The Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, is announcing its 2026 TIFF Docs lineup featuring 21 titles from 20 countries and 18 World Premieres. From archival portraits to dispatches from global front lines, this year’s Official Selection celebrates the art of non-fiction storytelling and its unique power to illuminate untold stories, challenge perspectives, and spark conversation. This year’s lineup includes new work by celebrated directors such as Mila Aung-Thwin, Barry Avrich, Maiken Baird, Lacey Schwartz Delgado, Sophie Fiennes, Alex Gibney, Barbara Kopple, and Sine Plambech, along with several emerging directors with breakthrough works.

The programme will open with Rapinoe, a deeply personal profile of the US soccer star Megan Rapinoe, by Rebeca Huntt (Beba, TIFF ’21). High-profile World Premieres coming to TIFF as sales titles include: Edward Said: Between Worlds, tracing the life of the renowned Palestinian-American writer; Re/Pair, exploring the connections and tensions between American Black and Jewish communities; Bleeding Hearts, portraying the love story of Zella Day and Jesse Woods from the alt-country band Chaparelle; Low Lies the Land, following three winemaking families in Northern Italy; Cheyenne, capturing the world of cowgirls in a bucking horse competition; Rescue, depicting an extraordinary tale of a migrant trying to find his kidnapped wife and children; Black Sunflowers, covering the lives of young Ukrainians against the backdrop of war; The Ultra Runner, examining the extreme ultramarathon runner Tiberiu Uşeriu; and Darlene Love: I Know Where I’ve Been, profiling the acclaimed soul singer.

More than two-thirds of the programme’s films are directed by women, connecting the legacy of visionaries like Barbara Kopple, whose influential Harlan County, U.S.A. screened at the first TIFF in 1976, with a new generation of rising voices. She returns to the Festival this year with Union Town, following three labour battles in New York City. TIFF Docs is programmed by Thom Powers.

2026 TIFF Docs programme (in alphabetical order):

Ba’s Book | Ashley Duong | Canada

World Premiere

Black Sunflowers | James Marcus Haney | Ukraine, USA

World Premiere

Bleeding Hearts | Andrew Morgan | USA

World Premiere

Cheyenne | Taimi Arvidson | USA

World Premiere

Darlene Love: I Know Where I’ve Been | Barry Avrich | Canada

World Premiere

Edward Said: Between Worlds | Maiken Baird | USA

World Premiere

Gail | Michael Maxxis | Canada

World Premiere

Like Magic | Melissa Saavedra Gil | Colombia, Argentina, Uruguay

World Premiere

Low Lies The Land | Emanuele Gerosa | Denmark, Italy

World Premiere

Musk | Alex Gibney | USA

North American Premiere

Rapinoe | Rebeca Huntt | United Kingdom, USA

World Premiere

Re/Pair | Lacey Schwartz Delgado | USA

World Premiere

Rescue | Sine Plambech | Denmark, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Iceland

World Premiere

Still Night, Burning House | Carol Nguyen | Canada

World Premiere

Tehran, Under the Skin | Afsaneh Salari | France, Iran, Sweden

World Premiere

The Final Act | Sophie Deraspe | Canada

World Premiere

The Hummingbird Paints Fragrant Songs | Èlia Gasull Balada, Matteo Norzi | Peru, USA, Qatar

World Premiere

The Pervert’s Guide to Utopias | Sophie Fiennes | Ireland, United Kingdom, Slovenia, Netherlands, Norway

North American Premiere

The Ultra Runner | Mila Aung-Thwin | Canada

World Premiere

Turtle Island Rap | Alexandra Lazarowich | Canada

World Premiere

Union Town | Barbara Kopple | USA

North American Premiere

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

Travel often comes with empty pockets of time. Airport delays, quiet hotel evenings and long train journeys can leave travellers looking for simple entertainment. Online casino games fit neatly into these gaps because they work on devices people already carry. Recent participation data also shows that online gambling has become a familiar leisure activity, making it a practical entertainment option for adults who want flexibility while away from home.

Playing While Travelling in South Africa

People searching for online casino south africa options should focus on platforms that clearly explain their operating status, payment methods and account rules. Access to gambling services depends on local law, so travellers should check the regulations that apply in their current location.

