#TIFF26: “HOPE” REVIEW

By Nicholas Porteous

In Na Hong-jin’s Hope, something monstrous has laid waste to a South Korean village, and various groups of police and concerned citizens descend on the aftermath to find the source of the rampant destruction. Before long, they’re confronted by a creature that throws cars like pebbles, running through houses that might as well be air. I won’t say too much more about the creature because Hope’s first (and best) hour is built around maintaining some of that specific mystery–but it’s big and bad!

Hope’s camerawork has relentless sweep, infusing every action sequence with a phenomenal, dangerous urgency. It’s glorious to behold–until you see the cgi. For a movie with such sharp real-world visuals and production design, it’s so unfortunate that the post-effects must be actively forgiven to engage with what’s happening. They feel more like pre-visualizations than final renders–an early PS4 game shoved into the middle of a top-notch fantasy movie world. And the physical versions of these otherworldly entities easily outclass their digital counterparts.

Graphics aside, Hope is full of memorable setpieces and characters. It’s so refreshing to see a movie like this allow its leads to be cowardly and disorganized. No one would be cool in this situation! As the movie carries on, Hope falls into some tropey traps. Fatal-seeming injuries are consistently shrugged off, and despite its undeniable bloat at just over 2.5 hours, the movie is resolute about not being a standalone experience with a satisfying conclusion. Nevertheless, it’s a flawed ride worth taking. Catch the special TIFF-eve screening if you can, but note that it’ll be in theatres on the same day.

Hope screens at TIFF ’26:

Wed. Sept 9 at 6:30 PM at TIFF Lightbox

#TIFF26: EXPECTED TALENT COMING TO 2026 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Expected talent coming to TIFF ’26
Guests include Javier Bardem, Kenneth Branagh, Penélope Cruz, Cynthia Erivo, Chrissie Hynde, Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee, Helen Mirren, Seth Rogen, Léa Seydoux, Channing Tatum, and Michelle Yeoh

Plus: Hiam Abbass, Mahershala Ali, Gael García Bernal, Fan Bingbing, Jesse Eisenberg, Ayo Edebiri, Chase Infiniti, Louis Garrel, Tom Hiddleston, Daniel Kaluuya, John Malkovich, Amber Midthunder, Julianne Moore, Megan Rapinoe, Issa Rae, Chris Rock, Andrew Scott, Sebastian Stan, Sir Gary Oldman, Naomi Watts, Forest Whitaker, Rebel Wilson, and many more

Expected talent

(Approximately 800 guests — subject to change)

