#FIRSTLOOK: YORKVILLE MURALS RETURN AUGUST 22-23, 2026

Yorkville Murals (YVM) is back from August 22–23, 2026 to transform the neighbourhood into a vibrant open-air celebration of visual art, fashion, photography, music, poetry and design. The free festival will welcome more than 70,000 visitors to discover internationally acclaimed artists, emerging creative voices, monumental public art and live cultural experiences unfolding throughout the village.

Now in its seventh year, YVM has grown into one of Canada’s leading multidisciplinary cultural festivals, reimagining streets, courtyards and public spaces as places to experience art, creativity and connection. Guided by this year’s theme, JOY, the festival celebrates the belief that culture has the power to bring people together and transform the way we experience our cities.

YORKVILLE AS THE CANVAS

At the centre of this year’s festival is The Sunset Garden, a monumental wraparound courtyard mural by internationally acclaimed Canadian artist Ola Volo. The immersive installation transforms the Taglialatella Gallery courtyard into a vibrant world inspired by mythology, transformation and nature. Throughout the weekend, the courtyard comes alive with live DJs, drinks and all-day programming, creating an open-air gathering place where art, music and community converge. Through PATTISON Outdoor’s Community Connections program, the work also extends beyond Yorkville to TTC platforms and digital billboards across Toronto, bringing the festival into the everyday lives of commuters.

Ola Volo is currently creating her masterpiece in the courtyard of Taglialatella Gallery until Friday.

ABOUT OLA VOLO

Ola Volo (BFA, Emily Carr University) is a Canadian Mural artist and illustrator from Kazakhstan with a distinctive style drawn from folklore, multiculturalism and identity. Her intricate works bring animals, people, architecture and nature together to articulate diverse stories rich with symbolism and elaborate forms. Ola creates complex narratives that acknowledge the subtleties of human nature while celebrating the little surprises of everyday life.

Follow along on IG for more here.

#FIRSTLOOK: “TRAUMA” STARRING RICHARD MADDEN COMING TO PARAMOUNT+

Paramount+ today announced Trauma, a new medical action-thriller series from Lionsgate Television and 42 Management & Production, starring Golden Globe®-winning actor Richard Madden (Game of Thrones, Bodyguard, Eternals). The series will premiere on Paramount+ in all available territories excluding the U.K. and Ireland.

Logline: When terrorists seize a busy London Hospital and take the Prime Minister hostage during surgery, former Royal Marines medic turned ER doctor Jim Marchant (Richard Madden) must fight his way through the building to save everyone inside. As he takes the hospital floor by floor, the balance of power shifts—and the building becomes a deadly battle of strategy, nerve and survival.

Trauma, which is a working title, is produced by Lionsgate Television and 42. The series is created by Geoff Bussetil (Slow Horses, Scoop, Skins), who will also write. Prime Video and Paramount+ will co-produce. The series is directed by Daniel Syrkin (Tehran, MobLand) and produced by Chrissy Skinns (A Spy Among Friends, The Last Kingdom), with 42’s Chris Kennedy serving as co-producer. Madden, Syrkin and 42’s Ben Pugh and Ben Cavey will executive produce.

Trauma came together through a unique co-production model brokered by Lionsgate Television and 42, bringing together Prime Video and Paramount+ for distribution. Lionsgate holds a minority stake in 42.

Trauma is exactly the kind of bold, global and propulsive storytelling we want Paramount+ audiences to experience,” said Jane Wiseman, Head of Originals for Paramount+. “Geoff Bussetil has crafted a nail-biting thriller that puts our audience inside one impossible night with a hero played by the incredibly talented Richard Madden. We can’t wait for viewers around the world to feel their pulse racing alongside his.”

“This premium global series has come together through exceptional creative collaboration and innovative dealmaking,” said Scott Herbst, EVP & Head of Scripted Development, Lionsgate Television. “Together with 42, we’ve assembled a best-in-class team of partners in Prime Video and Paramount+, and the result is a gripping, high-stakes series that showcases Geoff Bussetil’s distinctive vision and Richard Madden’s undeniable appeal. Trauma demonstrates what’s possible when strong creative and distribution partners align behind ambitious, internationally resonant storytelling.”

42’s Managing Director of International TV, Ben Cavey, added: “Geoff Bussetil has crafted an absolute page turner of a thriller, which uniquely brings together the fast-paced energy of a hospital ER with a high-stakes siege thriller. It’s hard to imagine a more perfect director than Daniel Syrkin, with his brilliant mastery of on-screen tension and complex drama – and Richard Madden was of course made to play this flawed but good-hearted hero, an ex-military man turned Doctor who is about to have the longest and most intense shift of his life.”

Madden can next be seen in Netflix’s upcoming series Trinity. Previously, he starred in Amazon’s feature film Killer Heat and Marvel Studios’ Eternals, directed by Academy Award® winner Chloé Zhao. In 2019, Madden won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series for Netflix’s Emmy Award®-nominated series Bodyguard. He also starred in both seasons of The Russo Brothers’ Citadel. He is repped by CAA, Anonymous Content and Sloane, Offer, Weber and Dern, LLP.

This announcement follows other recent greenlights from Paramount+ including Ascent starring Viola Davis, the Clueless Sequel Event Series with Alicia Silverstone returning, Laird, led by Kenneth Branagh, Fear Not starring Anne Hathaway, 9/12 starring Jeremy Strong and Discretion starring Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning.

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About Paramount+:

Paramount+ is the global flagship streaming home of premium original series and entertainment from some of the most enduring brands in television to subscribers around the world. Drawing on decades of beloved IP, Paramount+ also features a diverse offering of live sports, feature films, news and series from across the Paramount portfolio including CBS hits like Marshals and Tracker, all BET Original Series, the Avatar animated universe from Nickelodeon and more. It is a key pillar of the Direct-to-Consumer division at Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY), whose portfolio spans Paramount Pictures, Pluto TV, and Skydance Animation, Games and Sports divisions. For more information, visit www.paramount.com.