Payment support deserves attention as well. A card or digital wallet that works at home may face extra checks abroad. Currency conversion can also affect the final amount charged. Reviewing payment terms before depositing helps prevent confusion during the trip.

A reliable platform should also provide clear information about withdrawals. Travellers may change countries before a payment is completed, which can affect verification. Completing identity checks before departure can make the process smoother.

The same preparation applies to sports betting online. Event markets, account features and payment options may differ by region. Checking these details early is far easier than solving an account issue from an airport.

One Account for Different Travel Moments

Online casino platforms can offer several forms of entertainment through one account. The same traveller may play slots during a quiet evening and use sports betting online when a major football or tennis event is taking place. This variety helps the activity fit different schedules.

The main advantage is convenience. Travellers do not need to find a physical gaming venue or adjust their plans around opening hours. A short session can take place from a hotel room, airport lounge or rented apartment. Stable internet access and a charged device are usually enough.

The setting also changes how people play. Someone visiting Cape Town may choose a locally available platform after a day of sightseeing. A traveller in New York might open a slot game while getting ready for an evening event. The entertainment remains familiar even when the location changes.

Why Online Slots Work Well During Trips

Slots are particularly suitable for travel because they require little preparation. Many games have clear controls and short rounds. This allows players to stop when boarding begins, dinner arrives or another part of the trip demands attention.

Common travel-friendly features include:

• Mobile layouts that work on smaller screens
• Demo modes for exploring games without placing wagers
• Adjustable stake levels for shorter sessions
• Search filters for themes, formats and game providers
• Account tools that show deposits and playing history

These features matter because travel schedules can change quickly. A game that works well during a two-hour hotel break may also suit a ten-minute wait for transport. Players can choose the length of the session instead of building the day around it.

From Johannesburg to the Met Gala

The appeal of online games is their ability to move between very different travel experiences. A business traveller in Johannesburg may use a slot game to unwind after meetings. A visitor in New York for the Met Gala may play briefly before heading to the red carpet area or joining an evening event.

Online gaming works best when it fills spare time rather than replacing the destination. Travel remains the main experience. Casino games serve as an optional activity during the quieter parts of the schedule.

A few practical habits can improve the experience:

• Download official apps before leaving home
• Use private and trusted internet connections
• Set a clear entertainment budget
• Check local access rules after crossing borders
• Keep gaming sessions separate from planned activities

This approach keeps the hobby organised. It also reduces the chance of technical problems disrupting the trip.

Online Play Is Already a Mainstream Choice

Official data gives useful context. The UK Gambling Commission reported that 38% of adults surveyed between April and July 2025 had participated in online gambling during the previous four weeks. Lottery activity formed a large part of that figure, but the result still shows how normal digital access has become. Online gaming has clearly packed its passport, even when the player has not.

That level of participation also explains why platforms invest heavily in mobile performance. Travellers expect pages to load quickly and games to fit different screen sizes. They also expect account information to remain accessible when switching between devices.

Choosing Games That Match the Journey

Different trips suit different games. Fast slots fit short breaks, while table games may suit longer hotel stays. Sports betting online can also be a good option when travelling during a major sporting event. Whatever the choice, it helps to stay within personal limits, check the game rules and return-to-player information, and choose games that are easy to play on a mobile device. Online casino games offer flexible entertainment for adults travelling through South Africa, visiting New York for the Met Gala, or taking a business trip. When enjoyed in moderation, they make waiting times more enjoyable while leaving plenty of time to experience the destination itself.

VIOLENT NIGHT 2 IS IN THEATRES DECEMBER 4, 2026. Today, we get a new Trailer.

If you’re nice, you get presents from the Big Guy. If you’re naughty, you get justice.

David Harbour reprises his role as Santa Claus in a propulsive new chapter in yuletide mayhem from 87North—the powerhouse producers of Bullet Train, John Wick, The Fall Guy, Atomic Blonde and the Nobody franchise—and returning action director Tommy Wirkola.

In 2022’s bare-knuckle holiday sensation, Violent Night, an embittered Santa, armed with lethal combat skills, took out a team of mercenaries to rescue a girl and her family. Now, not-so-jolly Saint Nick suits up again to take on a ruthless gangster (Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Jared Harris) terrorizing the merchants of the Silver Bell Mall.