Hiam Abbass

Rahana Abdallah

Omid Abdollahi

Evan Adams

Odunlade Adekola

Bimbo Ademoye

Pegah Ahangarani

Stephanie Ahn

Mercy Aigbe

Ezekiel Ajeigbe

Khalil Al-Muzayyen

Muayad Alayan

Paulina Alexis

Mahershala Ali

India Amarteifio

Javier Ambrossi

Elena Anaya

Shamier Anderson

Kamila Andini

Justin Daniels Anene

Parastoo Anoushahpour

Filip Anthonissen

Nico Antonio

Iris Apatow

Juan Andrés Arango

Beth de Araújo

Mathilde Arcel

Adam Arkin

Patricia Arquette

Julianne Arrieta

Taimi Arvidson

Asta Kamma August

Mila Aung-Thwin

Nizhonniya Austin

Jamal Averett

Barry Avrich

Evliya Aykan

Rael Ba

Clark Backo

Louise Bagnall

Niki Lindroth von Bahr

Zaiba Baig

Marion Bailey

Alice Bailey Johnson

Chloe Bailey

Maiken Baird

Èlia Gasull Balada

Caitríona Balfe

Ella Ballentine

Antonio Banderas

Matt Barats

Rein Barcel

Javier Bardem

Curry Barker

Rodrigo Barriuso

Kim Bartley

Jay Baruchel

Kamel El Basha

Jenna Cato Bass

Gabriel Basso

Ian Bawa

David Beaudoin

Jon Beavers

Beau Beau Bedford

Gil Bellows

Yuula Benivolski

Scarlett Bermingham

Miguel Bernardeau

Frank Berry

David Bezmozgis

Esteban Bigliardi

Anna Biller

Fan Bingbing

A.C. Birch

Eva Birthistle

Yaniv Biton

Dashawn Blackwood

Orlando Bloom

Christine Boateng

Victor Boccard

Andrew Boe

Justin Vivian Bond

Rosalie Bonenfant

Devon Bostick

Antoine Bourges

Danny Boyle

Sarp Bozkurt

Ruth Bradley

Smylie Bradwell

Sebastian Brameshuber

Kenneth Branagh

Tamara Braun

Will Brill

Christopher Briney

Stéphane Brizé

Lewis Brophy

Samara Nangala Fernandez Brown

Adrian Buitenhuis

McCaleb Burnett

Steve Buscemi

Niki Byrne

Javier Calvo

Valentin Campagne

Linda Cardellini

Jordan Carlos

Jozef Sebastian Coxaj Carrera

Alfredo Castro

William Catlett

Girleza Duave Cerezo

Hajara Musah Chambas

Martin Chambers

Gemma Chan

Peter Ho-Sun Chan

Yung Chang

Lee Chang-dong

Julie Charette

Bilel Chegrani

Fala Chen

Xuan Chen

Anthony Chen

Zach Cherry

Daniel (Tètèl) Chérubin

Julien Chheng

Jamie Childs

Jimmy Chin

John Cho

Moon Choi

Danaya Chulphuthiphong

Chris Chung

Taeon Chung

Suet Ying Chung

Marie Clements

Charly Clive

Joe Cobden

Noa Cohen

Roberta Colindrez

Jodie Comer

Olivia Cooke

Jennifer Coolidge

Carrie Coon

Anton Corbijn

Nick Corirossi

Larissa Corriveau

Denis Côté

Daniela Couso

Duncan Coutts

Courteney Cox

Joss Crowley

Marie-Josée Croze

Penélope Cruz

Ruby Cruz

Gregory Cruz

Raven Schwam Curtis

Omowunmi Dada

Willem Dafoe

Aakash Dahiya

Darren Dale

Tenzin Dalha

Yoon Dan-bi

Anh Kim Dao

Ines Daien Dasi

Mackenzie Davis

Zella Day

Enchong Dee

Samuel Delgado

Lacey Schwartz Delgado

Madeline Delp

Milan Deng

Lily-Rose Depp

Sophie Deraspe

Isabel DeRoy-Olson

Zooey Deschanel

Raj Dhesi

Lukas Dhont

Anna Díaz

Milcania Diaz-Rojas

Dane DiLiegro

Alex Dillard

Jeon Do-yeon

Monica Dolan

Bae Doona

Dave Doroghy

Michael Dowse

Romain F. Dubois

Justin Ducharme

Sam Dunn

Anh Duong

Ashley Duong

Daniel Durant

Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo

Nguyen Hoang Duy

Reed Van Dyk

Ayo Edebiri

Francis Edemobi

Aimee-Ffion Edwards

Virginie Efira

Taron Egerton

Ryan Eggold

Alden Ehrenreich

Elham Ehsas

Fernando Eimbcke

Jesse Eisenberg

May el-Toukhy

Rosalind Eleazar

Abby Elliott

Michał Englert

Mireille Enos

Kim Eo-jin

Cynthia Erivo

Chuko Esiri

Arie Esiri

Giancarlo Esposito

Luke Evans

Thibaut Evrard

Lawrence Fajardo

Rejane Faria

Rafiki Fariala

Gary Farmer

Peter Farrelly

Ina Feleo

Cody Fern

Rita Ferrando

Amalie Næsby Fick

Sophie Fiennes

Rio Finnegan

Jordan Firstman

Ray Fisher

Marc Fitoussi

Sara Flores

Mike Flanagan

Johnny Flynn

Anna Foglietta

Megan Follows

Alexandre Franchi

Ezra Franky

Lily Franky

Fra Fee

Martin Freeman

Kristine Froseth

Edoardo Gabbriellini

Kavya Ganesh

Gael García Bernal

Raúl García

Louis Garrel

Shawn Garry

Andte Gaup-Juuso

Brittney Gavin

Taio Gélinas

John Gemberling

Géssica Généus

Emanuele Gerosa

Paul Giamatti

Alex Gibney

Beatrice Gibson

Melissa Saavedra Gil

Daniel Gimpel

Omar E. Ospina Giraldo

Mariana Di Girólamo

Helena Girón

Joshua Giuliano

Ghasideh Golmakani

Marcelo Gomes

Carlos González

Rémi Goulet

Topher Grace

Logan Graham Greene

Loren Gray

Deanté Gray

David Greaves

Joshua Griffin

Valeska Grisebach

Deborah Grover

Ligia Guallpa

Sanjay Kumar Gupta

Jella Haase

Park Hae-il

Yoo Hai-jin

Andrew Haigh

Eden Hamilton

Jon Hamm

Ervin Han

Tom Hancock

James Marcus Haney

Rick Hansen

Amanda Hansen

Arthur Harari

David Harbour

Éanna Hardwicke

Liam Harkins

Mahamat-Saleh Haroun

William Jackson Harper

Josh Hartnett

Russell Harvard

Grant Harvey

Mohammad Ali Hashmi

Jonah Hauer-King

Caleb Hearon

Charlie Heaton

Fred Hechinger

Siân Heder

Ed Helms

Douglas Henshall

Taraji P. Henson

Jessica Henwick

Ione Hernández

Jaap van Heusden

Rodney Hicks

Tom Hiddleston

Tim “2oolman” Hill

Nico Hiraga

Boyd Holbrook

Joss Holden-Rea

Jan Holoubek

Mike Holt

Davika Hoorne

Casey Camp Horinek

Rubaiyat Hossain

Summer H. Howell

Lu Huang

A$h Da Hunter

Rebeca Huntt

Isabelle Huppert

Bae Hyeon-seong

Chrissie Hynde

Karine Gonthier Hyndman

Kim Hyun-joo

Jack Iannanen

Rhys Ifans

Sam Buckner III

Michael Imperioli

Zo In-sung

Chase Infiniti

Daniel Ings

Nyla Innuksuk

Tecla Insolia

Anthony Ippolito

Jason Isaacs

Kaelo Iyizoba

Knyght Darius Jack

Ashley Jackson

Abbi Jacobson

Lennart Jähkel

Lily James

Stephan James

Harlow Jane

Matthew Jeffers

Paul Jesson

Hur Jin-ho

Zou Jing

Duncan Jones

Kelvin Harrison Jr.

