, Éric Kamala Boulianne, Connor Jessup, Gord Rand, Jean-Carl Boucher, Leona Son, Sienna Feghouli, Denis Houle, Benoît Mauffette, Arlen Aguayo Stewart and Martin Dubreuil.

Director & Scriptwriter: Anne Émond
Producer: Sylvain Corbeil
Director of Photography: Olivier Gossot
Production Designer: Sylvain Lemaitre
Costume Designer: Patricia McNeil
Editor: Anita Roth
Composer: Christophe Lamarche-Ledoux
Line Producer: Marie-Claire Lalonde

About Immina Films:

Founded in 2022, distribution company Immina Films is a team with a passion for cinema whose main goal is to promote Quebec films. Concretely, this means both distributing recent works and sub-distributing an extensive catalogue which includes hundreds of iconic Quebec productions. Since its creation, Immina Films has distributed such hits as 23 DÉCEMBRE (Golden Screen Award winner at the 2023 Canadian Screen Awards), LE TEMPS D’UN ÉTÉ, SIMPLE COMME SYLVAIN (César for Best Foreign Film), 1995 and MLLE BOTTINE. Immina Films is also growing its foreign film catalogue which includes European works IO CAPITANO and SARAH BERHNARDT: LA DIVINE. This year’s upcoming films include MENTEUSE (Compulsive Liar 2), AMOUR APOCALYPSE (Peak Everything) and LES FURIES.

PRIMATE IS ONLY IN THEATRES ON JANUARY 9, 2026! It just had its World Premiere at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas.

Paramount Pictures Presents

In Association with Domain Entertainment

An 18Hz Production

“PRIMATE”

SYNOPSIS

In PRIMATE, a group of friends’ tropical vacation turns into a terrifying, primal tale of horror and survival.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY

Vicki Dee Rock, Nathan Samdahl, Johannes Roberts, Pete Chiappetta, Anthony Tittanegro, Andrew Lary

PRODUCED BY

Walter Hamada, p.g.a., John Hodges, p.g.a., Bradley Pilz

WRITTEN BY

Johannes Roberts & Ernest Riera

DIRECTED BY

Johannes Roberts

STARRING

Johnny Sequoyah, Jessica Alexander, and Troy Kotsur, Victoria Wyant, Gia Hunter, Benjamin Cheng, Charlie Mann, Tienne Simon

UJUTSU KAISEN: EXECUTION ARRIVES IN THEATRES ACROSS CANADA DECEMBER 5, 2025 VIA CINEPLEX PICTURES. And today we get a brand new Trailer!

Directed by: Shouta Goshozono
Written by: Hiroshi Seko
Synopsis: A veil abruptly descends over the busy Shibuya area amid the bustling Halloween crowds, trapping countless civilians inside. Satoru Gojo, the strongest jujutsu sorcerer, steps into the chaos. But lying in wait are curse users and spirits scheming to seal him away. Yuji Itadori, accompanied by his classmates and other top-tier jujutsu sorcerers, enters the fray in an unprecedented clash of curses — the Shibuya Incident. In the aftermath, ten colonies across Japan are transformed into dens of curses in a plan orchestrated by Noritoshi Kamo, the most wicked sorcerer in history. As the deadly Culling Game starts, Special Grade sorcerer Yuta Okkotsu is assigned to carry out Yuji’s execution for his perceived crimes. The desperate confrontation between Satoru Gojo’s two beloved students comes to the big screen with an early preview. Be the first to experience Yuji and Yuta’s fateful battle with the hotly anticipated kickoff to Season 3 in theatres nationwide.

About Cineplex Pictures
Cineplex Pictures, a division of Cineplex, is a distributor of a wide range of films. Recent titles include Ballerina, Flight Risk, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, The Strangers: Chapter 1, The Queen of My Dreams, The Boy and the Heron, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, SAW X, and John Wick: Chapter 4.