#SPOTTED: OLIVIA DEAN IN TORONTO FOR “THE ART OF LOVING LIVE” TOUR | WITH SUPPORTING ACT BABY ROSE

Playing the first of two sold-out shows, Grammy-winning Singer-Songwriter Olivia Dean brings her THE ART OF LOVING LIVE Tour to Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena. The English Songstress has seen her profile skyrocket with two back-to-back smash hits, “The Man I Need” and “So Easy (To Fall in Love)”, which continue still to dominate streams and airwaves after a long run.

Dean divided her show, supported by Baby Rose, into three segments, focusing on material from her two albums Messy and The Art of Loving, plus a Prince cover “I Wanna Be Your Lover“. She delivered an energetic, yet personable experience for her fans that spanned two stages, giving fans a thrill when she surfaced on a second stage. The show ended on a high note with up-tempo numbers which had the crowd on their feet before the air was filled with an explosion of confetti — with inspirational messages inscribed nonetheless.

“Carmen” was dedicated to immigrants and her grandmother, telling the audience that her grandparents are Jamaican and Guyanese, bravely starting new lives in London, which would pave her destiny today. Dean and her crew were later spotted that night at Woody’s on Church Street, where she was spotted.

Highlights:

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Baby Rose at Kops Records:

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(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#FIRSTLOOK: ZARRAR KAHN’S “THE LION DOES NOT CONCERN HIMSELF” TO PREMIERE AT TIFF

Zarrar Kahn of CityLights Media, Lauren Saarimaki of POV Film and Mina Husain of Suno Studios are pleased to announce the gym-incel (“gym-cel”) romantic-comedy, The Lion Does Not Concern Himself, from writer/director Zarrar Kahn (In Flames) will have its world premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival in the Short Cuts Programme 2 programme. The film stars Mohammad Ali Hashmi (In Flames, Stray Dogs Come Out at Night), Naomi Eidinger (D.I.Y., Swiped), Richesse Kabongo (A.A. (The Alex & Ariel Story), and Steve Cartwright.

In the sterile glow of a Queen West gym, a young trainer broadcasts his ambitions to nine subscribers. When a new client disrupts his routine, the boundary between his online persona and true self becomes a choice that he isn’t ready to face.

The Lion Does Not Concern Himself is co-written by Kahn and Mohammad Ali Hashmi, and produced by Lauren Saarimaki and Hamza Bangash, executive produced by Mina Husain, with Nic Altobelli serving as Co-Producer and Mohammad Ali Hashmi as Associate Producer.

“We shot The Lion Does Not Concern Himself a few blocks away from TIFF at a local gym on Queen West. The film is sort of about the manosphere, sort of about the gender divide, and sort of about the inherent goofiness of falling in love. The Toronto audience is exactly who we made this movie for, and we’re thrilled to be at TIFF,” said Zarrar Kahn.

“After I started working out, I witnessed the absurdity of hyper-performative masculinity. This was where the idea of The Lion Does Not Concern Himself came from. As an actor, it was exciting to flex both my comedic and literal muscles,” said Mohammad Ali Hashmi.

“As a psychiatrist, I believe understanding men’s mental health means understanding the cultural landscape young men are navigating and the forces that shape their search for identity, connection, and belonging” said Executive Producer, Mina Husain.

Produced in partnership with POV Film, The Lion Does Not Concern Himself is also a testament to the power of on set mentorship. Nearly 80% of the crew were participants of POV’s inFOCUS Training Program, many earning their first professional screen credit on the production. Working alongside experienced industry professionals, participants helped bring the film to life.

“Working with POV’s participants on this set was incredibly special. Having The Lion Does Not Concern Himselfpremiere at TIFF is a testament that showcases what’s possible when you invest in the extraordinary community of diverse emerging talent from across Toronto,” said Lauren Saarimaki.

Cinematography by Ash Tailor (Save the Date, The Feeling of the Word Autumn), production design by Jaedan Royer-Alexander (POV Alumni), costume design by Kelly Henderson (Pit), and editing by Craig Scorgie (15 Ways My Dad Almost Died, In Flames) and Zarrar Kahn.

ABOUT ZARRAR KAHN

Zarrar Kahn is a Toronto-based filmmaker whose 2023 debut feature, In Flames, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival’s Director’s Fortnight, won Best Picture at the Red Sea Film Festival, and served as Pakistan’s official 2024 Academy Awards submission. Winner of the Canadian Screen Award for Best Debut Picture, Kahn is an alumnus of the Canadian Film Centre and TIFF Talent Lab. Kahn focuses on socially conscious genre filmmaking that highlights marginalized communities. He is currently directing his next major project, a climate thriller titled Suffering Is Optional. Produced by CityLights Media, the film stars Marvel breakout actress, Iman Vellani, as a young drama student grappling with institutional abuse and a ghostly climate prophecy.

ABOUT MOHAMMAD ALI HASHMI

Mohammad Ali Hashmi’s break-out performance in In Flames underscored his exceptional range and emotional gravity, solidifying his reputation as a transformative actor capable of anchoring high-stakes narratives with quiet nuance and authenticity. The Lion Does Not Concern Himself is his comedy debut – speaking to his immersive approach to character-driven storytelling. Hashmi is represented for commercial and screen work by the prestigious Amanda Rosenthal Talent Agency (ART), marking him as an exciting talent and one-to-watch for North American audiences.

ABOUT LAUREN SAARIMAKI

Lauren Saarimaki is a Toronto-based film producer, educator, and mental health advocate working at the intersection of storytelling and social impact. They manage programs & operations at POV Film, where they design and implement training for emerging, equity-deserving creatives. Their producing credits include Express (TIFF 2023), Streams Flow from a River (Canneseries 2023), Pink Elephant and The Newcomer. Their projects have also screened at festivals including Nightmares Film Festival, Image+Nation, Inside Out, the Canadian Film Festival, and the Kingston Film Festival. They are the co-founder and Vice President of Operations at Area V5 Pictures. Lauren is passionate about building safer, more inclusive working conditions in the film industry and creating stories that spark change.

