With TIFF returning to Toronto this September 4–14 2025, the city will be buzzing with film premieres, celebrities, and dining experiences that capture the spotlight. Festival goers can look forward to a range of exciting special offerings and activations, from signature cocktails by Bar XXX, Arianna, Minami, Ficoa, and Deauville Club to standout dishes from Lyla, Radici Project, Minami, and Ficoa.

Bar XXX

A speakeasy tucked beneath Little Sister, Bar XXX has long held its place on Canada’s Best Bars list and is debuting a TIFF-exclusive cocktail.

TIFF No. 42 (Martini): Off-menu, available exclusively throughout TIFF, price $26

“No. 42” references The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams — the “Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything.”

Arianna at Harbour Sixty

Arianna, located in the iconic Harbour Sixty building, features an exclusive cocktail crafted by award-winning mixologist Tiffany Desbiens.

The “Her” Cocktail: Off-menu, available exclusively throughout TIFF, price $28

Inspired by the allure of Old Hollywood, this drink captures the grace, poise, and cinematic elegance of the golden era’s leading women — Hugo spritz meets lemon drop martini.

Image of the “HER” cocktail, garnished with bergamot perfume, mint and an edible flower

Ficoa

Mexican chef, Esau Garcia Ramos, brings his MICHELIN roots to TIFF with a specially curated menu for Ficoa, located on College St.

Ficoa presents its own “Director’s Cut”, a series of a la carte menu items inspired by the film Like Water for Chocolate. With the chef stepping into the role of director and taking full creative reign, these dishes will be available exclusively as part of Ficoa’s a la carte menu throughout TIFF.

Cocktail: PÉTALOS DE ROSA – $20

Gin, guava, strawberry, and rose water

Special Dish: CHILES EN NOGADA – $35

Picadillo stuffed poblano pepper, Nogada sauce, and pomegranate

Dessert: CHABELA’S CAKE – $10

Chocolate Cake featuring Mokable

Minami Toronto

As an official TIFF partner, Minami promises to be one of the hottest spots for celebrity sightings this season, featuring an exclusive TIFF cocktail alongside two special dishes.

Cocktail

    The Golden Anniversary Sour, price $25

Dishes

Wagyu Skewers On Hot Stone Plate priced at $49 (4oz)

Black Garlic Miso, Sweet Soy Glaze, Mini Potato, Broccolini, Mini Pepper

A5 Wagyu Tartare Monaka With Volzhenka Osciètre Caviar priced at $40 (2pc)

Yuzu Kosho, Rakkyo, Green Onion

From Left to Right: Image of A5 Wagyu Tartare Monaka and Wagyu Skewers

Radici Project
Radici Project, founded by husband-and-wife duo Emiliano Del Frate, formerly of NOMA and Dan Alfonso and DaNico, and Kayo Ito, with experience at Park Hyatt and Nobu, bring world-class expertise to the table.

Radici Project will feature a limited-time Cacio e Pepe topped with beef tataki and Canadian caviar. The dish blends a Roman classic with grilled beef, paying homage to Italy’s Ferragosto barbecue season. Inspired by the Italian food film Il Pranzo di Ferragosto, it highlights themes of tradition, care, and the joy of shared summer meals.

The dish will be presented as the amuse-bouche on both tasting menus:

Essence Menu: condensed and affordable tasting menu

Immersive Menu: full-size, larger tasting menu

Additionally, during TIFF, all à la carte guests will be welcomed with a complimentary cacio e pepe. While it will not appear on the à la carte menu, it will be offered as a welcome bite for à la carte diners and served as the amuse-bouche (alongside a waffle) for those enjoying the tasting menus.

Lyla

Lyla, located in Liberty Village, celebrates TIFF’s red-carpet spirit with a decadent lobster pasta topped with caviar and finished in champagne dashi.

Lobster Caviar Pasta, available exclusively throughout TIFF, price $159

1.5lb Atlantic Lobster served with an Ontario grass fed beurre blanc, osetra caviar, grana duro chittara, with borage to garnish. The whole lobster is paired with a rich dashi made from its shells, butter, and Veuve Clicquot, then finished with caviar, gyosho, and fresh lemon. Tossed with pasta and garnished with lobster head and borage, the dish balances decadence with vibrant flavour and colour.

