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

VVS Films release as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Degrassi’s 40-year legacy

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

About Lisa Rideout

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

About WildBrain

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

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

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

About Peacock Alley Entertainment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Past celebrity sightings: Jessica Chastain, Lucy Liu, Oprah

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2025 FIPRESCI Jury

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

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

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

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

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

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

2025 NETPAC Jury

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

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

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

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

People’s Choice Awards presented by Rogers

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

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

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

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

ARCO premieres at TIFF ’25 and today we get a new Trailer for this beautiful Animated Feature.

Synopsis:

A magical and beautifully animated journey through time, Arco is a dazzling adventure about a 10-year-old boy from a peaceful, distant future who accidentally travels back to the year 2075 and discovers a world in peril. As Arco develops a charming and touching friendship with a young girl named Iris, they band together and along with her trusted robot caretaker Mikki, set out on a quest to get Arco home, while the two children may also be the only ones who can save our planet. A wondrous odyssey filled with hope and optimism for our future, Arco is an enchanting fable from breakout filmmaker Ugo Bienvenu, produced by Remembers’ Bienvenu and Felix de Givry, and mountainA’s Natalie Portman and Sophie Mas.

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

STILL SINGLE, a feature-length documentary exploring the world of Chef Masaki Saito, Canada’s first Michelin two-star chef, is having its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2025, followed by a spectacular 60-foot sushi counter experience for everyone to enjoy on King Street. The film offers an intimate portrait of the culinary visionary behind Sushi Masaki Saito, Toronto’s sole two-star Michelin establishment.

Directed by first-time filmmakers Toronto-based Jamal Burger and Tokyo-based Jukan Tateisi, STILL SINGLE traces Chef Saito’s journey from rural Hokkaido to transforming Toronto’s fine dining landscape. The documentary captures his groundbreaking approach to Omakase dining, which showcases the Chef’s expertise and creativity, while revealing the intense lifestyle that drives his culinary genius.

“Only by going through the process of directing this film and getting to know Saito did we realize how challenging it is, especially in Japan, to break through a collectivist society as an individual,” said co-directors Burger and Tateisi. “This film explores what happens when tradition meets innovation, and the personal cost of pursuing perfection.”

The 36-year-old chef made history as the first to earn two Michelin stars in Toronto (2022) and remains the only person to achieve this milestone in both Toronto and New York (2017/2018). His restaurant continues to be Toronto’s only two-star Michelin establishment in 2025.

STILL SINGLE is a Rhombus Media production in association with Common Good, produced by Julian Nieva, Fraser Ash, and Kevin Krikst, with Niv Fichman serving as Executive Producer. The film features original music by Alex Sowinski, founding member of BADBADNOTGOOD.

Special TIFF Activation: 60ft Omakase Experience

To celebrate the film’s world premiere, a spectacular 60-foot sushi counter will be installed on King Street in front of the TIFF Lightbox on September 5th. Starting at 5:00 PM, following the documentary’s premiere screening, members of the public can experience complimentary Omakase prepared by chefs from MSSM, offering festival-goers a rare taste of Toronto’s only two-star Michelin dining experience.

This unique experience brings Chef Saito’s revolutionary approach to the streets of Toronto, allowing the public to witness the artistry and precision that has redefined the city’s culinary landscape.

About the Filmmakers

Jamal Burger is a Toronto-based filmmaker and photographer whose work focuses on fostering connection through shared vulnerability. He is the founder of The Kickback Foundation, a nonprofit established in 2016 to empower youth with dreams but limited resources. STILL SINGLE marks his debut feature documentary.

Jukan Tateisi is a Tokyo and London-based visual artist and sound designer who graduated from London’s Royal College of Art in 2020. He has participated in international art festivals including “New Contemporaries 2021” in the UK and “Forest Festival of the Arts” in Okayama (2024).

About Rhombus Media

Founded in 1979 by Niv Fichman, Toronto-based Rhombus Media has produced over 200 award-winning films and TV projects, including BlackBerry, Possessor, The Red Violin, and Enemy. Recent titles include Atom Egoyan’s Seven Veils and the upcoming TIFF 2025 premiere Still Single. Television credits include HBO’s The Sympathizer and The North Water. More at www.rhombusmedia.com.