ABOUT MINA HUSAIN

Dr. Mina Husain is a staff psychiatrist who works across inpatient, outpatient, and emergency psychiatry settings. Her clinical and research interests focus on global mental health, culturally adapted interventions, parenting, and trauma, with her work published in peer-reviewed academic journals. Alongside her clinical practice, Dr. Husain is a film producer dedicated to using storytelling to advance conversations around mental health. She has produced a number of short films exploring themes including psychosis, self-harm, autism, paternal postnatal depression, and men’s mental health. Her award winning work has been selected at international film festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival, and distributed on platforms including Amazon Prime. Dr. Husain is currently developing innovative interventions addressing the mental health impacts of climate change and trauma. She is the founder of Suno Studios, a production company focused on socially impactful storytelling, and the creator of the Suno Residency, a mental health and film fellowship that brings together filmmakers, clinicians, and people with lived experience to foster authentic and transformative narratives.

ABOUT POV Film

Established in 2007, POV Film is a charity whose mission is to educate, connect, and support young people from traditionally underrepresented communities to develop their talent and creative passion into successful careers in the screen industry. POV provides access to free skills training, job placements, mentorship and professional development opportunities. Our programs intentionally prioritize BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, newcomer, and refugee communities to ensure everyone has access to the tools and training they need to tell the stories that mean the most to them.

#FIRSTLOOK: “THE LOVE HYPTOTHESIS” NEW TRAILER

Based on the New York Times best-selling novel by Ali Hazelwood, The Love Hypothesis follows Olive (Lili Reinhart), a brilliant Ph.D. candidate focused on her future in academia. But when she realizes her best friend Ahn (Rachel Marsh) has fallen for her crush Jeremy (Nicholas Duvernay), Olive impulsively kisses intimidating professor Adam Carlsen (Tom Bateman) to prove she’s moved on. What begins as a desperate act of friendship spirals into a fake relationship with rules, boundaries, and a mutually beneficial agreement. When their arrangement begins to blur the lines between performance and reality, Olive is forced to test her most daunting hypothesis yet: that love might actually be worth the risk.

MRC PRESENTS A CANTILLON COMPANY PRODUCTION

Director: Claire Scanlon

Writer: Sarah Rothschild

Based on the novel by: Ali Hazelwood

Producer: Elizabeth Cantillon

Cast: Lili Reinhart, Tom Bateman, Rachel Marsh, Nicholas Duvernay, Jaboukie Young-White,

Arty Froushan

Press Site

@PrimeVideoCA @PrimeMovies @AmazonMGMStudiosCA

About Prime Video

Prime Video is a first-stop entertainment destination offering customers a vast selection of premium movies, series and live sports in one app across thousands of devices. Customers can discover Prime Originals from Amazon MGM Studios alongside an unmatched library of licensed movies and series; Prime-exclusive live sports including NHL, NBA, WNBA, PWHL; and playback features like X-Ray that enhance the viewing experience.

All customers, with or without Prime, can also access 100+ add-on streaming subscriptions (Apple TV+, BritBox, Crave, Citytv+, Hayu, Paramount+, RDS, Sportsnet, STACKTV, STARZ, Super Channel, TSN, TVA Sports, and more), and the largest selection of titles available to rent or buy.

Prime Video is one of many benefits included with a Prime membership, which bundles savings, convenience, and entertainment. Prime members can share benefits, including Prime Video, through Amazon Family.

For more information on Prime Video, visit www.primevideo.ca.

#FIRSTLOOK: FINAL TRAILER FOR “INSIDIOUS: OUT OF THE FURTHER”

Today we get a new and final horrific Trailer for INSIDIOUS: OUT OF THE FURTHER! Sony Pictures Canada release August 21, 2026, in theatres.

Synopsis:
Having earned over $740 million at the global box office, the Insidious franchise returns with a new family and a terror that redefines what The Further is capable of.

In Insidious: Out of the Further, Amelia Eve stars as Gemma, a young mother raising her daughter in the house she grew up in who discovers she can travel into The Further, the purgatorial realm of lost souls at the heart of the Insidious universe. When something evil comes after her, Gemma discovers an ability that changes everything: she doesn’t just enter The Further, she can bring what lives there back to the real world. Once the demons realize her power, our world becomes their playground.

With Lin Shaye reprising her iconic role as Elise Rainier and Jacob Chase (Come Play) directing, Insidious: Out of the Further opens August 21, 2026. Screenplay by Jacob Chase. Story by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Jacob Chase.

Directed by:
Jacob Chase

Screenplay by:
Jacob Chase

Story by:
David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Jacob Chase
Based on characters created by:
Leigh Whannell

Produced by:
Jason Blum
Oren Peli
James Wan
Leigh Whannell, p.g.a.

Executive Producers:
Steven Schneider
Ryan Turek
Brian Kavanaugh-Jones

Cast:
Amelia Eve
Brandon Perea
and Lin Shaye

Credits not final

#FOOD: POMPETTE GROUP TO HOST STOCKHOLM’S LUCY’S FLOWER SHOP

The award-winning hospitality group will host the acclaimed Stockholm bar across Bar Pompette, Bar Allegro and the Toronto Cocktail Conference, August 9–11, 2026.

The Pompette Group is bringing a taste of Stockholm to Toronto this August, welcoming the team behind Lucy’s Flower Shop for three days of cocktails, music and conversation across Bar Pompette, Bar Allegro and the Toronto Cocktail Conference.
Previously ranked No. 49 on The World’s 50 Best Bars list, Lucy’s Flower Shop has earned international recognition for its precise, minimalist approach to cocktails. Its Toronto visit will bring together leading bartenders from Stockholm and Canada through two collaborative bar experiences and an educational masterclass exploring sustainability, craftsmanship and modern hospitality.

The series begins Sunday, August 9, with a one-night-only guest shift at Bar Pompette. Recently named Toronto’s Best Bar for the third consecutive year and ranked No. 2 in Canada by Canada’s 100 Best 2026 and No. 8 on North America’s 50 Best Bars, Bar Pompette will welcome Lucy’s Flower Shop for an evening featuring four of the Stockholm bar’s signature cocktails. The guest shift begins at 7 p.m. and continues until sold out.

On Monday, August 10, the collaboration moves to Bar Allegro for a lively reinvention of the traditional guest shift. Rather than offering a single fixed menu, the evening will unfold in stages as Lucy’s Flower Shop, World Class bartender Jacob Martin and Toronto cult favourite Uh Bar introduce new cocktails throughout the night.