Mokable x Deauville Club Restaurant

Perched above the city on the second floor of Revery Toronto Downtown, Deauville Club is where French sophistication meets global culinary flair, and this TIFF season, it’s unveiling a cocktail unlike any other. The star of the glass? Hornitos Black Barrel Tequila, elevated with Mokable -– a coffee confectionery that captures the whole essence of a coffee bean by microgrinding whole coffee beans. Born in Japan, and winner of the 2025 Grand Prix Japan Food Selection, Mokable’s innovative approach has been appreciated by Toronto’s MICHELIN and award winning chefs and mixologists.

To bring this creation to life, Deauville Club is teaming up with guest bartender, Troy Gilchrist of No Vacancy, who will be behind the bar for this exclusive collaboration. Don’t forget to ask about off-menu Cocktail, FRANKENFOAM!

Watch the official trailer for TIFF ’25 selection If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, a tour de force from writer-director Mary Bronstein starring Berlinale Silver Bear winner Rose Byrne, Conan O’Brien and A$AP Rocky.

VVS Films release as follows:

In select theatres October 17, 2025
Further expansion October 24, 2025

With her life crashing down around her, Linda (Rose Byrne) attempts to navigate her child’s mysterious illness, her absent husband, a missing person, and an increasingly hostile relationship with her therapist.

WildBrain, a global leader in kids’ and family entertainment, and award-winning producer Peacock Alley Entertainment today released the official trailer for the highly anticipated original documentary feature, Degrassi: Whatever It Takes, which will make its world premiere on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at the Toronto International Film Festival as a TIFF 50 Official Selection.

Degrassi: Whatever It Takes dives into the behind-the-scenes truth of the Degrassi franchise—raw, real, and sometimes troubling—while celebrating the powerful legacy of a show that made teens everywhere feel seen.

Whatever It Takes celebrates the groundbreaking legacy of Degrassi, a fearless teen drama that tackled taboo topics and changed TV forever, while uncovering the behind-the-scenes tensions and personal sacrifices that shaped Canada’s most iconic franchise.

Produced by WildBrain and Peacock Alley Entertainment, and directed by Lisa Rideout (Sex with Sue, This is Pop), Degrassi: Whatever It Takes features interviews and insights on the show’s legacy from creator Linda Schuyler, executive producer Stephen Stohn, superfans, including filmmaker Kevin Smith, and cast of the Degrassi universe, including Dayo Ade, Stefan Brogren, Amanda and Maureen Deiseach, Aubrey Drake Graham, Shenae Grimes-Beech, Jake Epstein, Shane Kippel, Miriam McDonald, Stacie Mistysyn, Melinda Shankar, Amanda Stepto , Jordan Todosey and more.

Rideout said: “Degrassi changed the landscape of television with real, unvarnished storytelling and did it unapologetically from a teenage perspective. I was inspired by how fearless the series was in tackling issues that others wouldn’t touch. This documentary celebrates the iconic Canadian franchise while revealing the impact it had on the people who made it and the audiences who loved it.”

Carrie Mudd, Executive producer for Peacock Alley, said: “Degrassi is more than a TV show—it’s a time capsule of growing up, full of heart, honesty and every ‘first’ experience you can think of. Nothing then, or now, has captured the teenage experience in a more raw, authentic or unfiltered way. Degrassi is one of Canada’s biggest cultural exports, which helped shape four decades of TV and touched multiple generations of kids around the world. Telling its story felt like honouring a piece of the Canadian identity.”

Degrassi: Whatever It Takes is executive produced by Josh Scherba, Stephanie Betts and Angela Boudreault for WildBrain, and by Carrie Mudd (Leonard Cohen: Tower of Song; Travelers) for Peacock Alley. The documentary is produced by Mudd and Erin Sharp (Sex with Sue, Hip-Hop Evolution) and is written by Rideout and Celine Wong (Hip-Hop Evolution, The Loneliest Race).