But when Santa forgets the true meaning of Christmas, he finds himself in the heart of a lively mall community in desperate need of his help. Sapped of his magic, he’ll need another way to take on the goons threatening the mall, and time is running out. Santa has to rediscover his faith in goodness and call in some last-minute reinforcements from the one person no baddie wants to tangle with: Mrs. Claus (Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Kristen Bell).

Along with David Harbour, Jared Harris and Kristen Bell, the dynamic cast includes Emmy winning screen legend Joe Pantoliano (The Last of Us, The Sopranos), Daniela Melchior (Fast X, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3), Andrew Bachelor (Greenland, The Walking Dead), and AEW professional wrestler Maxwell Friedman (The Iron Claw, Happy Gilmore 2).

Violent Night 2 is directed by returning filmmaker Tommy Wirkola and produced again by 87North founders Kelly McCormick and David Leitch. The film’s returning screenwriters are Pat Casey and Josh Miller. Violent Night 2 will be released by Universal Pictures.

Genre: Action Comedy

Cast: David Harbour, Kristen Bell, Jared Harris, Joe Pantoliano, Maxwell Friedman, Daniela Melchior, Andrew Bachelor

Directed by: Tommy Wirkola

Screenplay by: Pat Casey and Josh Miller

Producers: Kelly McCormick, David Leitch

Canadian pop and R&B artist XAV begins his next artistic chapter today with the release of his new single, “DOWNTOWN,” available across all streaming platforms. A hook-driven blend of melodic R&B, pop, and hip-hop, the track pairs atmospheric production with introspective songwriting to deliver a polished, contemporary sound. Drawing inspiration from Drake, The Kid LAROI, and Don Toliver while carving out a lane of his own, Xav emerges with a distinct identity and a clear vision for his future, positioning himself to become one of pop’s next breakout artists. Listen to “DOWNTOWN” here.

The release of “DOWNTOWN” coincides with the announcement that 907 Records has entered into an exclusive worldwide distribution agreement with ADA Canada, the global independent music distribution and artist services division of Warner Music Canada. The partnership will leverage ADA Canada’s extensive global infrastructure and artist services team to support XAV’s ambitious international rollout and rapidly growing artist brand.

Of “DOWNTOWN” XAV says:

“‘Way you working on my hearts got me feeling like I’m buzzing on tequila no chase’

That line is about falling for someone so deeply that they become your addiction. Instead of being buzzed from tequila, you’re buzzing from the way they make your heart feel. I wanted to capture that mix of excitement, nerves, and being completely consumed by one person. I hope listeners hear it and think of someone who’s made them feel that way.”

XAV’s music career launch arrives amidst widespread media attention. He has recently been featured and interviewed in major fashion and culture publications including GQ, People, Vulture, and Complex, highlighting both his distinct personal style and expanding crossover appeal. He was recently selected by iHeartRadio Canada to their Future Star program. In addition to his digital momentum, XAV recently brought his live show to the Canadian Elite Basketball League stage, headlining the home opener for the Ottawa BlackJacks.

With the backing of 907 Records and the global network of ADA Canada, “DOWNTOWN” signals the first of a series of upcoming releases designed to establish XAV as one of Canada’s next breakout international exports.

About XAV:

Xav is emerging as one of Canada’s most exciting new voices in modern pop and R&B, pairing undeniable star power with a clear vision for global success. His music blends infectious melodies, emotional storytelling, and contemporary production, creating songs that resonate far beyond borders. As his social audience continues to grow at an exceptional pace, Xav is quickly establishing himself as an artist with both cultural relevance and commercial potential.

About ADA Canada:

ADA is a global service organization committed to independent artist and label development. As part of Warner Music Group and Warner Music Canada, ADA offers the independent community access to an unparalleled global distribution system alongside a dedicated team providing commercial, marketing, analytics, and music licensing support.

We get a new Trailer today for tiff ’26 selection BAD LIEUTENANT: TOKYO, the latest in the neo-noir Crime Drama franchise. Coming soon.

Directed by: Takashi Miike

Starring: Shun Oguri, Lily James, Shotaro Mamiya, Liv Morgan, Jun Kunimura, Hiroshi Tachi

A disgraced Tokyo detective spirals into a world of corruption, addiction, and violence as he becomes entangled in a twisted investigation involving a vengeful ex-yakuza, an enigmatic FBI agent, and a missing daughter of a powerful American family.