Zarrar Kahn

Isaiah Kakepetum

Kalainithan Kalaichelvan

Elia Kalogianni

Daniel Kaluuya

Helin Kandemir

Brad Caleb Kane

Sung Kang

Isabelle Kabano

Mia Kaplan

Ferit Karahan

Vinnie Karetak

Markella Kavenagh

Willow Kean

Tom Keat

Victorian Keaton

Catherine Keener

Anna Kendrick

Arinzé Kene

Riley Keough

Amanda Kernell

Devin Kessler

Sabrine Khoury

Rinko Kikuchi

Sue Kim

Sharon Kleinberg

Sidse Babett Knudsen

Rami Kodeih

Barbara Kopple

Hirokazu Kore-eda

Elias Koteas

Eugene Kotlyarenko

Ami Koyae

Nick Kozakis

Marie Kreutzer

Joanna Kulig

Sneha Kumari

Michaela Kurimsky

Youm Kyu Bock

Sul Kyung-gu

Luisa Ahl Laabiad

Elliot Latner

Pushpa Thing Lama

Anna Lambe

Louise Claire Lambert

Greg Lanzillotta

Lindsay Lanzillotta

Clara Larrain

Sébastien Laudenbach

Jess Barclay Lawton

Bayan Layla

Alexandra Lazarowich

Laurence Leboeuf

Geddy Lee

Jully Lee

Mike Leigh

Harry Lennix

Michael Lennox

Erickka Leobrera

Lotlot de Leon

Oustin León

Cooper Levy

Jane Levy

Thinley Lhamo

Gail E. Lichtman

Alex Lifeson

Cody Lightning

Matthew Lillard

Juan David Junca Linares

Laura Linney

Simon Liu

Alex Liu

Mariano Llinás

Trinity Lloyd

Sebastián Lojo

Guillaume Lonergan

Aimee Lou Wood

Pedro Louis

Darlene Love

Victoria Luengo

Diego Luna

Johann Lurf

Emmanuel Macchia

Lauren MacRae

John Madden

Ruth Madeley

Phuong Mai Nguyen

Raine Maida

Hana Malasan

Rami Malek

Lawrence Maleka

John Malkovich

Zosia Mamet

Shotaro Mamiya

Darren Mann

Lalisa Manobal (Lisa)