For Degrassi: Whatever It Takes TIFF tickets and screening times, please visit: tiff.net/films/degrassi-whatever-it-takes

Degrassi’s 40-year legacy

Always tuned in and never afraid to speak the truth, Degrassi is one of the most enduring franchises in the history of youth programming. For over four decades, watching Degrassi has been a rite of passage for teenagers everywhere, providing a mirror on their passions, struggles and triumphs as they navigate high school and the road to selfhood. Always at the vanguard of inspiration, education and entertainment, Degrassi has been unafraid to tackle even the most challenging stories, from teen pregnancy to racism to gender identity and more. Degrassi has been recognized with dozens of awards, including two International Emmy Awards, two Teen Choice Awards and a Peabody.

About Lisa Rideout

Lisa Rideout is an award-winning director and writer whose childhood was shaped by two things: fearless women and all the television she watched. Her work reflects both influences, centering boundary-pushing women and pop culture. Her films, including the CSA-winning Sex with Sue, have screened globally and received numerous awards.

About WildBrain

At WildBrain we inspire imaginations through the wonder of storytelling. As a leader in 360° franchise management, we are experts in Content Creation, Audience Engagement and Global Licensing, cultivating and growing love for our own and partner brands around the world. With approximately 14,000 half-hours of kids’ and family content in our library—one of the world’s most extensive—we are home to such treasured franchises as Peanuts, Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Inspector Gadget and Degrassi. WildBrain’s mission is to create exceptional entertainment experiences that captivate and delight fans both young and young at heart.

Our studios produce such award-winning series as The Snoopy Show; Snoopy in Space; Camp Snoopy; Strawberry Shortcake: Berry in the Big City; Yo Gabba GabbaLand!; Sonic Prime; Teletubbies Let’s Go! and many more. Enjoyed on platforms worldwide, our content is everywhere kids and families view entertainment, including YouTube, where our network has garnered approximately 1.5 trillion minutes of watch time. Our television group owns and operates some of Canada’s most loved family entertainment channels. WildBrain CPLG, our leading consumer-products and location-based entertainment agency, represents our owned and partner properties in every major territory worldwide.

WildBrain is headquartered in Canada with offices worldwide and trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: WILD). Visit us at wildbrain.com.

About Peacock Alley Entertainment

Peacock Alley Entertainment distinguishes itself as an independent force committed to cultivate and amplify distinctive voices. Founded by Carrie Mudd, the company has earned recognition for its unwavering dedication to authentic, pioneering storytelling—delivering both successful scripted series and acclaimed premium documentary programming that resonates with critics and audiences alike.

Recent projects include premium documentaries 50,000 First Dates: A True Story (Amazon Global), Harder Better Faster Stronger (CBC), Leonard Cohen If It Be Your Will (CBC), and Catching a Serial Killer: Bruce McArthur (Peacock). Other notable titles include A User’s Guide to Cheating Death (Netflix), Brave New Girls (E!) and Tower of Song: Leonard Cohen (CBC).

Peacock Alley’s first feature film, Previously Saved Version, written by Brad Wright and directed by Kei Ishikawa, with Amazon Studios, premiered worldwide in 2024. Award-winning scripted series include Brad Wright’s Travelers (Netflix) starring Eric McCormack, original true-crime comedy series New Eden (Crave) written by Kayla Lorette and Evany Rosen, and drama series Tiny Pretty Things (Netflix) based on the bestselling YA book.

Currently in production are premium documentary projects BIG FEMININE ENERGY; and 2 true crime docuseries, ABOVE SUSPICION: COLONEL RUSSELL WILLIAMS and GHOST ON A WIRE: MURDER IN QUEENSVILLE.

This September, W Network and STACKTV are delivering uplifting, feel-good stories guaranteed to warm hearts with the series premiere of Celebrations with Lacey Chabert and the return of Hallmark Channel’s Fall Into Love .

Debuting as a special two-hour series premiere on Sunday, September 14 at 8 p.m. ET/PT and available to stream on STACKTV, Celebrations with Lacey Chabert follows beloved Hallmark Channel star and philanthropist Lacey Chabert as she surprises deserving members of the community who are making a positive impact on the world by throwing them the celebration of a lifetime. This aspirational and visually rich series combines heart, the spirit of generosity and dazzling events as Chabert and her team plan epic surprise parties to give back to those who are making a positive impact.