Paramount+ today announced that it has greenlit a new thriller titled Ascent, starring Emmy®, Grammy®, Oscar® and Tony® Award-winning actress, Viola Davis and created by Tony Award winner and three-time Oscar nominee John Logan (Skyfall, Gladiator, Michael, Penny Dreadful). Logan will serve as showrunner and executive producer alongside executive producers Michael Aguilar (Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, Kidding, The Departed), and Davis and Julius Tennon for JuVee Productions.

Produced by Paramount Television Studios, Ascent is slated to begin production in Los Angeles in 2027.

Ascent is a character-driven thriller set in the dangerous world of global corporate crisis and damage control. Davis will play elite corporate fixer Catriona Vail, who must weaponize the ruthless skills that have made her indispensable to billion-dollar clients when her estranged daughter is in danger.

Viola Davis said: “I am overwhelmingly excited about this journey with the great John Logan. We won the lottery with this one! Work in which both story and character are bold, awe inspiring and deeply unique is why I became an artist. We at JuVee are deeply grateful to John Logan, Michael Aquilar, and Paramount. We are ready to create magic!”

“Viola Davis doesn’t just take on roles; she transforms them. Catriona Vail is an incredibly complex character and Viola is exactly the generational talent to bring her to life,” said Jane Wiseman, Head of Originals for Paramount+. “With John Logan and Michael Aguilar behind the camera, Ascent is high-stakes television at its best.”

“We are honored to support the vision of our exceptional creative partners: John Logan, Michael Aguilar, and Viola Davis,” said Matt Thunell, President Paramount Television Studios. “We celebrate bold, original ideas, and the icing on the cake is being able to shoot Ascent here at home on the Paramount Lot in Los Angeles.”

The series will premiere globally exclusively on Paramount+.

This announcement follows greenlights for additional new Paramount+ series including the Clueless sequel event series with Alicia Silverstone returning as Cher Horowitz, Laird starring Kenneth Branagh, and 9/12 starring Jeremy Strong, both from Paramount Television Studios, as well as Fear Not starring Anne Hathaway, and Discretion starring Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning. Paramount+ also recently renewed record-setting series Dutton Ranch and The Madison.

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.

MAISON 4:3 and Metafilms are pleased to announce that MARIE MADELEINE, written and directed by Géssica Généus (Freda), will have its North American premiere in the Centrepiece programme at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Celebrating global cinematic achievements, the programme invites audiences to immerse themselves in an eclectic selection of contemporary films. TIFF runs September 10-20.

In Jacmel, Haiti, the sea, the churches and the spirits shape life. Marie Madeleine is a free woman. She makes her living as a sex worker and moves through the night without submitting to the rules of those who save souls. Her path crosses that of Joseph, a young evangelist. A relationship develops between two people who could not be more different. As Joseph’s faith begins to waver, Marie Madeleine draws him into a world where desire and the quest for freedom open a space in which everything can be reinvented.

Following its world premiere at the 79th Festival de Cannes this past May, the film stars Généus alongside Béonard Monteau (Port-au-Prince, Dimanche 4 janvier), as well as first-time screen performers Edouard Baptiste and Mélissa Mildort. Généus’s second feature, MARIE MADELEINE, is a film in which the real brushes up against the surreal, as Généus brings colliding worlds together, if only briefly, to create moments of light.

MARIE MADELEINE is a co-production between Metafilms (Canada), SaNoSi Productions (France), Ayizan Productions (Haiti), Stenola Productions (Belgium) and Bidibul (Luxembourg), produced by Sylvain Corbeil, Jean-Marie Gigon, Gessica Généus, Anton Iffland Stettner, Lilian Eche and Christel Henon. International sales are handled by Pyramide Films.

MARIE MADELEINE is distributed in Canada by Maison 4:3 and will open in theatres this fall.

About Maison 4:3

Founded in 2014, Maison 4:3 is a boutique film distribution company that puts its expertise at the service of filmmakers and their work, developing launch strategies and supporting films through every stage of their release. Maison 4:3 champions deeply human projects that are both resonant and distinctive.

About Metafilms

Metafilms is a Montreal-based production company founded in 2003 to give emerging filmmakers with distinctive voices the means to express their vision of cinema and the world.

