#FIRSTLOOK: GEORGE STROUMBOULOPOULOS “STORIES THAT MADE US” CONCLUDES TIFF ’25 OPENING NIGHT

MADE | NOUS ambassador George Stroumboulopoulos will conclude his cross-Canada journey at the TIFF Opening Night Gala, John Candy: I Like Me, on September 4, pulling up to the red carpet after a multi-province road trip documenting the Canadian screen stories that MADE us. The TIFF and MADE | NOUS partnership will celebrate Canada’s vibrant screen heritage in front of a global Festival audience.

MADE | NOUS’s ambitious “Stories That MADE Us” campaign launched on July 25 in Vancouver, journeying through cities and small towns in Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, PEI and Nunavut, among other provinces, before reaching the end of the road in Toronto. After traveling thousands of kilometres by car, boat and plane, and speaking to Canadians at every stop, George will arrive at TIFF’s Opening Night Gala carpet to debut an exclusive first look at the docuseries chronicling his journey. In the days following his arrival, George will continue engaging with festival-goers and Torontonians, offering them a unique opportunity to join the ongoing national conversation.

Québécois comedian and MADE | NOUS ambassador Rosalie Vaillancourt also embarked on a tour across Quebec and the Maritimes, shining a light on French-language Canadian screen stories that reflect and shape francophone culture. Her journey will be featured alongside George’s in the upcoming docuseries.

Created in partnership by the Canada Media Fund, which marks its 15th anniversary this year, and Telefilm Canada, the MADE | NOUS initiative has been spotlighting Canada’s world-class talent in film, television, gaming, and digital entertainment since 2019. Its mission is to redefine how Canadian content is perceived both at home and around the world.