Then, come along for the (hay)ride as W Network delivers countless romantic and heartfelt “aww-tumn” moments during Hallmark Channel’s Fall Into Love from September 6 to October 12 with back-to-back movies every weekend and all-new exclusive premieres. From the return of Mystery Island to the highly-anticipated Groomsmen trilogy filmed on location in Italy, Greece and Bulgaria, W Network is bringing a star-studded lineup guaranteed to have viewers glued to the screen all season long. All titles from this bountiful fall flick lineup will also be available to stream on STACKTV. This year’s batch of brand new movie premieres include:

The Groomsmen First Look – Saturday, September 6
The Groomsmen Second Chances – Saturday, September 13
Mystery Island: House Rules – Friday, September 19
The Groomsmen Last Dance – Saturday, September 20
Adventures in Love & Birding – Saturday, September 27
Home Turf – Saturday, October 4
Haul Out the Halloween – Saturday, October 11
W Network can be streamed via STACKTV, available on Amazon Prime Video, Bell Fibe TV app, Fubo, Rogers Ignite TV and Ignite Streaming. The network is also available through all major TV distributors, including: Shaw, Shaw Direct, Rogers, Bell, Videotron, Telus, Cogeco, Eastlink and SaskTel.

Focus Features and Universal Pictures Canada will release Bugonia with special limited engagement on October 24, 2025 ahead of a wide expansion on October 31, 2025. Trailer arriving tomorrow!

Directed by: Yorgos Lanthimos
Screenplay by: Will Tracy
Cast: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias, and Alicia Silverstone
Produced by: Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone, Ari Aster, Lars Knudsen, Miky Lee, Jerry Kyoungboum Ko
Synopsis: Two conspiracy obsessed young men kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company, convinced that she is an alien intent on destroying planet Earth.

As TIFF celebrates its 50th year, Toronto’s dining scene is set to shine just as brightly as the red carpet. From late-night industry haunts to cinematic dining rooms and star-studded hotel lobbies, these are the city’s most buzzworthy celebrity hotspots this festival season.

✨ Vinny Restaurant & Vinyl Bar
Address: 461 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1K4

Formerly known as Pink Sky, Vinny has long been a TIFF favourite—and this year promises to be no different. The restaurant serves globally inspired plates with bold, playful twists, perfectly paired with a curated DJ soundtrack. As the night deepens, Vinny’s late-night menu keeps the energy alive well past 11 PM, making it an ideal after-premiere destination.

Past celebrity sightings: Andrew Garfield, Dakota Johnson, Jude Law, Paul Rudd

✨ Honey Chinese
Address: 600 King St W, 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 1M3

Moody, cinematic, and transportive, Honey Chinese channels Wong Kar-wai’s In the Mood for Love. Expect nostalgic yet playful takes on Canadian-Chinese classics, complete with neon-orange sauces, glowing red lanterns, and fortune cookies that feel straight out of a film scene.

✨ Primadonna
Address: 600 King St W, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 1M3

A kitschy, stylish nod to Italian mobster legends and glamorous mob wives, Primadonna delivers hearty Italian-American comfort food by Executive Chef Marc in a room filled with vintage art, plush banquettes, and a bold mural made for Instagram. A lively, high-energy space where celebrities can blend in—or make a scene.

Past celebrity sightings: Jessica Chastain, Lucy Liu, Oprah

✨ Beso by Patria
Address: 478 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1L7

The vibrant new chapter of beloved Patria, Beso is bold, colourful, and unapologetically Spanish. With dramatic custom artwork and interiors that radiate energy, Beso brings a kiss of Spain to Toronto. Chef Stuart Cameron’s menu—tapas, paella, fresh seafood, and grilled meats—paired with inventive cocktails, makes it an instant A-list draw.

Past celebrity sightings: Pharrell Williams, Andrew Garfield, and more

✨ Animl Steakhouse & Cocktail Den
Address: 420A Wellington St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1E3

Animl is the definition of “elegantly untamed.” Inspired by the glamour and excess of the 1970s—think Studio 54 meets Art Deco allure—the space features gold-leaf ceilings, animal prints, and a dazzling mirror-encased bull suspended overhead. Executive Chef Marc Cheng and his team deliver a modern, refined take on the steakhouse, with dry-aged cuts, fresh seafood, indulgent sides, and a cocktail program designed to tell stories with every pour. A luxurious, mysterious, and primal destination where TIFF stars are bound to gather.