Anna Mantzaris

Kate Mara

Rooney Mara

Nora Mariana

Natalia Marín

Putri Marino

Stuart Martin

Gabriel Martins

Kyle Marvin

Johnny Massaro

Max Mattern

Lukita Maxwell

Michael Maxxis

Joe Maye

Paul Mayhew-Archer

Steve Mazur

James McAvoy

Sheila McCarthy

Martin McDonagh

Daryl McElroy

Michelle McElroy

Scot McFadyen

Ruby McGurrin

Lily McInerny

Jesse McKeown

Scoot McNairy

Richie Mehta

Ezekiel Mekanak

Harry Melling

Joshuah Melnick

Sean Menard

Mark Merphy

Amber Midthunder

Amy Mielke

Takashi Miike

Suzie Miller

Lee Min-ho

Carol Minêm

Helen Mirren

Kiko Mizuhara

Elijah James Lee Moar

Hans Petter Moland

Michael Del Monte

Lola Veronica Vasquez Montenegro

Sara Montpetit

Julianne Moore

Andrew Morgan

Rachel Morrison

Jim Morrison

Wunmi Mosaku

Carrie-Anne Moss

Rym Mroue

Félix Munger

Cristian Mungiu

Sreekant Murali

Iulia Alexandra Mureșan

Ron Murphy

Annie Murphy

Cara Jade Myers

Eileen Myers

Saeed Naderi

Benjamín Naishtat

Maria Nakouzi

Tony Nappo

Guy Nattiv

Inde Navarrette

David Nawrath

Liam Neeson

Michael Nehring

D’Arcee Charrington Neal

Tim Blake Nelson

Leah Nelson

Avi Nesher

Marcus Ngo

Carol Nguyen

Johnny Tri Nguyen

Thiên Ân Nguyễn

Tom Nicoll

Vincent Niia

Nikolai Nikolaeff

Bertil Nilsson

Miwa Nishikawa

Herbert Nordrum

Matteo Norzi

Yza Nouiga

Dylan O’Brien

Jack O’Connell

Kate O’Flynn

Joshua Obra

Brooke Offi

Shun Oguri

Iyabo Ojo

Sir Gary Oldman

Daniel Oriahi

Pamela Alejandra Guinea Ovalle

David Oyelowo

Demet Özdemir

Gabby Padilla

Grace Palmer

Amrit Parbhakar

Randall Park

Molly Parker

Lilah Pate

Michael Patrick Thorton

Sarah Paulson

Alexandra Pechman

Jennifer Peedom

Nicolás Pereda

Vincent Perrone

Genden Phuntsok

Jason Pierce

Aaron Pierre

Adam Pietkiewicz

Andrew Pilkington

Esmeralda Pimentel

Billie Piper

Banjong Pisanthanakun

Sine Plambech

Serville Poblete

Kristoffer Polaha

Ira Pollock

Chabely Ponce

Maria Belen Poncio

Mariia Ponomarova

Pamela Post

Justine Prince

Ang Geck Geck Priscilla

Serena Profaci

Ana Yi Puig

Missi Pyle

Margaret Qualley

Zorga Quanaq

Milo Quifes

Kristen Raath

Diego Rabasa

Katharina Rabl

Issa Rae

Gemma Rosaria Rae

Siena Rafter

Cooper Raiff

Rishikanth Rajendran

Varun Raman

Adam Randall

Matthew Rankin

Noomi Rapace

Megan Rapinoe

Sananth Reddy

Saskia Reeves

Mason Reeves

Noah Reid

Simon Rex

Kris Rey

John Reynolds

Jessica Reynolds

Andrew Rhymer

Theo Rhys

Giovanni Ribisi

Kaycee Rice

Josh Richards

Theja Rio

Fiona Feng-i Roan

Mick Robertson

Chris Rock

Sam Rockwell

Seth Rogen

Lauren Miller Rogen

Alba Rohrwacher

Antonio Rosario

Watson Rose

Margaret Rose

Michaël R. Roskam

Jessica Rothe

Giamo Rowekamp

Jérémi Roy

Rahul Roye

Magdalena Różczka

Joaquín Ruano

Charlie Rush-Reese

Geoffrey Rush

Shawn Ryan

Catalina Saavedra

Ira Sachs

Wadie Said

Miriam Said

Ranjith Sajeev

Afsaneh Salari

Jorge Salinas

Mayra Maribel Salvador

Maude Sandham

Kat Sandler

Yeon Sang-ho

Jonathan Schey

Jana Schmieding

Niels Schneider

Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi

Patrick Schwarzenegger

Cameron Scoggins

Andrew Scott

Tenzin Sedon

Noah Segan

Esinam Semordzi

Shaunak Sen

İlhan Şen

Roshan Sethi

Kiki Seto

Léa Seydoux

Amanda Seyfried

Abinash Bikram Shah

Kiran Shah

Ronni Shalev

Arianna Shannon

Will Sharpe

Tye Sheridan

Reekita Nondine Shimu

Ben Shirinian

Mina Shum

J. K. Simmons

Vikram Pratap Singh

Li Xuan Siow

Alexandre Siqueira

Arild Skaltje

Risten Alida Siri Skum

Samantha Sloyan

Chad Smith

John Smith

Sheridan Smith

Che “Rhymefest” Smith

Sophia Smith

Christian Smith

Zack Snyder

Mandeep Sodhi

Bobby Sommer

Rodrigo Sorogoyen

Allysa Spierings

Cole Sprouse

Rémi St-Michel

Sebastian Stan

Emanuele Maria Di Stefano

Herdís Stefánsdóttir

Maria Mihaela Ștefănuț

Bailey Stender

Dan Stevens

Lake ‘iolani Stevens-Ram

Ruby Stokes

Simon Stone

Lynne Stopkewich

Paolo Strippoli

Amanda Strong

Tom Sturridge

Trudie Styler

Sim Subin

Emma Suárez

Karthik Subbaraj

Jeeva Subramaniam

Son Sukku

Grant Sullivan

Camille Summers-Valli

Mickey Sumner

Jo Sung

Vivian Sung

Keerthy Suresh

Atalanta Swire

Ana Szekely

Małgorzata Szumowska

Maryam Tafakory

Selena Tan

Kheng Hua Tan

Mara Taquin

Bassam Tariq

Channing Tatum

Leo Matthew Temela

Anurag Thakur

River Rayne Thomas

Ehren “Bear Witness” Thomas

Travis Thompson

Alison Thornton

Itay Tiran

Antwan Tolliver

John Torres

Carla Tous

Tamer Trasoglu

John Trengove

Jasmine Trinca

Shinya Tsukamoto

Yan Lanouette Turgeon

David Turpin

John Turturro

Devyn Tyler

Tiberiu Uşeriu

Alin Uhlmann Ușeriu

Mustafa Uzuner

Tony Vahl

Elli Sara Valkeapää

Gloriana Vargas

Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi

Lars Vega

Vishwam Velandy

Neto Villalobos

Melanie Villeneuve

Mary Walsh

Wayne Wang

Celeste Wannenburgh

Alyssa Wapanatâhk

Naomi Watts

Isabella Wei

Ming-Na Wen

Dawian van der Westhuizen

Manuel Wetscher

Forest Whitaker

Susanna White

Dianne Wiest

Paul Andrew Williams

Hudson Williams

Rebel Wilson

Julia Windischbauer

Finn Wittrock

Josef Kubota Wladyka

Fraser Wolfe

Jack Wolfe

Sandra Wollner

Jesse Woods

Arieh Worthalter

Treycen Wuttunnee

Zheng Lu Xinyuan

Bai Xue

Zhou Xun

Stanley Yau

Shuhua Yeh

Edmund Yeo

Cho Yeo-jeong

Michelle Yeoh

Leung Chuen Yeung

Kaan Yildirim

Yoh Yoshida

Hanaël El Yousfi

Jiaqi Yu

Xu Zao

Florian Zeller

David Zellner

Nathan Zellner

Daniel Zolghadri

Andrey Zvyagintsev

Guitarricadelafuente

Adia

Jolene

YOU

Aalayna

Wiidaaseh

Samjad

Ras-Samuel

Holmes

SABU

Tribute presenters:

Gael García Bernal

John Cho

Nyla Innuksuk

Anna Kendrick

Lee Chang-dong

Sul Kyung-gu

John Madden

Chris Rock

Florian Zeller

About TIFF:

TIFF is a not-for-profit cultural organization with a mission to transform the way people see the world through film. A global leader in film and entertainment, TIFF initiatives include the annual Toronto International Film Festival® in September; TIFF Lightbox, which features five cinemas, plus learning and entertainment facilities; the Donald Shebib TIFF Film Circuit, an innovative national distribution programme; and TIFF: The Market launching in 2026. The organization generates an estimated annual economic impact of $240 million CAD. TIFF Lightbox is generously supported by contributors including the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada, the City of Toronto, the Reitman family (Ivan Reitman, Agi Mandel, and Susan Michaels), The Daniels Corporation, and RBC. For more information, visit tiff.net.