The King of Pop Michael Jackson certainly needs no introduction. To this day, his title remains undisputed. Perhaps MJ THE MUSICAL -nominated for ten TONY Awards – is that closure many fans never got with his premature passing, or even the chance to see and feel him live when they never got the opportunity. Whatever your reason, the production with a book by Lynn Nottage, and direction & choreography by Christopher Wheeldon, is a resounding smash, not to be missed as it runs at CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, here only till November 2, 2025 before it tours other cities in Canada.

Completely floored by the attention to detail, the seamless transitions, the singing, the dancing, how in-sync the Cast were with one another, particularly the three Actors playing Jackson at various stages in his life: Quentin Blanton Jr., Brandon Lee Harris, and Jordan Markus. Absolutely tremendous and I am already itching to see it a second time!

Severable notables were in attendance for the Toronto Premiere of MJ THE MUSICAL including The Podemski Sisters, members of the Toronto Raptors, Jully Black, Erica Ehm, and more!

Some highlights from the evening:

Tickets are on-sale now here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

In case you missed it..

Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds arrived at the World Premiere of JOHN CANDY: I LIKE ME at the Toronto International Film Festival red carpet in a vintage Chrysler LeBaron inspired by one of John Candy’s most beloved comedy classics – PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES.

Check out the below for an exclusive look behind the scenes with Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds and Hacksmith Industries to see how they created this memorable car!

Launching globally on Prime Video October 10, 2025

From director Colin Hanks and lifelong John Candy fan Ryan Reynolds comes John Candy: I Like Me, an exploration of the life of the Canadian comedic icon. This John Candy film documents his on- and off-camera existence, featuring never-before-seen home videos, intimate access to his family, and candid recollections from collaborators to paint a bigger picture of one of the brightest stars of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. It’s the story of a son, husband, father, friend, and professional driven to bring joy to audiences and loved ones while battling personal ghosts and Hollywood pressures.

Director: Colin Hanks

Producers: Colin Hanks, Sean Stuart, Glen Zipper, Ryan Reynolds, George Dewey, Johnny Pariseau, Shane Reid

Executive Producers: Ashley Fox, Patrick Gooing

Co-Executive Producers: Chris Candy, Jennifer Candy-Sullivan, Rosemary Candy

Director of Photography: Justin Kane

Editors: Shane Reid, Darrin Roberts

Music by: Tyler Strickland

About Prime Video

Prime Video is a one-stop entertainment destination offering customers a vast collection of premium programming in one application available across thousands of devices. On Prime Video, customers can find their favourite movies, series, documentaries, and live sports, including Prime Monday Night Hockey – also Amazon MGM Studios-produced series and movies Fallout, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Reacher, The Boys, and Roadhouse; licensed fan favourite Vampire Diaries; exclusive entertainment such as Prime Monday Night Hockey, ONE Championship; and programming from channels such as Sportsnet, Paramount+, Crave, Citytv+, STARZ, AMC+, Super Channel, BritBox, Hayu, STACKTV, a multi-channel service featuring 16 top-tier networks (Global, Food Network Canada, HGTV Canada, W Network, The HISTORY® Channel, Adult Swim, Lifetime, Slice, Showcase, National Geographic, Cartoon Network, Treehouse, YTV, Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD), via Prime Video Channels add-on subscriptions. Prime Video is one benefit among many that provides savings, convenience, and entertainment as part of the Prime membership. All customers, regardless of whether they have a Prime membership or not, can rent or buy titles, including blockbusters such as Barbie and Oppenheimer, via the Prime Video Store. Customers can also go behind the scenes of their favourite movies and series with exclusive X-Ray access. For more info visit www.primevideo.com

VICIOUS STARRING DAKOTA FANNING, STREAMING ON PARAMOUNT+ OCTOBER 10, 2025. Today, we get a new Trailer.