✨ Daphne
Address: 67 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5H 1Z5

A breakout star of TIFF 2024, Daphne played host to Vanity Fair’s cover launch with Demi Moore, as well as dinners with Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek. This year, several high-profile red-carpet events are rumoured to take place here. Its chic vibe and exceptional service have already made it a celebrity go-to.

✨ Bisha Hotel
Address: 80 Blue Jays Way, Toronto, ON M5V 2G3

No TIFF guide is complete without Bisha Hotel, the beating heart of celebrity sightings in Toronto’s Entertainment District. With Deadline Studio returning this year, Bisha is once again set to be a must-stop for Hollywood’s elite.

Mister C – The glamorous lobby bar has hosted Justin Bieber, Jude Law, Ben Stiller, Hailey Baldwin, Naomi Campbell, and Michael B. Jordan.

Akira Back – A global culinary hotspot, favoured by Oprah Winfrey, Ryan Reynolds, Meryl Streep, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Zendaya.

KOST – A rooftop with skyline views and star power to match, welcoming Drake, Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Gosling, Sofia Vergara, Shaquille O’Neal, and more.

From cinematic dining rooms to rooftop views, these are the restaurants where stars will dine, unwind, and celebrate during TIFF’s milestone 50th edition.

Nikon Canada Inc. is pleased to announce the release of firmware version 2.00 for its full-frame/FX-format mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z6III. This marks the first major update since the launch of the Z6III and introduces several features equivalent to those found in the flagship Nikon Z9 and Nikon Z8.

With its already incredible high-speed performance, this firmware update adds the long-awaited [Birds] mode to subject detection, offering an enhanced shooting experience for both still and videos. Plus, the Auto Capture function now enables automatic shooting under pre-configured conditions, supporting flexible shooting styles tailored to various situations.

Additionally, for the first time for a Nikon product, the Z6III supports the Nikon Authenticity Service^*1 – a solution primarily aimed at media organizations and creators who require a high level of trustworthiness in their work. The service is compatible with the C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) standard, clearly recording provenance information from shooting through to editing to ensure greater transparency and reliability of content.

Nikon will continue to enhance its products through firmware updates that address user needs, while also fostering an environment in which all photographers and creators can engage in creative and professional activities with confidence and peace of mind.

Improved Subject Detection with Dedicated [Birds] Mode

A dedicated [Birds] mode has been added to the Z6III’s subject-detection options. When [Birds] mode is selected, the camera automatically tracks birds in flight with great precision, keeping them in focus even against complex, high-contrast backgrounds such as forests and rocky mountains. This allows photographers to concentrate on framing images, helping to meet their expectations. There is also a [Focus limiter setting] that can be assigned to a custom control to limit the shooting distance range, for more accurate focusing on the desired subject. In addition, the [JPEG fine] image quality setting can now be selected when Pre-Release Capture, which records images for up to one second before the shutter-release button is fully pressed, is used during full-frame shooting at 60 fps. This makes it possible to capture the moment a bird takes flight with superior image quality.

C2PA Compliance With Image Provenance Function

Nikon is committed to developing an image provenance function that supports confirmation of image authenticity, aiming to protect individuals and enterprises in the imaging industry from any unfavourable results caused by falsification and/or image manipulation, and to realize a society in which creative and business activities can be conducted with greater peace of mind. Z6III firmware version 2.00 includes an image provenance function that complies with the C2PA standard and is part of the Nikon Authenticity Service. By making a prior request through Nikon Imaging Cloud, users can load the digital certificate necessary for recording provenance data onto the Z6III.

The image provenance function adds metadata – such as information about the equipment used and data that makes it easy to verify whether the image has been tampered with, including a digital signature – to captured image files. This enables users to prove that a photo was taken with a Nikon camera.

^*2 If the image is then edited repeatedly using C2PA-compliant editing software, additional provenance information can be embedded in the image alongside the original shooting data, making it possible to prove that no misleading edits have been made.

^*3 In addition, image provenance data can be viewed in Nikon Imaging Cloud.

*1 There are some restrictions on shooting when the image provenance function is enabled.

*2 Provenance information is not embedded in images that are edited in-camera.