TIFF is generously supported by Festival Presenting Sponsor Rogers Communications.

TIFF is generously supported by Major Sponsors RBC and Visa and Major Supporters Telefilm Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the City of Toronto.

Festival Presenting Partner RogersMajor Sponsors: RBC, VisaMajor Supporters: Government of Ontario, Telefilm Canada, City of Toronto
TIFF is a charitable cultural organization with a mission to transform the way people see the world through film.

TIFF prefers Visa.

#TIFF: ROGERS RED CARPET YORKVILLE EXPERIENCE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE AND SCREENING SCHEDULE

Rogers returns to Yorkville with The Rogers Red Carpet during TIFF Opening Weekend from September 10 to 13, 2026 inviting guests into the action and glam of TIFF through shareable photo moments, interactive games and live musical performances. At dusk, the venue will become an open-air movie theatre showcasing TIFF Short Cuts Films and TIFF People’s Choice Award winning films. The event is free and open to the public.

See full schedule below for live musical performances and film screenings.

When:

During hours of operation:

Thursday, September 10 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET
Friday, September 11 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET
Saturday, September 12 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET
Sunday, September 13 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET

Where:

The Rogers Red Carpet on Yorkville Ave between Bellair Street and Hazelton Ave.

The Rogers Red Carpet Musical Performance and Film Screening Schedule:

Thursday, September 10

8 p.m. – LeWolf & Friends
9:30 p.m. – Kid Koala

Friday, September 11

11 a.m. – LeWolf & Friends
1 p.m. – The Sidewalk Crusaders
3 p.m. – Jeremie Albino
5 p.m. – Casa Loma Orchestra
7 p.m. – TIFF Short Cuts Film and Q&A: The End, Q&A with director Niki Lindroth von Bahr
8 p.m. – TIFF People’s Choice Award Screening: La La Land

Saturday, September 12

11 a.m. – LeWolf & Friends
12:30 p.m. – The 99s
2 p.m. – Our Lady Peace: Performance and Q&A on their film Gail
5 p.m. – Casa Loma Orchestra with members of the E Street Band
7 p.m. – TIFF Short Cuts Film and Q&A: Between Late April & Early May, Q&A with director Sophia Smith
8 p.m. – TIFF People’s Choice Award Screening: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Sunday, September 13

11 a.m. – LeWolf & Friends
1 p.m. – Casa Loma Orchestra with members of the E Street Band
2:45 p.m. – ICYMI: TIFF Q&A with Cameron Bailey
4 p.m. – TIFF People’s Choice Award Screening: The Princess Bride

#TIFF26: MR. WILL’S OFFICIAL 2026 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL PARTNERS

It’s our time! We’re thrilled to ring-in the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival, by introducing you to our official supporting partners for this year, the 51st edition of the Festival, running September 10 to 20, 2026! We absolutely live for this, the world’s greatest Film Festival and our team can’t wait to share with you our reviews, our sightings, our thoughts and exciting giveaways!

For now, see our esteemed Team weigh-in on their most notable films of the Festival here:

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A post shared by William Wong (@mrwillwong)

Reviews and sightings to be updated daily here. Please bookmark and check often!

On that note, we’re thrilled to name our generous official partners for the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival! We couldn’t do it without their generosity and support.

CP24 – This is our 17th year contributing to CP24‘s ongoing tiff coverage. Throughout the Festival, you will be seeing our candid captures of stars out in the wild, and we will be highlighting for you the best spots to see the stars and the Films you need to be paying attention to at the Festival. Stay tuned! We will be on for sure September 9th (in the PM) and 10th (in the AM) to start.

SoHo Hotel Toronto – There is so much history at this Hotel and Residence, situated right in the thick of all the tiff excitement, between Metro Toronto Convention Centre and the bustle of King Street. Since opening in 2003, many A-Listers have chosen this quietly luxurious establishment as their place to stay including the likes of Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Deepika Padukone, Lady Gaga, Shania Twain, Will Smith and several more. And did we mention that red-hot Hudson Williams even filmed scenes in Heated Rivalry here? 23 years of star-studded history. beanie and I look forward to our stay, enjoying the amenities including Moretti Caffe and Pizzeria Moretti, bringing you or daily updates from our luxurious suite.

ACURA Canada – Our ride of choice for tiff will be the 2026 ADX Platinum Elite A-Spec, a top-tier, luxury-packed trim from Acura’s subcompact SUV lineup, operating at 190 horsepower, a 360 camera system, Bang & Olufsen sound system, moonroof and several luxurious flourishes. We’re thrilled to see where it takes us!

SHEIN Canada – We get so many compliments about our styling and we thank SHEIN Canada for that. Their fun, versatile, comfortable selection are highlighted by value and affordability, but most of all comfort. When we feel comfortable, we feel our most confident. We can’t wait to show you our tiff looks!

Starbucks Canada – Our favourite coffee always and preferred way to stay alert during these long Festival days. Did you know PSL Season is officially here? New this year are offerings like  Iced Pumpkin Cream Shaken Espresso, Iced Pumpkin Cream Matcha, Pumpkin Spice Chai, Banana Bread Latte,  Iced Banana Bread Chai, and Iced Chaider. And let’s not forget those irresistible new Canadian-made Mini Pumpkin, Pecan and Apple Crumble pies! 