SYNOPSIS

When Polly (Dakota Fanning) receives a mysterious Box from an unexpected late-night visitor, it comes with a simple instruction: place three things inside: something you need, something you hate, and something you love. What begins as a strange ritual quickly unravels into a waking nightmare. Trapped in a terrifying world where reality bends and memory betrays, Polly must navigate a series of impossible choices. As time slips away, she’s forced to confront the darkness not just around her, but within her—before it consumes everything and everyone she’s ever known.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

Melinda Whitaker, Shane Boucher

PRODUCERS

Richard Suckle, p.g.a., Bryan Bertino

WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY

Bryan Bertino

STARRING

Dakota Fanning, Kathryn Hunter, Mary McCormack, Rachel Blanchard, Devyn Nekoda, Klea Scott, Emily Mitchell

@ParamountPlusCA

This October, Miku Toronto celebrates its 10th anniversary with a month-long event at its waterfront location, 10 Bay Street. From October 1 to 31, 2025 guests can experience an exclusive anniversary kaiseki, a seven-course menu that revives Miku’s most iconic dishes, reimagined with the modern artistry of Chef de Cuisine Michael Acero. Priced at $175 per guest with an optional $60 wine and sake pairing, the menu is available during dinner service only. Acero, who was part of the opening team in 2015, has now returned to lead the kitchen, making his homecoming a fitting way to mark the occasion. Guests may also uncover golden tickets hidden in menus throughout October, with surprises ranging from complimentary beverages to $100 gift cards. Reservations for the anniversary kaiseki can be made HERE.

The anniversary kaiseki highlights reimagined versions of Miku’s most iconic creations. Guests can look forward to dishes such as Wagyu Tartare, Roasted Sablefish, and an A5 Wagyu entrée, with the experience concluding on a refreshing note with a Yuzu Parfait. In addition, original favourites from Miku Toronto’s early days, including Saba Bo, Cast Iron Mussels, Togarashi Lobster, and the Waterfront Platter, will be available à la carte during dinner service. Each course may be paired with premium wine and sake selections curated by Beverage Manager and Sommelier Angela Allan.

“My goal in business is not just to be successful. I want to create a whole culture and community. A restaurant is a business that connects people through delicious food, a comfortable space, and outstanding service. We believe that the greatest restaurants connect people and build lasting relationships.” This philosophy, known as Ningenmi, which translates to “the human flavour,” is at the heart of Miku Toronto’s identity. Defined by qualities of sincerity, thoughtfulness, and passion, it continues to guide the restaurant as it celebrates its 10-year anniversary.

Since opening in 2015, Miku Toronto has become known for introducing the East Coast to flame-seared Aburi sushi, contemporary Japanese cuisine, and warm hospitality on the city’s waterfront. As the restaurant enters its second decade, it continues to move forward with seasonal, locally inspired menus, an expanded beverage program, and immersive dining experiences that balance tradition with innovation.

Miku Toronto 10-Year Anniversary Kaiseki Menu
Amuse
Sashimi Selection
Hassun
Roasted Sablefish
Selection of Sushi
Japanese A5 Wagyu
Yuzu Parfait

Details:
Event: Miku Toronto 10th anniversary

Date: October 1 to October 31, 2025

Time: Dinner Service (please check the restaurant’s OpenTable for accurate timing)

Location: Miku Toronto, 10 Bay St, Toronto, ON

Tickets: $175 per guest (+ optional $60 wine and sake pairing, plus taxes & gratuity). Reservations can be made HERE.

Miku Toronto’s 10-year anniversary is more than a look back at the past. It is an invitation to experience the artistry, innovation, and community spirit that will continue to define its future. With chef Michael Acero once again in the kitchen, the restaurant is poised to delight loyal guests and new diners with the same passion and creativity that have made Miku a cornerstone of Toronto’s dining scene.

THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE 3 FLIES INTO THEATRES DECEMBER 23, 2026 via Paramount Pictures Canada. Today, we get additional casting announcements.

Previously announced cast:
Jason Sudeikis (“Red”), Josh Gad (“Chuck”), Rachel Bloom (“Silver”), Danny McBride (“Bomb”), Emma Myers, Keke Palmer, Tim Robinson, Lily James, Marcello Hernandez, Walker Scobell, Sam Richardson, Anna Cathcart, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Nikki Glaser, James Austin Johnson, Psalm West

Rovio and SEGA will produce alongside Namit Malhotra and his production company Prime Focus Studios, in partnership with Flywheel Media, One Cool Group, and dentsu.