Auto Capture Function Expands Shooting Possibilities in Any A Variety Of Situations

Firmware version 2.00 adds the Auto Capture function, which enables automatic shooting with pre-configured conditions. This allows users to specify the subject type, direction of movement, and shooting distance range^*4 to capture previously difficult scenes, such as those that require shooting in places or positions where photographers would disturb their subject. The function is also equipped with a scheduling feature that allows the user to specify the day and time to initiate Auto Capture in advance, reducing battery consumption between camera setup and the start of shooting. In combination with a USB-to-Ethernet adapter^*5, it enables high-speed data transfer even to remote destinations, meeting the high demands of professional environments.

Expanded Functions and Improvements to Operability

– An [Automatic monitor display switch] function for disabling the eye sensor when the vari-angle monitor is deployed has been added, a first for the Nikon Z series.

– A function that allows users to exit the zoom view with a half-press of the shutter-release button when the focus mode is set to manual has been added.

– Pixel shift shooting can now be used in combination with focus shift shooting or AE bracketing settings for more precise photographic expression than ever before.

– A [Recall shooting functions] option that allows users to recall previously stored settings – including shooting mode, shutter speed, aperture value, and ISO sensitivity – with the press of a button has been added to the roles that can be assigned to a custom control.

– Adds support for USB streaming (UVC/UAC), which allows the camera to be used as a webcam by simply connecting it to a computer or smartphone.

– By default, firmware updates are now installed automatically after the camera connects to Nikon Imaging Cloud (a note about setting the camera’s date and time has been added to the instructions for connecting to the cloud to prevent connection errors between Nikon Imaging Cloud and the camera).

– Operation has been simplified by automatically displaying an update confirmation dialog on the camera monitor after registering an imaging recipe in Nikon Imaging Cloud.

Nikon Z6III owners can visit the website here to learn more about the new firmware. Nikon will continue to enhance its products through firmware updates that address user needs, while also fostering an environment in which all photographers and creators can engage in creative and professional activities with confidence and peace of mind.

About Nikon

Nikon is a world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and technologies for photo and video capture; globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for an award-winning array of equipment that enables visual storytelling and content creation. Nikon Canada Inc. distributes consumer and professional Z Series mirrorless camera, digital SLR cameras, a vast array of NIKKOR and NIKKOR Z lenses, Speedlights and system accessories, Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras and Nikon software products. For more information visit www.nikon.ca, which links all levels of photographers and visual storytellers to the Web’s most comprehensive learning and sharing communities. Connect with Nikon Canada on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok and YouTube.

TIFF is delighted to reveal the 2025 award categories, jury members, and prizes that will honour the year’s most exceptional works. The juries, composed of renowned film critics and filmmakers, will evaluate films for prestigious honours including the two Canadian feature film awards, the FIPRESCI Prize from the International Federation of Film Critics, and the NETPAC Award from the Network for the Promotion of Asian Pacific Cinema. All prizes will be presented during an in-person awards ceremony that will also be livestreamed at 10 am ET at TIFF Lightbox on Sunday, September 14, the last day of the Festival. The 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, runs September 4–14, 2025.

Awards descriptions including eligibility can be found here: tiff.net/awards

2025 Jury for Best Canadian Feature Film & Best Canadian Discovery Awards

The Best Canadian Discovery Award celebrates works of emerging filmmakers who contribute to enriching the Canadian film landscape. All Canadian first or second feature films in Official Selection are eligible for this award. The winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000. Last year’s winner was Matthew Rankin’s Universal Language.

The Best Canadian Feature Film Award honours the unique craft and storytelling in Canadian cinema. All Canadian feature films in Official Selection — excluding first or second features — will be considered for the award. The winning filmmaker will receive a $10,000 cash prize. Last year’s prize went to Sophie Deraspe’s Shepherds.

Jennifer Baichwal has been directing and producing documentaries for nearly three decades. Among other films, installations, and lens-based projects, she has made 10 feature documentaries including the Festival Official Selections Manufactured Landscapes (Best Canadian Feature Film, TIFF ’06) ; Long Time Running (Gala Presentations, TIFF ’17); and ANTHROPOCENE: The Human Epoch (Canada’s Top Ten, TIFF ’18).