RILEYS & BLACK + BLUE: Located right in the heart of Entertainment District, these sister restaurants hailing from Vancouver, have made a huge splash in Toronto. Offering a consistent and elevated experience, these steakhouses offer a refinement, accessibility and sophistication. Black + Blue not only serves phenomenal steaks, their sushi and Beef Wellington are superb. Rileys offers also excellent seafood and unique tableside experiences (Martinis, anyone?) as well. Rileys currently has a Pre-Theatre three-course $65 menu, perfect for tiff, and both offer Happy Hours as well.

PAI & KIIN: Toronto’s premier quintessential Thai restaurants are a perfect option to dine at during tiff and are almost guaranteed to be bustling! It’s little wonder why stars like Oscar Isaac, Dominic Monaghan, Guillermo del Toro, and essentially any major actor or athlete passing through, frequent them. And even more impressively, both under Chef Nuit Regular’s vision, have achieved Michelin recognitions. PAI is offering a free bag of their Tom Yum Popcorn for those who show their same-day tiff ticket – one bag per table – and KIIN is offering a $99 three-course prix fixe with a glass of Prosecco!

HELLO NORI: Fast, efficient and satisfying, Hello Nori‘s four-to-six hand roll sets are the easiest and quickest lunch, made fresh before your eyes. Its location on York Street is walking distance from all the tiff excitement, and there also is location to serve you at King x Bathurst, with a location in Yorkville coming soon! Toronto is loving this sensation from Vancouver! During tiff, they will have a $55 six-course prix fixe menu! For now, you can get a $10 Gift Card right here to enjoy Hello Nori! Here for more.

MINAMI: Situated right between Princess of Wales Theatre and Roy Thomson Hall, we don’t deserve the convenience of this elevated Japanese establishment, which will be hosting the VISA Infinite Studio during tiff, and offering special curated dishes Wagyu x Tartare and Aosa Lobster Tempura and special cocktails during the Festival.

RADICI PROJECT: Known for their Italian-Japanese seasonal immersive tasting menus, this beautiful and intimate establishment in Little Italy celebrates each occasion and season with honour and beauty.

LAI WAH HEEN: This institution located inside DoubleTree by Hilton has been a force since 1995, known for their luxury Cantonese cuisine. After extensive renovations and a relaunch, they are entering a new era under Chef Heyden Sin, with a re-imagine Cocktail program by Oliver Leung. In celebration of tiff, they’ve introduced an auspicious and sumptuous $8888 Roasted Goose Dish called The Treasure of Fortune, which has gone viral!

ZOVEL SPA – Inspired by nature, perfected by artistry. Where time-honored Eastern rituals and advanced skincare innovation create harmony, radiance, and renewal. They offer the very best, including offers medical-grade SkinCeuticals Treatments. We look forward to a fresh face!

Check-out our Top Five spots to eat at in the heart of the tiff bustle!

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Throughout tiff, we will be giving away gift cards to dine with our amazing partners, with seven days of giveaways to come on our IG and Facebook:

Giveaway Schedule:

RILEYS x BLACK + BLUE $200 Gift Card – September 10, 2026

MINAMI $100 Gift Card – September 11, 2026

STARBUCKS CANADA $25 Gift Card – September 12, 2026

PAI $100 Gift Card – September 12, 2026

KIIN$100 Gift Card – September 13, 2026

HELLO NORI $100 Gift Card – September 14, 2026

LAI WAH HEEN $100 Gift Card – September 15, 2026

RADICI PROJECT $100 Gift Card – September 16, 2026

You must be following to qualify. Stay tuned for the official contest posts!

Happy tiff! We can’t wait to see what the Festival brings us!

Thank you for all your continued support and loyalty!

Mr. Will

#TIFF26: “THE LION DOES NOT CONCERN HIMSELF” TRAILER

Premiering as part of the tiff ’26 SHORT CUTS Programme is Zarrar Kahn‘s THE LION DOES NOT CONCERN HIMSELF. Here’s a view of the Trailer.

Zarrar Kahn’s (In Flames) latest is a charming romantic comedy about an endearing gym coach who is convinced that his online persona as a toxic podcaster is his only ticket to relevance and popularity until a new client and love interest enters his life.

The Short plays as part of Short Cuts Programme 02, with three opportunities to see it during the Festival:

Friday, September 5, 2025

Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Closed captions (CC)

9:30 am

Saturday, September 6, 2025

Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Closed captions (CC)

3:30 pm

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Closed captions (CC)

8:45 pm

#TIFF26: “BID” SHORT FILM TEASER

Short film BID16 has its world premiere at tiff ’26, co-directed by Mick Robertson and Margaret Rose.

BID16 by Mick Robertson & Margaret Rose (prod. Lucent, Denim)

Canada – 2026 – 11’ – Color – Fiction

This much-awaited follow-up to VIMEO Staff Pick EVERY OTHER WEEKEND, is a Toronto-set dark comedy and character study that pushes its protagonists to the brink. 

BID16 takes us into the frantic race of Carmen in the streets of Toronto.

Her storage locker – and everything she owns – is set for auction by morning. As a last-ditch effort, she convinces her little brother Anthony to help her steal her own stuff back. Caught, kicked out, and warned not to return, Carmen is forced to choose: get her things back, or preserve her relationship with the brother who won’t stop chasing after her.

This is a character study of a woman who’d rather break the rules than let them break her, co-directed by the Toronto-based duo Mick Robertson and Margaret Rose

(Every Other Weekend, 2024).