We get a new Trailer for TIFF ’25 selection GEORGE ORWELL 2+2=5, from Director Raoul Peck.

George Orwell was one of the most visionary authors of the 20th Century, whose novels 1984 and Animal Farm foretold a chilling, all-to-believable authoritarian future. Acclaimed director Raoul Peck (Academy Award-nominated I Am Not Your Negro), working in collaboration with the Orwell Estate, seamlessly interweaves historical clips, readings from Orwell’s diary, cinematic references, and dynamic modern day footage to craft not only a definitive portrait of the writer himself, but an entirely fresh take on how remarkably relevant and prophetic his work has become. Peck doesn’t just present the information but shows new ways of seeing it, drawing patterns and connections we might not otherwise realize, championing Orwell as a man from the past who just might hold the key to the world’s future.

Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF, is sharing the final list of honourees for the seventh annual TIFF Tribute Awards, the fundraising gala that celebrates outstanding contributions to cinema. Award-winning actor, producer, director, and musician Idris Elba will receive the TIFF Tribute Award in Impact Media; Kazu Hiro, the Academy Award–winning artist will receive the TIFF Variety Artisan Award; acclaimed German actor Nina Hoss and Hollywood star Channing Tatum will be presented with TIFF Tribute Performer Awards; Academy Award–winning Iranian auteur Jafar Panahi and celebrated Inuk filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk will be presented with TIFF Special Tribute Awards; and Canadian icon Catherine O’Hara will receive the TIFF Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award. These seven will be honoured alongside the previously announced recipients: Guillermo del Toro, Jodie Foster, HIKARI, and Lee Byung Hun. The TIFF Tribute Awards in partnership with Rolex, will take place on Sunday, September 7, at Fairmont Royal York Hotel, with Brendan Fraser serving as the Honorary Chair.

“The 2025 Tribute Award honourees represent the very best of what cinema can achieve,” said Bailey. “Hailing from different corners of the world, Idris Elba, Kazu Hiro, Nina Hoss, Zacharias Kunuk, Catherine O’Hara, Jafar Panahi, and Channing Tatum have created work that moves us, challenges us, and expands our understanding of the human experience. Their artistry and commitment to storytelling cross borders and cultures, inspiring audiences everywhere.”

The TIFF Tribute Awards gala is TIFF’s largest annual fundraiser and a world-class celebration of cinematic excellence. Proceeds support TIFF’s 50th edition campaign, Transform Together, advancing TIFF’s talent development, honouring visionary artists, and deepening community impact. Presented in partnership with Rolex, with support from RBC, Don Julio, and Fairmont Royal York.

2025 TIFF Tribute Awards Honourees

Idris Elba – TIFF Tribute Award in Impact Media, presented by Anne-Marie Canning

Celebrated for his versatility and global impact, and a frequent presence at TIFF, Elba has brought some of his most acclaimed work to the Festival, including RocknRolla (TIFF ’08), Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (TIFF ’13), Beasts of No Nation (TIFF ’15), The Mountain Between Us (TIFF ’17), and Molly’s Game (TIFF ’17). He returns to TIFF this year with his directorial debut, the World Premiere of his short film Dust to Dreams, starring Seal. Known for his iconic roles in The Wire, Luther, and The Harder They Fall, Elba made history in 2016 as the first male actor to win two SAG Awards in one night. Beyond the screen, he is a dedicated advocate for social change, having co-founded the Elba Hope Foundation, which focuses on advancing equity through youth advocacy, opportunity access, employability, and education across the UK, Africa, and the United States. Previously bestowed upon such visionaries as Angelina Jolie, Pedro Almodóvar, Mira Nair, and Alanis Obomsawin, the TIFF Tribute Award in Impact Media is presented by Anne-Marie Canning and recognizes leadership in creating a union between social impact and cinema.