Sophie Jarvis is a Swiss-Canadian filmmaker whose feature debut Until Branches Bend (TIFF ’22) won the Prix de Soleure at the Solothurner Filmtage, the Netflix Breakthrough Award at the Athena Film Festival, and Best BC Film at VIFF. It also received a CSA nomination for Best Original Screenplay in 2023.

R.T. Thorne is a prolific triple threat: director, screenwriter, and producer. His television work has garnered multiple Canadian Screen Awards and an Emmy nomination. His critically acclaimed feature debut, 40 Acres (TIFF ’24), starring Danielle Deadwyler, is a Canada’s Top Ten honouree. The film had its North American theatrical release this summer.

2025 FIPRESCI Jury

The FIPRESCI Prize is presented by an international jury selected by the International Federation of Film Critics. Founded in 1925, the Federation awards the prize at international film festivals to promote film art and to encourage new and young cinema. The FIPRESCI Jury will award the Prize of International Critics, dedicated to emerging filmmakers, to a debut feature film having its World Premiere in TIFF’s Discovery programme.

Katharina Dockhorn studied history and cultural studies at Humboldt University in Berlin. Since 1993, she has been working as a freelance journalist for television stations, daily newspapers, monthly magazines, and trade papers. Her areas of expertise include film policy and the film industry. She was one of the founding members of the Professional Association of German Media Journalists, of which she is a board member.

Francisco Ferreira is a journalist and film critic born in Lisbon. He graduated as a mechanical engineer from the Technical University of Lisbon, where he began programming for the film club. His collaborations have appeared in a number of books, texts published by film festival catalogues and international film magazines such as Cahiers du Cinéma (France), Film Comment (USA), Cinema Scope (Canada), and Caiman Cuadernos de Cine (Spain). He has been working as a film critic for the Portuguese press since 1998.

Jean-Philippe Guerand has been a film journalist since 1982 and a member of the French Union of Film Critics. He has contributed to French publications such as Première, Le Film Français, TéléCinéObs and L’Avant-Scène Cinéma. Host of the blog Persona Grata, he has also written biographies of Woody Allen, Cyril Collard, James Dean, Jacques Tati, Bernard Blier, and Jean Rochefort.

Andy Hazel is a film journalist based in Melbourne, Australia where he is also the senior editorial producer at The Saturday Paper. Andy is a regular contributor to IndieWire, Guardian Australia, The Curb, and A Rabbit’s Foot. He is also a voting member of the Golden Globes and host of Twin Peaks The Return: A Season Three Podcast.

Justine Smith is the screen editor at Cult MTL and the programmer of the Underground Section at the Fantasia International Film Festival. She’s written for BFI, Little White Lies, Vinegar Syndrome, and Ebert Voices. She is currently working on her first book.

2025 NETPAC Jury

Presented by the Network for the Promotion of Asian Pacific Cinema, the NETPAC Award recognizes films specifically from the Asian and Pacific regions. The jury consists of three international community members selected by TIFF and NETPAC, who award the prize to the best Asian film by a first or second-time feature director. In 2024, the NETPAC Award went to Sue Kim’s The Last of the Sea Women.

Dina Iordanova is a professor of global cinema and an expert in transnational film festivals. She is the author of Film Festivals in East Asia, has been a visiting professor at the University of Hong Kong and Beijing Film Academy, has given masterclasses and served on juries of festivals across Asia, including BIFF and YIDFF.

Helen Lee is a Seoul-born, Toronto-based filmmaker. Her films include: Tenderness (TIFF ’24), Hers At Last (TIFF ’18), The Art of Woo (TIFF ’01), Subrosa (TIFF ’00); Prey (TIFF ’95), My Niagara (TIFF ’92, Special Jury Citation), and Sally’s Beauty Spot (TIFF ’90, Honourable Mention, Best Canadian Short).

Keoprasith Souvannavong (Jury Chair) is a French journalist, born in Laos and based in Paris. He has worked since 1993 for Radio France Internationale, for which he has covered various international film festivals. He also acted in the feature film The Scent of Green Papaya, which received the Caméra d’Or at the Cannes and was nominated for an Academy Award.

People’s Choice Awards presented by Rogers

A longstanding TIFF tradition, the People’s Choice Awards are marking their 48th year. The People’s Choice Award is an Oscars bellwether with a rich history; past winners include Chariots of Fire, The Princess Bride, Slumdog Millionaire, and the 2023 debut feature from Cord Jefferson, American Fiction. All feature films and series in TIFF’s Official Selection are eligible.