BID16 – Official Teaser
Make sure to catch the film’s screenings if you’re around town:

SHORT CUTS PROGRAMME 04

Sunday 09/13 – 11:30AM (Press & Market) – Scotiabank Theatre

Sunday 09/13 – 5:45PM – Scotiabank Theatre

Thursday 09/17 – 8:30PM – Scotiabank Theatre

#TIFF26: “HA-CHAN, SHAKE YOUR BOOTY!” TRAILER

Oscar nominee Rinko Kikuchi stars in Josef Kubota Wladyka’s HA-CHAN, SHAKE YOUR BOOTY!, a vibrant and moving exploration of grief and the transformative power of dance. The film is set to make its Canadian premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival.

Set against the colourful world of Tokyo’s ballroom dance scene, Haru (Kikuchi) and her husband Luis (Alejandro Edda) share a passion for competing together. Though when tragedy strikes, Haru retreats into isolation and depression. Her spark fades, along with her love of ballroom dancing – and, seemingly, her desire for life itself.

Nine months later, Haru’s sister Yuki (Yoh Yoshida) and cousin Hiromi (YOU) decide it’s time to take action. Determined to bring Haru back into the world, they coax her into returning to the dance studio, encouraging her to dance, date, and begin putting herself back out there. There, she develops an infatuation with a new instructor (Alberto Guerra), forcing her to confront the possibilities and uncertainties of this new chapter in her life.

Moving gracefully between languages, cultures and tones, HA-CHAN, SHAKE YOUR BOOTY! is anchored by meticulous choreography, evocative production design, and a fun soundtrack. At its centre is a captivating performance from Kikuchi, who brings Haru’s journey from heartbreak to rediscovery to life.

For Wladyka, the film is deeply personal. He drew inspiration from his own mother, who navigated years of hardship through the art of dance and continues to compete today at the age of 81. Her resilience and enduring passion became a key inspiration for the film’s exploration of finding a way forward, no matter what life throws your way.

Earlier this year, Wladyka received the Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.

HA-CHAN, SHAKE YOUR BOOTY! will be released in Canadian theatres by Mongrel Media September 25, 2026.

#TIFF26: NEW TRAILER FOR “ATONEMENT”

Today, we get a new Trailer for tiff ’26 selection, Reed Van Dyk‘s ATONEMENT.

Synopsis

Displaced from their home by U.S. military action during the early days of the Iraq War, the Khachaturian family finds refuge with relatives, gathering their three generations together under one roof. But when another bombing erupts nearby, they decide to return to their home across the city. As they navigate the war-torn streets of Baghdad, the family is trapped in a firefight between U.S. Marines and insurgents, and one Marine’s split-second decision devastates the family. Years later, haunted by his time in Iraq and aided by a New Yorker journalist, the Marine seeks to reconcile with the Khachaturian matriarch and her surviving family members. Anchored by moving, unforgettable performances from Boyd Holbrook, Hiam Abbass, and Kenneth Branagh, Atonement is a powerfully human story about the immeasurable costs of war, exploring universal questions about guilt, redemption, and the nature of forgiveness.

Director: Reed Van Dyk

Writer: Reed Van Dyk

Producers: Trevor White, Tim White, David M. Wulf, Reed Van Dyk, Steven Demmler

Executive Producers: Wayne L. Rogers, Robert Van Dyk

Starring: Boyd Holbrook, Kenneth Branagh, Gheed, Majd Eid, Gratiela Brancusi, Tahseen Dahis, Jake Weary, Amanda Warren, Khris Davis, and Hiam Abbass

Release details: ATONEMENT opens October 2 at the Angelika Film Center in New York and the Nuart in Los Angeles and expands October 9 to select theaters nationwide.

#FIRSTLOOK: INDIGENOUS SCREEN OFFICE’S 2026 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL SLATE

The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) celebrates a strong Indigenous presence at the 2026 edition of Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), with eight ISO-supported projects featured at the Festival and a series of Market events bringing together Indigenous filmmakers, industry leaders and international delegates. For the first time, the ISO will co-partner with Telefilm Canada at the Canadian Pavilion, further solidifying the Indigenous presence at TIFF.

“This year marks an important milestone for the ISO. For the first time, we are partnering with Telefilm Canada at the Canadian Pavilion, reflecting how far we have come in building a strong, united and sustainable Indigenous screen sector,” said Kerry Swanson, CEO of the Indigenous Screen Office. “With eight ISO-supported projects having their world premiere at TIFF, and Indigenous creators and producers from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and around the world coming together through the TIFF Market, we are seeing Indigenous storytelling take its rightful place not only on our screens, but in the spaces where partnerships, financing and international opportunities are created. This is the future we have been working towards.”

The ISO invested a combined total of $2.7 million CAD in the development and production of eight films selected in this year’s official program, which spotlights a list of talented emerging voices and award-winning established Indigenous filmmakers.

The ISO-supported projects at TIFF 2026 include 5 feature films, 1 short film, and 2 immersive films:

SEVENTEEN, directed by Justin Ducharme and produced by Experimental Forest Films and You Boy Productions – World Premiere, Discovery

SMUDGE THE BLADES, directed by Cody Lightning and produced by Lightning Mill Inc. and North Country Cinema, World Premiere, Centrepiece

(HABOOLM KSINAALGAT) SOUL CATCHER, from Amanda Strong and Pamela Post, World Premiere, Short Cuts

IN THE HEART OF THE SOUTH, directed by Nyla Innuksuk and produced by Innuksuk’s Mixtape VR and Sphere Media, World Premiere, Platform

HOW WE STAND, directed by Marie Clements and produced by Marie Clements Media and Screen Siren Pictures, World Premiere, Centrepiece

TURTLE ISLAND RAP, directed by Alexandra Lazarowich and produced by T.I. RAP Inc. and Scenario Media, World Premiere, TIFF Docs

TARTUPALUK, from Laakkuluk Williamson and produced by Scintilla, Nation of Lovers Productions and Ánorâk Film, World Premiere, Innovation Hub

MEKWÂC: NOW IS GOOD, from James Monkman and produced by Quantum Wampum and James Monkman Studio, World Premiere, Innovation Hub

As part of TIFF: The Market, ISO will host a series of events September 10–14 designed to foster connection, collaboration and new opportunities for Indigenous screen storytellers in Canada and internationally.