The Angry Birds Movie 3 is directed by John Rice with a screenplay by Thurop Van Orman, who is also executive producing alongside Toru Nakahara.

The film is produced by John Cohen, Dan Chuba, and Carla Connor.

The Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) today announced the lineup for its 46th annual Festival taking place October 29 – November 2, 2025. This fall, TIFA welcomes acclaimed writers, passionate readers and book lovers from around the globe for Canada’s largest and longest-running literary festival. With a new 5 day format over and 100 events ranging from conversations, masterclasses, talks, and readings, the festival will take place at new venues in partnership with Victoria University at the University of Toronto. Passes for the festival are on sale now at Festivalofauthors.ca.

Each year, TIFA brings people together to share stories, exchange ideas, and celebrate a love of literature. In 2025, this mission is more urgent than ever. TIFA has the unique ability to place Canadian and international writers together on a global stage, celebrating their stories and perspectives with audiences in Toronto, Canada and beyond. This year, the Festival welcomes authors from Japan, Taiwan, Korea, New Zealand, France, Germany, Portugal, Ireland, USA, Brazil and more, with many writers having roots and stories that span the globe.

After 50 years, TIFA has become an independent organization, offering its audience of readers new and exciting ways to access and experience writers, books and stories, all year round.

With the help of a transformational gift from the Weston family, TIFA is writing a new chapter. This gift lays the foundation for the next 50 years, renewing the Festival’s focus on bringing writers and readers together, with an emphasis on imagination, excellence, diversity, global conversation and connection.

“This extraordinary gift is truly transformational for the Toronto International Festival of Authors,” said Roland Gulliver, Artistic Director of the Toronto International Festival of Authors. “In TIFA’s first year of independence, the generosity of the Weston family helps support our vision to write the next 50 years of TIFA as a place to bring authors to audiences, and to celebrate the stories and ideas that connect us all. As the 2025 TIFA Festival programme highlights, we are building spaces for readers to find joy, connection and inspiration, creating new opportunities for Canadian writers and welcoming more international voices to Toronto.”

Below is a list of select TIFA programme highlights and guests attending over the course of the Festival. For the full Festival programme and schedule, please visit FestivalofAuthors.ca.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

TIFA welcomes leading writers from around the world:

Rachel Maddow (host of The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC) and Rebecca Solnit (author of No Straight Road Takes You There) in conversation with Nahlah Ayad (CBC Ideas). Introduced by Margaret Atwood. This special conversation is the Festival’s opening event at Koerner Hall on Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Kōtarō Isaka in his first North American appearance. His new novel, Hotel Lucky Seven, features the characters made famous in The Bullet Train, recently adapted for film starring Brad Pitt

Kiran Desai: The 2006 Man Booker Prize Winner presents her new novel The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny (Booker longlisted for 2025) in her only Canadian appearance

André Aciman: author of Call Me By Your Name (which became a hit film), presents his new memoir, My Roman Year

Richard Armitage: TV star of The Hobbit and many Harlan Coben adaptations on his new novel, The Cut

Serhii Plokhy: one of the world’s foremost writers on Ukraine and Russia presents his new book The Nuclear Age; his book Chernobyl is a television hit

Nathan Harris: his new novel Amity; his debut The Sweetness of Water was one of President Obama’s Favorite Books of 2021

Cho-Nam Joo (Kim Ji-Young 1982), Chris Pavone (The Expats, The Doorman), Catherine Newman (Sandwich), Jonas Hassan Khemiri (The Sisters), Susan Choi (Flashlight), Eimear McBride (The City Changes its Face), Alka Joshi Six Days in Bombay) & more

CELEBRATING CANADIAN VOICES

A spotlight on Canada’s most acclaimed authors:

Giller Prize winners Ian Williams, Michael Redhill, and Souvankham Thammavongsa launch their new novels

Much loved Canadian authors Thomas King, Madeleine Thien, Emma Donoghue, and Guy Gavriel Kay present their new books

Festival of Indigenous Stories, co-curated with Niigaan Sinclair: Brian Thomas Isaac, David A Robertson, Katherena Vermette, Kyle Edwards and Tracey Lindberg

ELBOWS UP CANADA!