Kazu Hiro – TIFF Variety Artisan Award

Kazu Hiro is a prosthetic makeup designer and contemporary hyperrealist sculptor. He is a self-taught pioneer in the craft of using contemporary materials to create the illusion of life, and as an early pioneer in Japan, Kazu founded one of the country’s first companies of its kind, Makeup and Effects Unlimited, and worked with director Akira Kurosawa in the production of Rhapsody in August. In 1996, Kazu was sponsored by Rick Baker to work on Men In Black which prompted a decade-long collaboration with Baker where Kazu was project supervisor and makeup artist. In 2007, Kazu started KTS Effects Inc. in Los Angeles. In 2018, Kazu received numerous awards and nominations, including the Academy Award for Best Makeup & Hairstyling, for his work in Darkest Hour to help Gary Oldman portray Winston Churchill, and again in 2020 for his work in Bombshell. He received further recognition in 2024 for his work on Maestro to help Bradley Cooper portray Leonard Bernstein, and he will be coming to TIFF for his work transforming Dwayne Johnson in The Smashing Machine. The TIFF Variety Artisan Award recognizes a distinguished creative who has excelled at their craft and made an outstanding contribution to cinema and entertainment. Previous recipients of the TIFF Variety Artisan Award include Clément Ducol and Camille (2024), Łukasz Żal (2023), Hildur Guðnadóttir (2022), Ari Wegner (2021), Terence Blanchard (2020), and Roger Deakins (2019).

Nina Hoss – TIFF Tribute Performer Award

Renowned for her emotionally resonant portrayals of complex women, Nina Hoss returns to the Festival for the World Premiere of Hedda, Nia DaCosta’s modern reimagining of Ibsen’s classic, in which she stars as Eileen Lovborg. A TIFF alum, Hoss has previously attended with The White Masai (TIFF ’05), Phoenix (TIFF ’14), for which she won Best Actress from the Toronto Film Critics Association, and The Audition (TIFF ’19), which earned her Best Actress at the San Sebastián Film Festival. Her international film credits include Tár, A Most Wanted Man, Barbara, and Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World. Her television credits include Homeland, Jack Ryan, and The Defeated.

Channing Tatum – TIFF Tribute Performer Award, presented by Cineplex

Known for his action roles, critically acclaimed dramatic performances such as Foxcatcher (TIFF ’14), and career highlights including Step Up, Magic Mike, 21 Jump Street, The Hateful Eight, and Logan Lucky, Channing Tatum has consistently showcased remarkable versatility. His latest performance is in Derek Cianfrance’s Roofman, having its World Premiere at TIFF on September 6, and based on the true story of former United States Army Reserve officer Jeffrey Manchester, who escapes prison and secretly lives inside a Toys “R” Us.

The TIFF Tribute Performer Award recognizes an overall body of work. Past recipients are Amy Adams and Jharrel Jerome (2024), Colman Domingo and Vicky Krieps (2023), Brendan Fraser and the ensemble cast of My Policeman (2022), Jessica Chastain and Benedict Cumberbatch (2021), Kate Winslet and Sir Anthony Hopkins (2020), and Meryl Streep and Joaquin Phoenix (2019).

Jafar Panahi – TIFF Special Tribute Award

Panahi returns to TIFF with Palme d’Or winner It Was Just an Accident, his first film following his most recent prison sentence. Panahi’s films, including The Circle (TIFF ’00), Crimson Gold (TIFF ’03), Offside (TIFF ’06), and Jafar Panahi’s Taxi (TIFF ’15) have won major awards on the festival circuit, often spotlighting social issues. Despite a 20-year ban on filmmaking imposed in 2010, he continued to create clandestinely, earning global recognition and support. His debut feature The White Balloon (TIFF ’95) won the Caméra d’Or at Cannes, launching a career marked by international acclaim and domestic censorship. Born in Mianeh, Iran, Panahi studied film at Iran Broadcasting University before working as Abbas Kiarostami’s assistant on Through the Olive Trees (1994).

Zacharias Kunuk – TIFF Special Tribute Award

Kunuk returns to the Festival with his latest enthralling imagining of ancient Inuit stories in Uiksaringitara (Wrong Husband). Over a groundbreaking career spanning more than four decades, Kunuk has become renowned for telling stories from an Inuit perspective. His landmark film Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner (TIFF ’01) won the Caméra d’Or at Cannes and was voted the Best Canadian Film of All Time by the Toronto International Film Festival Critic Poll in 2015. He has premiered several works at the Festival, including The Journals of Knud Rasmussen (TIFF ’06), Maliglutit (Searchers) (TIFF ’16), and One Day in the Life of Noah Piugattuk (TIFF ’19), which also headlined the Canadian Pavilion at the 58th Venice Biennale. His first animated film, Angakusajaujuq – The Shaman’s Apprentice, won the Short Cuts Award for Best Canadian Short Film at TIFF ’21. In recognition of his cultural and artistic contributions, Kunuk was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2015 and an Officer of the Order of Nunavut in 2019.