To date, Metafilms has produced 27 features, 30 short and medium-length films, and seven music videos. Its films have screened widely at prestigious international festivals including Cannes, Berlin, Locarno, Sundance, Toronto, San Sebastián, Rotterdam and Karlovy Vary, among others, and have earned honours including the Jury Prize at Cannes for Mommy; a Silver Bear at the Berlinale for Vic + Flo Saw a Bear; Best Canadian Feature Film at TIFF for Félix and Meira; the Jury’s Coup de Coeur at Cannes for A Brother’s Love; and the César Award for Best Foreign Film for The Nature of Love. Zaynê Akyol’s documentary Rojek (2022) represented Canada in the Best International Feature Film category at the 96th Academy Awards. The following year, Matthew Rankin’s Universal Language (2024) was Canada’s submission to the 97th Academy Awards and made the shortlist. In 2025, Peak Everything had its world premiere in the Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes and won the Grand Jury Prize at the Cabourg Film Festival.

Most recently, Metafilms has also launched an emerging creators initiative led by Rosalie Chicoine Perreault and Catherine Boily. Now more than ever, Metafilms continues to seek out and support distinctive filmmakers and films with respect and rigour.

VVS Films are thrilled to announce that the following film will make its World Premiere at TIFF 2026.

BACK IN BLACK
Director: Ron Murphy
Cast: Christopher Walken, Ella Ballentine, Jane Curtin

Back in Black is a dark comedy film starring Christopher Walken as Clyde, a struggling funeral director in a small town where a runaway wellness craze has made death obsolete.

Starring Pierre-Yves Cardinal, Bilel Chegrani, Karine Gonthier-Hyndman, Nahéma Ricci, Marc Messier, Benoît Gouin and Maxime Genois

Montréal, Tuesday, August 4, 2026 – Maison 4:3 and Cool Raoul are proud to announce that the feature film L’AUTRE, directed by Alexandre Franchi, will have its world premiere in the Centrepiece programme at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film stars Pierre-Yves Cardinal, Bilel Chegrani, Karine Gonthier-Hyndman, Nahéma Ricci, Benoît Gouin, Maxime Genois and the late Marc Messier.

Confined to a hospital bed and given a 50 per cent chance of surviving cancer, a man discovers that the patient in the next bed – a young man with a gunshot wound – has no intention of letting him die in peace. A darkly comic duel unfolds between the two men. L’autre is a grotesque and tender duel about mortality, identity, and what gives us the will to live. The film is inspired by a hospital stay that nearly claimed the director’s life.

Written by Alexandre Franchi and Simon Lavoie, L’AUTRE is produced by Ménaïc Raoul and Alexandre Franchi. The creative team includes director of photography Steve Asselin, production designer Paskale Jobin, editor Hubert Hayaud, costume designer Gabrielle Tougas-Fréchette, makeup artist Djina Caron, and hairstylist Mathieu Beauséjour. The original score is by Gabriel Scotti.

Distributed by Maison 4:3, L’AUTRE was produced with the financial participation of SODEC, Telefilm Canada, provincial and federal tax credits, and Post-Moderne. The film will open in theatres in fall 2026.

Madonna and Kylie have finally come together for what can only be described as the collaboration the world has been waiting for —and a dance fantasy come to life. After bringing fans Madonna’s Club Confessions (presented by MISTR) to WorldPride in Amsterdam over the weekend, the long-rumored collaboration was at last confirmed. Kylie joined Madonna on stage for a surprise performance, debuting “Love Sensation (Afterhours Mix) – Madonna & Kylie” before a packed crowd at the festival’s most sought-after event. Produced by Stuart Price, the highly anticipated track will be released worldwide via Warner Records on Friday, August 7, 2026.

The collaboration arrives on the heels of “Love Sensation” hitting No1 at Dance Radio on Friday, further fueling the momentum behind Madonna’s Confessions II, one of the most celebrated and critically acclaimed albums of the year. This follows “I Feel So Free,” the first taste of new music from the album- previously reaching No.1 on the same chart.

With No.1 dance hits spanning five consecutive decades and more Dance chart-toppers than any other artist in history, Madonna continues to not only dominate but redefine and shape the global dance culture she helped to create.