The Toronto International Film Festival in 2026 is set to kick off with the premiere of the biographical film “Being Heumann,” as announced by organizers on Tuesday. The movie, based on a well-received 2020 memoir of the same title, directed by Siân Heder, portrays the life of Judy Heumann, a prominent advocate for disability rights. The cast includes Ruth Madeley in the lead role and Mark Ruffalo portraying former U.S. health secretary Joseph Califano.
Heder, known for the award-winning film “CODA,” will become the fourth female director to open the festival after Sally El Hosaini, Deepa Mehta, and Patricia Rozema. Additionally, two other films, Susanna White’s “Prima Facie” and Hur Jin-ho’s “Assassin(s),” will also have their world premieres at the event.
“Prima Facie,” starring Cynthia Erivo, tells the story of a defense attorney facing sexual assault, while “Assassin(s)” delves into the 1974 attempted assassination of South Korean president Park Chung-hee. The festival is scheduled to run from September 10 to 20, with the lineup of films for the 51st edition to be revealed on August 11.
The Toronto International Film Festival has regained momentum, with recent successes like “Hamnet” earning an Oscars nomination for best picture. The festival’s track record of People’s Choice winners often leading to Oscar recognition has solidified its reputation as the “people’s festival,” attracting major studios to showcase their films. Tickets for the festival will be available for TIFF members on August 21 and for the general public on August 31.