Three Special Tribute Awards will be presented this year. Kunuk and Panahi join (the recently announced) Lee Byung Hun as recipients of this prestigious award, which recognizes an individual who has made an extraordinary and unique contribution to the world of film, leaving a lasting legacy through their dedication and artistry. Previous recipients include Zhao Tao (2024), Andy Lau (2023), Dionne Warwick (2021), and David Foster (2019).

Catherine O’Hara — TIFF Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award, presented by The Budman Family

A comedic legend, Catherine O’Hara brings fearless versatility to comedy and drama alike. From her groundbreaking work on SCTV to iconic roles in Beetlejuice, Home Alone, and as the over-the-top matriarch Moira Rose on the Canadian hit series Schitt’s Creek, she has shaped pop culture with her unforgettable characters and incredible wit. O’Hara attended the Festival with the following films: For Your Consideration (TIFF ’06), Penelope (TIFF ’06), The Right Kind of Wrong (TIFF ’13), and The Wild Robot (TIFF ’24). Recently starring in Seth Rogen’s The Studio (2025), she continues to champion Canadian film and television while inspiring generations of performers. Introduced in 2023, this award recognizes Canadians in the film industry who have made a global impact with their careers. Past recipients include David Cronenberg (2024) and Shawn Levy (2023).

The 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, runs September 4–14, 2025. Stay tuned for more TIFF announcements

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.

Netflix today debuted the official trailer for the propulsive new limited series, BLACK RABBIT. Starring and executive produced by Jude Law and Jason Bateman, this gripping crime thriller premieres Thursday, September 18, 2025 only on Netflix. This will.be part of TIFF ’25‘s Primetime Programme as well.

From creators Zach Baylin and Kate Susman, Black Rabbit also stars Cleopatra Coleman, Amaka Okafor, Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù and Troy Kotsur, with Abbey Lee, Chris Coy, Dagmara Dominczyk, Forrest Weber, Odessa Young and Robin De Jesus.

ABOUT BLACK RABBIT:
Set against the backdrop of New York City’s high-pressure nightlife scene, Black Rabbit centers around two brothers who learn just how far family, and the pursuit of success, can push them to the edge. Jake Friedkin (Jude Law) is the charismatic owner of The Black Rabbit, a restaurant and VIP lounge, poised to become the hottest spot in New York. But when his brother, Vince (Jason Bateman), returns to the business unexpectedly, trouble soon follows; opening the door to old traumas and new dangers that threaten to bring down everything they’ve built. Black Rabbit is a propulsive thrill ride and character examination about the way an unbreakable bond between two brothers can shatter their world and everything in its orbit.
The series is created and executive produced by Zach Baylin and Kate Susman for Youngblood Pictures. Executive producers include Jason Bateman, Michael Costigan and Roxie Rodriguez for Aggregate Films; Jude Law and Ben Jackson for Riff Raff Entertainment; Bryan Kavanaugh Jones from Automatik; Andrew Hinderaker, Zac Fognowski, Justin Levy, Dave Bernon and Erica Kay.

Series Credits:
Creators: Zach Baylin, Kate Susman
Executive Producers: Jason Bateman, Michael Costigan and Roxie Rodriguez’s Aggregate Films; Jude Law and Ben Jackson’s Riff Raff Entertainment; Zach Baylin and Kate Susman’s Youngblood Pictures; Bryan Kavanaugh Jones from Automatik; Andrew Hinderaker, Zac Fognowski, Justin Levy, Dave Bernon and Erica Kay
Cast: Bateman, Law, Cleopatra Coleman, Amaka Okafor, Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, Troy Kotsur, Abbey Lee, Chris Coy, Dagmara Dominczyk, Odessa Young and Robin De Jesus, with Amir Malaklou, Don Harvey, Forrest Weber, Francis Benhamou , Gus Birney, John Ales and Steve Witting.
Directors: Jason Bateman (101, 102), Laura Linney (103, 104), Ben Semanoff (105, 106), Justin Kurzel (107,108)
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