Running from 8 p.m. to midnight, the event will also feature a live DJ set by Lucy’s Flower Shop co-founder Ola Carlson, bringing together cocktails and music in a celebration of contemporary bar culture.

The three-day series concludes Tuesday, August 11, at the Toronto Cocktail Conference with From Soil to Service: Built Better. Poured Better. The educational masterclass will examine how thoughtful sourcing, sustainable practices and skilled craftsmanship can shape a better bar experience—from the ingredients in the field to the final drink served to a guest.

The panel will feature:
Alex Skarlen, mixologist and co-founder of Lucy’s Flower Shop
Ola Carlson, mixologist and co-founder of Lucy’s Flower Shop
Maxime Hoerth, co-founder of the Pompette Group and Meilleur Ouvrier de France–honoured bartender
Mikul Kalyan, global brand ambassador for Ramsbury Spirits
The collaboration reflects the Pompette Group’s ongoing commitment to creative exchange, hospitality education and Toronto’s growing place on the international cocktail stage.

Event Schedule
Sunday, August 9
Lucy’s Flower Shop Guest Shift
Bar Pompette
7 p.m. until sold out
Monday, August 10
Lucy’s Flower Shop × Jacob Martin × Uh Bar
Bar Allegro
8 p.m.–midnight
Featuring a live DJ set by Ola Carlson
Tuesday, August 11
From Soil to Service: Built Better. Poured Better.
Toronto Cocktail Conference
4 p.m.

About the Pompette Group
The Pompette Group is a Toronto-based hospitality group behind Bar Pompette, Bakery Pompette, and Bar Allegro. Recognized internationally for its bar program and culinary perspective, the group brings together European tradition and modern hospitality.

#FIRSTLOOK: JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO 2026 FESTIVAL ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING ANNOUNCEMENT

Just For Laughs Toronto today announced the second wave of programming for its 2026 Festival, adding an exciting mix of breakout comedy stars, cult-favourite productions, live podcasts, family entertainment and stage shows, plus additional shows for John Cleese and Joe List. Newly announced performers include internationally beloved drag icon Sasha Velour, viral comedy duo Tracy & Martina, and performances from D.J. Demers, Ron Taylor, Pat Burtscher, and Stef Dag. This year’s lineup will also include the return of the popular David Lynch’s Seinfeld; a six-show run of Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody; Clash Talk: A Competitive Talk Show with Good Noticings, a pop culture panel show hosted by podcasters Claire Parker and Ashley Hamilton; Brains On! Presents Smash Boom Best Live, the interactive family science show from the hit podcast; and Loud Asians, showcasing some of Toronto’s funniest Asian comedians. Just For Laughs Toronto takes place September 24 – October 3, 2026.

“As comedy continues to evolve beyond the traditional stand-up format, Just For Laughs Toronto showcases the full spectrum of today’s comedy landscape,” said Nick Brazao, VP of Programming & Talent at Just For Laughs. “From viral creators and internationally celebrated performers to inventive theatrical comedy and boundary-pushing live experiences, this new wave of programming reflects the incredible diversity of comedy today.”

Just For Laughs Toronto will take place at various venues across the city including Meridian Hall, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre, Bluma Appel Theatre, Randolph Theatre, Comedy Bar Bloor & Danforth.

Funding provided by the Government of Ontario.

Presale tickets go on sale today at 10:00 a.m. ET, with the public on sale beginning Friday, August 7 at 10:00 a.m. ET. Visit toronto.hahaha.com.

Newly Announced Shows By Date:

Pat Burtscher
Thursday, September 24, 7:00 PM, Comedy Bar Danforth
Friday, September 25, 8:30 PM, Comedy Bar Bloor
Pat Burtscher was born in Austria via a Greek woman raised in Canada and is currently based in NYC where he’s a regular at The Comedy Cellar and other cool places. He also headlines clubs and does festivals all around the world (JFL, Edinburgh, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, New York Comedy Festival, and other cool stuff).

Joe List
Thursday, September 24, 7:00 PM, Randolph Theatre (Previously announced)
Thursday, September 24, 9:30 PM, Randolph Theatre – SECOND SHOW ADDED

Clash Talk: A Competitive Talk Show with Good Noticings
Friday, September 25, 7:00 PM, Randolph Theatre
A brand new live panel show by the hosts of Good Noticings, Claire Parker and Ashley Hamilton. Claire and Ashley will interview, bond, and clash with special guests. The audience will vote on the winner of the talk show. Good Noticings is the pop culture podcast that makes you smarter. Every week, comedians Claire Parker and Ashley Hamilton dive beyond the biggest headlines with thoughtful analysis and sharp banter. Tune in for recommendations and rapid-fire reviews of all the latest fiction, music, movies, and TV alongside their signature exploration of buzzy nonfiction.

David Lynch’s Seinfeld
Saturday, September 26, 6:00 PM, Randolph Theatre
An original episode of Seinfeld that descends into a Lynchian nightmare. Starring a cast of current and former members of The Second City, The Sketchersons, and The Bad Dog Theatre Company. Written & Directed by Paul Aihoshi, Guy Bradford, Colin Sharpe
Winner of Best of Fringe at the 2025 Toronto Fringe Festival and a Toronto Star Critics Pick.

Loud Asians
Saturday, September 26, 5:00 PM, Comedy Bar Danforth
Sunday, September 27, 6:00 PM, Comedy Bar Danforth
Loud Asians is a comedy show where Toronto’s top Asian comics disappoint our parents publicly. From generational expectations and dating trauma to WeChat family group chats and career pivots, we’re saying the quiet parts out loud. It’s honest. It’s slightly unhinged. It’s not what they immigrated for. Hosted by Yvonne Chung.
Lineup:
Sept, 26: Jordan Leung, Darren Leo, Bonggun Kim, Bidhur Walia, Michelle Sui, Yvonne Chung
Sept, 27: Jordan Leung, DK Phan, Michelle Sui, Bidhur Walia, Jesse Singh, Yvonne Chung

Stef Dag
Saturday, September 26, 9:00 PM, Comedy Bar Bloor
Sunday, September 27, 7:00 PM, Comedy Bar Bloor
Stef Dag is a Brooklyn based comedian, writer, and actor. She hosts the viral digital dating show, Hot and Single, in which she probes single people on their dating habits in an attempt to answer the age-old question: Are you the problem? Previously, she wrote & directed digital videos for Vogue, Glamour, and Vanity Fair, that featured Bill Hader, Michael Che, Colin Jost, Jennifer Lawrence and more. She was a 2022 New York Comedy Festival “Creator to Watch,” and has been featured in Betches, the NY Post, Daily Mail, AOL, Huffington Post, and more.

Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody
Sunday, September 27, 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM, Randolph Theatre
Monday, September 28, 7:00 PM, Randolph Theatre
Tuesday, September 29, 7:00 PM, Randolph Theatre
Wednesday, September 30, 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM, Randolph Theatre
Inspired by the hit show about hockey, Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody follows starry-eyed golden boy Shane Hollander on his journey from power center to power bottom. Relive all of the moments from the show that made you wet (with tears) up close on the small-stage by an incredible cast of Broadway actors who thought they were auditioning to be in Season 2. Sporting a bop-infused score, scene-stealing cameos by characters like “Rose Landry” and “Ilya’s Ass”, and time jumps absolutely no one can keep track of, audiences will find themselves hot, bothered, and probably saying, “….Girl!” Because with love, sometimes it comes when you least expect it… and sometimes, it comes hands-free. So, grab a Canada Dry and join us for this hot and steamy romp!

Ron Taylor
Wednesday, September 30, 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM, Paradise Theatre
Ron Taylor is a stand-up comedian from Detroit. He rose to national prominence as the inaugural winner of Kevin Hart’s Netflix comedy competition series Funny AF, earning a Netflix comedy special after being voted the winner by a combination of the Netflix home streaming audience and the panel of comic judges including Kevin Hart, Tom Segura, Nikki Glaser, Chelsea Handler, and Kumail Nanjiani. Previously, Ron appeared on BET’s Apollo Live and Fox’s Laughs, and was personally selected by Bill Burr to perform on Comedy Central’s stand-up showcase The Ringers. Ron tours the world performing comedy and is a proud paid regular at the World Famous Comedy Store in Hollywood and The Comedy Mothership in Austin, TX.

Not Dead Yet! John Cleese and the Holy Grail at 50
Wednesday, September 30, 7:30 PM, Wintergarden Theatre – THIRD SHOW ADDED
Thursday, October 1, 7:30 PM, Wintergarden Theatre (Previously announced)
Friday, October 2, 7:30 PM, Wintergarden Theatre (Previously announced)

Tracy & Martina
Thursday, October 1, 9:30 PM, Bluma Appel
Tracy and Martina are two best friends from Cape Breton who love to have fun with one of the biggest comedy podcasts in Canada. As their motto suggests, “save money, save time, get paid” Tracy and Martina are experts when it comes to partying on a dime. Although they live in a rural post-industrial community, these girls still find entertainment and glamour in daily activities. Let them play bingo, do the shopping, get the sh! In pairs, or on the move, Tracy and Martina never miss an opportunity to put on makeup and make a scene.

Sasha Velour
Friday, October 2, 8:00 PM, Elgin Theatre
Internationally beloved drag icon Sasha Velour is coming to Toronto with her new theatre show, Travesty. Travesty traces the secret queer history of a single spot throughout time — A witch burns in a field; a clown builds a theater; an underground gay bar rises up against the police. As Velour embodies different characters through a series of jaw-dropping lip-syncs, she invites you to take part in the cycle of existence, resistance and camp that IS drag. Part performance art, part history, part call to action, Travesty will have you screaming at the top of your lungs, dancing in the aisles and inspired to “change the muthaf*ckin’ world!”
Velour is known for her unique fusion of lip sync performance, video art, and storytelling. She is the winner of Season 9 of RuPaul’s Drag Race (2017), the founder and host of New York City’s legendary drag revue NightGowns (since 2015) and has toured two celebrated one-queen theater shows around the world—Smoke & Mirrors (2019-2022), and The Big Reveal (2023-2025).

Brains On! Presents Smash Boom Best Live
Saturday, October 3, 4:00 PM, Randolph Theatre
An interactive and uproarious family-friendly event. Smash Boom Best is a debate show for kids and families produced by Brains On! Universe. Host Molly Bloom will be joined by three of your favourite debaters for not one but TWO smash boom smackdowns – topics top secret until the day of the debate! Members of our audience will be the judges. The show takes two cool things, smashes them together and lets audiences decide which is best. Debaters use facts and passion to make their case – teaching listeners how to defend their own opinions along the way.

D.J. Demers
Saturday, October 3, 9:00 PM, Comedy Bar Bloor
As seen on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (three times), America’s Got Talent, Late Night with Conan O’Brien (three times) and his FIVE stand-up specials, D.J. Demers is a steady provider of laughs. His clever stand-up is both personal and universal and has earned him multiple appearances at Just For Laughs, a nomination for Best Comedy Album at the Junos, and a growing legion of fans around the world. D.J. was the star and creator of the beloved half-hour comedy series, One More Time. It was mistakenly canceled by CBC after just one season, but the good news is you can watch that entire season on YouTube. In 2015, he was awarded Best Breakout Artist at the Canadian Comedy Awards. He won the Homegrown Comics Competition at the 2014 Montréal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, won the 2013 Toronto Comedy Brawl, and was a 2011 finalist on NBC‘s Stand-Up for Diversity. All five of his stand-up albums have been played millions of times on all major streaming platforms.

ABOUT JUST FOR LAUGHS
Sylvain Parent Bédard founded his entertainment group in 1997 which went on to acquire the Just For Laughs assets in 2024. Today, the Group stands as a major Canadian Québécois cultural institution, internationally recognized for its mission: “Spreading laughter across the globe”. A global leader in comedy, Just For Laughs produces the world’s largest comedy festival, held in Montréal since its inaugural edition in 1983. The Group also extends its expertise through a series of festivals in Québec City, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore, Sydney, and Bermuda, strengthening its worldwide footprint.