The four audience-voted awards are the People’s Choice Award, the People’s Choice Documentary Award, the People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award and, new this year, the International People’s Choice Award. The 2024 winners were The Life of Chuck, The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal, and The Substance. The 2025 People’s Choice Awards are presented by Rogers.

The 2025 Jury for TIFF’s competitive programme, Platform, was recently announced with Carlos Marqués-Marcet (Jury Chair), Marianne Jean-Baptiste, and Chloé Robichaud. The 2025 Short Cuts jurors Ashley Iris Gill, Marcel Jean, and Connor Jessup were also announced and will be evaluating new Short Cuts Awards for Best Animated Short Film, Best International Short Film, and Best Canadian Short Film.

The 50th Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, runs September 4–14, 2025

An expert thief rolls out the biggest heist of his life in Play Dirty, an action-packed thriller from director Shane Black. Parker (Mark Wahlberg), along with Grofield (LaKeith Stanfield), Zen (Rosa Salazar) and a skilled crew, stumble onto a score that pits them against the New York mob in this gritty, clever caper.

Directed by Shane Black

Starring Mark Wahlberg, LaKeith Stanfield, Rosa Salazar, Keegan-Michael Key, Chukwudi Iwuji, Nat Wolff with Thomas Jane and Tony Shalhoub

Written by Shane Black & Charles Mondry & Anthony Bagarozzi

Based on The “Parker” Book Series By Richard Stark

Produced by Jules Daly, p.g.a., Marc Toberoff, James W. Skotchdopole, p.g.a.

Executive Produced by Susan Downey, Robert Downey Jr., Charles Mondry, Anthony Bagarozzi

Runtime 125 minutes

Rated R

Today, Disney+ revealed the official trailer for FX’s “The Lowdown,” a new drama series from Sterlin Harjo and starring executive producer Ethan Hawke. The series will have its world premiere and screen the first episode at TIFF on September 4, and will debut with the first two episodes on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on FX, and stream the next day on Disney+ in Canada. A new episode will premiere each following week.  Trailer here.

“The Lowdown” from creator, executive producer, writer and director Sterlin Harjo (“Reservation Dogs”) and starring executive producer Ethan Hawke, follows the gritty exploits of citizen journalist “Lee Raybon” (Hawke), a self-proclaimed Tulsa “truthstorian” whose obsession with the truth is always getting him into trouble. 

Lee lives and works in a rare bookstore tucked in the heart of Tulsa – a local refuge and unofficial community hub. While Lee’s no idealist, he’s fiercely committed to exposing corruption and unearthing the city’s hidden rot, even when it puts him at risk. His constant sleuthing pulls him deep into Tulsa’s underbelly – and often away from his 14-year-old daughter “Francis” (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), a precocious kid who’s inherited his curiosity and longs to join him on his adventures. His ex “Samantha” (Kaniehtiio Horn) is exasperated by Lee’s endless digging, but still sees the good in him – especially when it comes to Francis, the one thing they’ve never stopped showing up for.

When the publication of Lee’s latest exposé – a deep dive into the powerful Washberg family – is immediately followed by the suspicious suicide of “Dale Washberg” (Tim Blake Nelson), the black sheep of the family, Lee knows he’s stumbled onto something big. Following a trail of breadcrumbs Dale has left behind, urging someone to dig deeper into the circumstances surrounding his death, Lee does just that. What Lee finds is that “Betty Jo” (Jeanne Tripplehorn), the grieving widow, seems to be more interested in her brother-in-law “Donald Washberg” (Kyle MacLachlan), a gubernatorial candidate, than in her dearly departed. And powerful forces want to prevent Lee from learning anything more.

Lee has also gained the attention of a mysterious stranger who seems to appear whenever Lee least expects it: refined and suave, “Marty” (Keith David) shares Lee’s appreciation of great literary minds, and seems unusually interested in his investigation into the Washberg family.

This eight-episode Tulsa noir series is created by executive producer Sterlin Harjo, who also wrote and directed the pilot. Garrett Basch, series’ lead Ethan Hawke, and Ryan Hawke also executive produce. “The Lowdown” is produced by FX Productions.

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