Across non-fiction and fiction, capturing the state of our nation in 2025:

Andrew Coyne, Globe & Mail columnist, on Canada’s democratic institutions

Brian Stewart on his life as a foreign correspondent with CBC

David Shribman on the future of history in the USA

Susan Swan and Cathrin Bradbury on being a woman in the ‘troisieme age’

The Hilary Weston Non-Fiction Prize: celebrate the shortlisted authors

Kanata Classics: explore the CanLit canon with David Chariandy, David A Robertson and Claire Cameron

Alex Neve: 2025 Massey Lecturer in conversation on Universality & Human Rights

Rogers v Rogers, from Page to Stage: with director Chris Abraham, playwright Michael Healy and author Alexandra Posadzki, in partnership with Crow’s Theatre

WELCOME WORLD: INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES

Offering access to global conversations and perspectives:

Singapore: Jeremy Tiang (State of Emergency) and Jemimah Wei (The Original Daughter), acclaimed Singaporean writers and translators

Taiwan: Lin King (Taiwan Travelogue) and Terao Tetsuya (Spent Bullets)

Korea: Cho-Nam Joo (Kim Jiyoung Born 1982), Bo Young-Kim (I’m Waiting for You: And Other Stories) and Jinwoo Park (Oxford Soju Club)

Arabic Voices: including Ziyad Saadi (Three Parties), Fadi Zaghmout (A Man of Middling Height) and Ibtisam Azem (The Book of Disappearance)

Diverse US authors: Alejandro Heredia (Loca); David Wright Faladé (The New Internationals), Michel Nieva (Dengue Boy), Adam Haslett (Mothers and Sons), Samrat Upadhyay (Darkmotherland) and more

IDEAS IN ACTION

A nonfiction lineup exploring imagination as a force for change and creativity, including:

Francesca Wade (Gertrude Stein: An Afterlife) on Gertrude Stein, the salonista and modernist literary legend

Garth Risk Hallberg (The Uncollected Stories of Mavis Gallant) on Mavis Gallant, iconic Canadian writer

Susan Aglukark (Kihiani: A Memoir of Healing) and Natalie MacMaster (I Have a Love Story) on music, memory, and resilience

Ira Wells (On Book Banning: Or, How the New Censorship Consensus Trivializes Art and Undermines Democracy) on censorship and book banning

Victoria Hetherington (The Friend Machine: On the Trail of AI Companionship) on AI & emotion

PARTNERSHIPS & PROGRAMMES

Writers Collective of Canada workshops on writing and wellbeing

Masterclasses in partnership with Humber School for Writers

Yoga & Journalling sessions

About TIFA:

The Toronto International Festival of Authors has been inspiring readers and celebrating books and storytelling for 50 years. The charitable organization presents its flagship literary Festival each fall, while offering year-round programming including the MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival, the TIFA Romance Festival, the TIFA Presents series of high-profile author talks, Toronto Lit Up book launches, and the International Visitors Program. Since 1974, TIFA has welcomed thousands of authors from more than 100 countries, including 22 Nobel Laureates and countless award winners. The organization is a proud member of the Canadian Association of Literary Festivals (CALF) and the Global Alliance of Literary Festivals (GaoLF).

TIFA gratefully acknowledges our Season Supporter, the Weston Foundations; our Global Authors Club, for providing additional philanthropic support; the Government of Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, the Government of Ontario, Ontario Arts Council, Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, the Toronto Arts Council, the Work In Culture Catalyst and Transformation Fund, the Centre for Creativity at Victoria University, and TIFA’s generous donors and supporters who understand that great literature is worth investing in.