Canadian Pavilion Opening

Thursday, September 10 | 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m. | Canadian Pavilion, Metro Toronto Convention Centre

The Canadian Pavilion welcomes delegates with an opening prayer from an Indigenous elder alongside remarks from the ISO, Telefilm Canada and Ontario Creates.

Ontario/Australia Day

Thursday, Sept, 10, 9:30am-3:30pm |Allied Music Centre at Massey Hall (178 Victoria Street)

This day-long event features information-sharing sessions, including a panel discussion on Australian and Ontario co-productions and B2B meetings. Screen Australia is supporting the participation of 11 production companies. In addition, its First Nations Department has funded 7 production companies through the First Nations Factual Co-production Development Fund. Ontario Creates and the ISO have invited 20 Ontario-based producers to participate in the event and meet with the Australian delegation.

Ontario/UK Day

Friday, September 11 | 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Allied Music Centre at Massey Hall (178 Victoria Street)

In partnership with the British Film Institute (BFI), Ontario Creates will host a B2B event for producers from the United Kingdom who identify as Black and/or as part of the Global Majority, and Ontario producers selected by the Black Screen Office (BSO) and the ISO.

ISO Indigenous Breakfast
Saturday, September 12 | 9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. | TIFF Lightbox

ISO hosts its by-invitation Indigenous Breakfast, welcoming The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture alongside an international delegation of Indigenous filmmakers to TIFF. The gathering will bring Indigenous creators and industry representatives from Canada and around the world together to build relationships, exchange ideas and celebrate Indigenous storytelling at the Festival.

Meet the ISO Team at the Canadian Pavilion

Monday, September 14 | 9:30 a.m.–10:15 a.m. | Canadian Pavilion, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Stage 1

Members of ISO’s Funding team Tash Naveau, Kaya Wheeler and Melanie Nepinak Hadley will introduce ISO’s programs and discuss funding opportunities available to Indigenous screen-based storytellers and organizations.

North is Now: Indigenous Storytelling in the Arctic
Monday, September 14 | 12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m. | Canadian Pavilion, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Stage 1

As the Arctic becomes increasingly important on the world stage, Indigenous storytellers are creating new opportunities for collaboration, co-production and international partnerships.

Bringing together leaders from across the circumpolar North, this conversation will explore how Indigenous-led institutions are building sustainable screen industries, strengthening narrative sovereignty and positioning Canada as a key partner in the future of Arctic film and television.

ISO Late-Night Reception
Monday, September 14 | 9:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. | TIFF Lightbox

ISO will close out its TIFF activities with a by-invitation late-night networking reception bringing together Indigenous filmmakers, industry leaders, partners and guests for an evening of connection and community.

ABOUT THE INDIGENOUS SCREEN OFFICE
The Indigenous Screen Office is an independent national advocacy and funding organization serving First Nations, Inuit and Métis creators of screen content in Canada. The ISO’s mandate is to foster and support narrative sovereignty and cultural revitalization by increasing Indigenous storytelling on screens and promoting Indigenous values and participation across the sector.

#TIFF26: NEW TEASER FOR “BEING HEUMANN”

Today, Apple Original Films unveiled the teaser trailer and key art for“Being Heumann,” a powerful new feature that chronicles the “mother of the disability rights movement,” Judy Heumann, as she leads a group of young adults who come together to find their collective voice in a fight against discrimination. The film marks the second collaboration for Apple Original Films and writer/director Siân Heder, who directed the multi-Academy Award winning “CODA,” which made history as the first with a predominantly deaf cast to receive the Best Picture honor. “Being Heumann” will debut in select theaters November 6, 2026 and premiere globally on Apple TV Friday, November 13, 2026.

The teaser trailer is unveiled just ahead of the premiere of “Being Heumann” as the opening film of the Toronto International Film Festival, set to take place on September 10, 2026.

They wouldn’t take Judy Heumann’s phone calls, so she took their building. In 1977, a young disabled woman (Ruth Madeley) and a scrappy coalition of outsiders decide they’ve had enough. What begins as one impulsive act becomes the longest occupation of a federal building in American history, as hundreds spontaneously seize government offices and refuse to leave until the bureaucrat in their way (Mark Ruffalo) takes action. Bringing rebellion in all its forms to the hallowed halls, a movement’s accidental leaders struggle to find their path forward where none has ever been paved for them. Directed by Academy Award winner Siân Heder (“CODA”) and based on true events, “Being Heumann” is the revolutionary, irreverent and deeply human story of the least likely people trying to pull off the impossible and change the lives of millions.

Apple TV offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all your favorite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 880 wins and 3,826 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning, history-making comedies “The Studio” and “Ted Lasso,” global cultural phenomenon “Severance,” Apple’s most-viewed drama “Pluribus,” Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA” and Academy Award-nominee “F1,” the highest-grossing sports feature of all time.

About Apple TV

Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $14.99 per month with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV for free.*

For more information, visit apple.com/tvpr and see the full list of supported devices.