Driven by passion, innovation, and excellence, the Just For Laughs team collaborates with top talent and partners across the entertainment industry. Each year, the Group entertains over 100 million fans through its digital platforms and media channels, which collectively have surpassed 100 billion views. Just For Laughs creates, produces, distributes, and broadcasts comedic content in all its forms: films, television series, theatre, musicals, solo shows, multi-artist shows, festivals.

The Group also produces ComedyPRO as part of the Just For Laughs Montreal Festival every year : the world’s leading comedy industry marketplace, which has for decades helped launch and propel the careers of numerous renowned artists through its landmark initiatives.

#FIRSTLOOK: CBC ANNOUNCE FALL 2026 PROGRAMMING SLATE

Tuesday, September 8: The Canadian Screen Award-winning original comedy series North of North returns for a highly anticipated second season; Son of a Critch goes back to high school one last time in its fifth and final season; and This Hour Has 22 Minutes returns with more political and social satire.

Wednesday, September 23: The Passionate Eye features powerful documentary Neil Peart: No One’s Disciple, exploring rock’s most enigmatic drummer through rare archival footage, intimate reflections and extraordinary live performances.

Saturday, September 26: CBC Kids original On Track with Andre De Grasse sees the Olympic champion travel back in time to give advice to his younger self in this live-action comedy series.

Friday, October 2: Rosa Marchitelli joins Asha Tomlinson as co-host for the new season of Canada’s consumer investigative program Marketplace.

Sunday, October 4 and Monday, October 5: Global fan favourites Heartland and Murdoch Mysteries return for their landmark 20th seasons.

Wednesday, October 7: The unbelievable saga of Kaitlyn Braun’s pregnancy deceptions is examined with empathy and unparalleled access in new original docuseries Doula: A True Crime.

Thursday, October 22: CBC TV and CBC Gem offer the exclusive Canadian premiere of prestige limited series Lord of the Flies, adapted by Emmy Award-winning writer Jack Thorne (Adolescence) from the classic dystopian novel by William Golding.

Sunday, November 1: Based on the globally successful format, The Assembly returns with an expanded cast of more than 30 neurodivergent and autistic adults interviewing celebrities.

Thursday, November 19: New original docuseries Diamonds & Plastic spotlights one of Tupperware’s top global sellers, Montreal’s Maria Meriano, and the fight to save a women-led empire amidst the threat of bankruptcy.

CBC today announced streaming and broadcast premiere dates for its fall 2026 slate of new and returning programming on CBC Gem and CBC TV, including more than 20 original series and specials from Canadian creators, producers, and storytellers reflecting people, places and perspectives from across the country. The first episode of all series will be available to stream on CBC Gem starting at 9 a.m. ET on their premiere dates noted below with a new episode available weekly at the same time, unless otherwise specified. CBC TV local broadcast times are noted in parentheses (for Newfoundland and Labrador, please add half an hour to all times).

Fall 2026 Series
Coronation Street – ongoing (weekdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.)
Family Feud Canada (64×30) Season 8 – Premieres Monday, October 5 (7:30 p.m.) airing four nights a week, Monday to Thursday.
This Hour Has 22 Minutes (24×30) Season 34 – Premieres Tuesday, September 8 (8 p.m.)
Son of a Critch (12×30) Final Season – Premieres Tuesday, September 8 (8:30 p.m.)
North of North (8×30) Season 2 – Premieres with two back-to-back new episodes, Tuesday September 8 (9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.)

The Passionate Eye (10×60 + 2×120) – Premieres Wednesday, September 16 (8 p.m., 9 p.m. beginning September 30). Feature documentary Everyone is Lying to You for Money opens a new season of thought-provoking documentaries. Actor and filmmaker Ben McKenzie pulls back the curtain on the cryptocurrency industry and the culture of hype, misinformation, and speculation that fuelled its explosive rise.

The season continues on September 23 with CBC original feature documentary Neil Peart: No One’s Disciple, exploring the artistry and enduring influence of Rush’s enigmatic drummer and lyricist through rare archival footage, intimate reflections and extraordinary live performances. An all-star lineup of acclaimed drummers joins Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson to tackle Peart’s notoriously demanding drum parts, revealing the musicianship behind one of rock’s most original artists. Directed by Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn and produced by Banger Films and Elevation Pictures. Republic Pictures has acquired the film outside of Canada.

Dragons’ Den (16×60) Season 21 – Premieres Thursday, September 17 (8 p.m.)
Heartland Season 20 (10×60) – Premieres Sunday, October 4 (7 p.m.)
The Great Canadian Baking Show Season 10 (9×60) – Premieres Sunday, October 4 (8 p.m.)
Murdoch Mysteries (21×60) Season 20 – Premieres Monday, October 5 (8 p.m.)

Doula: A True Crime (3×60) – Premieres Wednesday, October 7 (8 p.m.)
Over the course of nine months in 2022, Kaitlyn Braun—a 24-year-old woman from Brantford, Ontario—reached out to over 40 doulas with the same devastating story: she had been sexually assaulted and was in her third trimester, carrying a stillborn child. The doulas responded with unwavering empathy, stepping in without hesitation, many offering their services pro bono. Over time, the narrative began to fracture, and as the doulas began to question themselves and their experiences, they uncovered something far more complex. It’s a real-life saga that is hard to believe – one that launched a desperate search for answers, a campaign to get the attention of the authorities, a TikTok counter-offensive, 53 criminal charges, and a complex mental health diagnosis. With unparalleled access to all sides of the story, Doula: A True Crime elevates a sensationalist media story to an uncommon examination of empathy and the controversial question of its limitations.

Halifax Comedy Fest (6×30) Season 29 – Premieres Tuesday, October 13 (9:30 p.m.)

Lord of the Flies (4×60) – Premieres Thursday, October 22 (9 p.m.) Exclusive Canadian Premiere
In the first television adaptation of William Golding’s landmark dystopian classic Lord of the Flies, innocence descends into savagery when a group of English schoolboys become desert island castaways. Written by Emmy-winner Jack Thorne (Adolescence) and directed by Marc Munden (The Mark of Cain) for BBC.

The Assembly (6×30) Season 2 – Premieres Sunday, November 1 (9 p.m.)

Diamonds and Plastic (3×60) – Premieres Thursday, November 19 (9 p.m.)
Diamonds & Plastic plunges inside the secret sisterhood built by Montreal’s Maria Meriano, one of the top Tupperware product sellers in the world, as she fights to keep her women-led empire alive in the wake of the iconic brand’s most uncertain chapter in 80 years: its bankruptcy filing. As Tupperware’s nostalgic promise of female empowerment collides with the new reality of online shopping, social media selling, and a company fighting for its future, Maria must hold onto her people, her relevance, and her legacy. Can the extravagant leadership that made her a celebrity in this subculture keep an empire together when the brand at its centre enters uncertain territory?

CBC News
About That with Andrew Chang – Premieres Friday, September 11 at 8:30 p.m. on CBC TV (Available anytime on the CBC News YouTube channel)
Marketplace (16×30) Season 54 – Premieres Friday, October 2 (8 p.m.)
Former CBC News Go Public investigative reporter Rosa Marchitelli joins Asha Tomlinson as co-host of Canada’s award-winning consumer investigative series.

The Fifth Estate (17×60) Season 52 – Premieres Friday, October 9 (9 p.m.)
The National – ongoing (live at 10 p.m. weeknights and Sundays on CBC TV and CBC News Network)
CBC Morning Live with David Common (Weekday mornings on CBC News Network)
Power & Politics with David Cochrane (Weeknights on CBC News Network)
Hanomansing Live (Weeknights on CBC News Network)
Rosemary Barton Live (Sundays on CBC TV and CBC News Network)

CBC Kids Originals
Butterfly Academy (26×11) – Premieres Friday, August 28 on CBC Gem; Tuesday, September 8 on CBC TV
Butterfly Academy is in the heart of the milkweed patch where every mistake made by Patrick, Marty, Jennifer and Lily transforms their apprentices’ training into a funny and exciting adventure!

On Track with Andre De Grasse (10×5) – Premieres Saturday, September 26 on CBC TV and CBC Gem
In this live-action comedy series for kids, Olympic Champion Andre De Grasse travels back in time to give advice to his 10-year-old self. The sprint star must keep his younger version on track. But Young Andre’s got other ideas, and they don’t necessarily include accepting life coaching from his future self. Hugo Assad makes a delightful comic turn as the scrappy Young Andre, and De Grasse proves he’s got acting chops and charm to spare, ditching his racing gear for a metallic time travel suit. A fun buddy show in short-format, teaching life lessons through sport.

Super Why’s Comic Book Adventures (39×22) – Premieres Wednesday, October 14 on CBC TV and CBC Gem
Super Why’s Comic Book Adventures is a seven-minute show that follows the adventures of Power Paige, the newest member of the Super Readers, who joins Super Why, Wonder Red, Princess Presto, and Alpha Pig, as they protect the comic book world of Reader Valley, a universe where letters, words, and sounds have enormous power, from a group of literacy villains and other strange anomalies with the help of the home viewer – Super YOU! Set in a visually fantastic 2D comic book world, these heroic adventures expand preschool and kindergarten literacy skills through high-stakes, action-packed, fast-paced, comic book-inspired stories.

#TIFF: SHORT CUTS PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED FOR 2026 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, is announcing its 2026 Short Cuts programme. This year’s selection includes 45 short films from 30 countries across seven curated programmes, spanning live-action narrative, documentary, animation, and hybrid filmmaking.

Entering its third year, Strange Cuts — the Midnight Madness–adjacent wild child of the Short Cuts programme — embraces genre- and mind-benders from bizarre animation and eccentric comedies to culturally distinct horror and downright disturbing dramatic work. Highlights include MAMMALIA from Elia Kalogianni, a visually stunning study of pathological depravity, and Quebec-based Daniel «Tètèl» Chérubin’s mood-driven horror Koden’n, rooted in inherited spiritual traditions.

Among this year’s World Premieres are Camille Summers-Valli’s meticulously composed character study starring Julianne Nicholson and Charles Melton, Untitled Woman; Fala Chen’s spine-chilling Bloodline, produced by Colin Farrell; Michael Del Monte’s astute and emotionally layered Fight Kid, executive produced by Derek Cianfrance; and Academy Award–nominated director Shaunak Sen’s quiet, evocative drama starring Faisal Malik and Vipin Sharma, Termite.

Additional standouts include The Spectacular Death of Prisca, a love letter to Nollywood from TIFF Filmmaker Labs 2025 alum Kaelo Iyizoba; and Ophelia Harutyunyan’s first TIFF appearance with the unforgettable sibling drama Fried Chicken & Strip Checkers.

With TIFF’s Best Animated Short Film Award in its second year, the programme features eight animated shorts, including Niki Lindroth von Bahr’s latest stop-motion animated comedy, The End, executive produced by and starring Noomi Rapace, with a starry cast led by Denis Lavant and Alexander Skarsgård. Stellan Skarsgård stars in the Annecy award-winning stop motion Please from Anna Mantzaris. Another highlight in the animation lineup is the World Premiere of The Day I Smoked a Cigarette with my Father, co-directed by Sameh Alaa (2020 Cannes Short Film Palme d’Or winner) and Robin Vouters.

Canadian films make up 20 of Short Cuts’ 45 selections, reflecting the breadth of Canadian filmmaking across the Festival’s programming. Films are rooted both in local communities and in stories tracing filmmakers’ roots across borders. One of Canada’s most prominent voices in documentary cinema, Yung Chang (This is Not a Movie, TIFF ’19) makes his fiction debut with the World Premiere of The Highway. Canadian wit is also on full display, with standout comedies from homegrown filmmakers including Cannes Critics’ Week award-winner Skinny Bottines from Romain F. Dubois; rom-com The Lion Does Not Concern Himself from Zarrar Kahn (In Flames, TIFF ’23, Pakistan’s entry to the Oscars); Logan Graham Greene’s boisterous and sharply scripted The Episode; Christian Smith’s dark comedy Fivehead, anchored by Maddy Foley’s singular writing and performance; and Shamier Anderson’s directorial debut, the mockumentary Call Me Tim.

Featuring both emerging and established talent, Short Cuts has introduced TIFF audiences to some of the world’s most acclaimed filmmakers, including recent breakout talents Charlotte Wells, Luis De Filippis, Matthew Rankin, Fawzia Mirza, Nora El Hourch, and Sophy Romvari, whose feature-length film debut Blue Heron won TIFF’s Best Canadian Discovery Award last year.

Films in the Short Cuts programme are eligible for three jury-selected Short Cuts Awards: Best International Short Film, Best Canadian Short Film, and Best Animated Short Film. These awards provide each winner with a bursary of $10,000 CAD. This year’s jury: Joecar Hanna, Chris Lavis, and Iris Ng.

Short Cuts is programmed by Sonja Baksa and Mariam Zaidi.

2026 TIFF Short Cuts programme

Short Cuts Programme 01

Skinny Bottines | Romain F. Dubois | Canada

North American Premiere

Untitled Woman | Camille Summers-Valli | United Kingdom, USA
World Premiere

When the Ground Paused | Jess Barclay Lawton | Australia
International Premiere

The End | Niki Lindroth von Bahr | Sweden, France, Denmark
North American Premiere

The Highway | Yung Chang | Canada, China
World Premiere

Fried Chicken & Strip Checkers | Ophelia Harutyunyan | Armenia, France
World Premiere

Short Cuts Programme 02

Leftover Women | Atalanta Swire | United Kingdom
World Premiere

The Comet | Julie Charette | Canada
North American Premiere

Forgotten Spaceman | Elham Ehsas | Afghanistan, United Kingdom
North American Premiere

Between Late April and Early May | Sophia Smith | Canada
World Premiere

Termite | Shaunak Sen | India
World Premiere

The Lion Does Not Concern Himself | Zarrar Kahn | Canada
World Premiere

Short Cuts Programme 03

A Tenderness | Sabrine Khoury | Netherlands, Palestine
World Premiere

Dough Man | Brittney Gavin, Amy Mielke | Canada
World Premiere

Fight Kid | Michael Del Monte | Canada
World Premiere

Terminal | Alexandre Siqueira | Portugal, Spain, France
World Premiere

Under the Same Clouds | Jérémi Roy | Canada
World Premiere

Patronymic | Mariia Ponomarova | Netherlands, Ukraine
World Premiere

The Episode | Logan Graham Greene | Canada
World Premiere

Short Cuts Programme 04

El Aumento | Maria Belen Poncio | Argentina, USA
World Premiere

BID16 | Mick Robertson, Margaret Rose | Canada
World Premiere

Beans and Belief | Tenzin Sedon | USA, Canada, China
World Premiere

Yek Rooz-e Shirin | Omid Abdollahi | Iran
North American Premiere

(Haboolm Ksinaalgat) Soul Catcher | Amanda Strong, Pamela Post | Canada
World Premiere

Fivehead | Christian Smith | Canada
World Premiere

Short Cuts Programme 05

Bloodline | Fala Chen | USA
World Premiere

Driftwood | A.C. Birch | Canada
World Premiere

Till The Milk Runs Dry | Kalainithan Kalaichelvan | Canada
World Premiere

Almost Pink | Justine Prince | Canada
World Premiere

2:Love | Ronni Shalev | Belgium, France, Israel
World Premiere

Buddies | Fraser Wolfe | Canada
World Premiere

The Spectacular Death of Prisca | Kaelo Iyizoba | Nigeria
World Premiere

Short Cuts Programme 06

Aman | Rahul Roye | India, United Kingdom, USA, France

World Premiere

The Day I Smoked a Cigarette with my Father | Sameh Alaa, Robin Vouters | France, Egypt, Belgium
World Premiere

Call Me Tim | Shamier Anderson | Canada
World Premiere

Pacific Spirit | Antoine Bourges | Canada
World Premiere

Imichki | Yza Nouiga | Canada
World Premiere

Please | Anna Mantzaris | Sweden, France, Czech Republic, Norway, Finland
North American Premiere

Moongirl | Victor Boccard | Japan
World Premiere

Strange Cuts

Melk | Filip Anthonissen | Belgium
North American Premiere

Koden’n | Daniel «Tètèl» Chérubin | Canada
World Premiere

MAMMALIA | Elia Kalogianni | Greece, Netherlands
World Premiere

Into The Betaverse | Varun Raman, Tom Hancock | United Kingdom
World Premiere

Madrugada | Sebastián Lojo | Guatemala
North American Premiere

The Dream Is A Snail | Thien An Nguyen | Vietnam, South Korea
North American Premiere

2026 Short Cuts Jury

Joecar Hanna

Joecar Hanna is a Chinese-Lebanese filmmaker from Spain. His shorts have premiered at TIFF, Cannes, SXSW, and numerous other prestigious festivals. Talk Me, executive produced by Spike Lee, won Best International Short Film at TIFF 2025 and Best Short at Málaga 2026. He also starred in Alexandre Rockwell’s Lump. Hanna is an NYU Graduate Film alumnus, Ang Lee Scholar, Sony Pictures Classics Marcie Bloom Fellow, and resident of the 51st session of the Cannes Residency (2026). His debut feature, Deliver Me, begins production in fall 2026.

Chris Lavis

Chris Lavis is an Academy Award–winning director. His first film with longtime collaborator Maciek Szczerbowski, Madame Tutli-Putli (TIFF ’07), was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Short. The duo went on to adapt Maurice Sendak’s Higglety Pigglety Pop! starring Meryl Streep. They were nominated for Best Art Direction at the Canadian Screen Awards for Guy Maddin’s The Forbidden Room (TIFF ’15). In 2019, they created Gymnasia, which won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Immersive Experience. Lavis and Szczerbowski’s latest film, The Girl Who Cried Pearls, won Best Canadian Short Film at TIFF 2025 and the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 2026.

Iris Ng

Iris Ng is an award-winning cinematographer known for work that focuses on human rights, marginalized narratives, and auteur perspectives. Her close collaborations with directors on critically acclaimed documentaries, scripted films, TV, digital series, and films for contemporary artists include the Oscar-shortlisted films Stories We Tell (dir. Sarah Polley, TIFF ’12) and Shirkers (dir. Sandi Tan, 2018), and more recently Twice Colonized (dir. Lin Alluna, 2023) and The Last of the Sea Women (dir. Sue Kim, TIFF ’24).

The 51st edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, runs September 10–20, 2026.