The Zoobly Editor 
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) just turned 50—and it’s not aging quietly. From September 4–14, 2025, TIFF is throwing a cinematic bash that’s part Oscar launchpad, part cultural revolution, and all-out glam. With 291 films, immersive retrospectives, and a record-breaking spotlight on Indigenous and Canadian voices, TIFF 50 is rewriting the rules of what a film festival can be.
TIFF 50’s lineup is a masterclass in diversity and daring. From Park Chan-wook’s politically charged No Other Choice to Guillermo del Toro’s haunting Frankenstein, the festival is a playground for auteurs and disruptors.
Ryan Reynolds opens the fest with John Candy: I Like Me, a heartfelt documentary tribute to the Canadian comedy legend. Meanwhile, Dwayne Johnson premieres The Smashing Machine, a gritty biopic about MMA fighter Mark Kerr.
Opening with Heart: John Candy: I Like Me
TIFF 50 kicked off with tears and laughter as Ryan Reynolds and Colin Hanks premiered their documentary tribute to Canadian legend John Candy. It’s a love letter to comedy, nostalgia, and national pride—setting the tone for a festival deeply rooted in homegrown storytelling.
The TIFF Timescape: Cinema Meets Memory
Rogers brought TIFF back to its Yorkville roots with the TIFF 50 Timescape, a free immersive experience featuring archival red carpet moments, film scores performed live by the Casa Loma Symphony Orchestra, and interactive exhibits that walk you through five decades of TIFF history. It’s not just a retrospective—it’s a sensory time machine
Planet Africa Turns 30
TIFF’s legendary Planet Africa program celebrates three decades of Black cinema. The Black Excellence Brunch returned with bold voices and powerful stories—proof that TIFF isn’t just inclusive, it’s transformative.
Tribute Awards: Icons Honored
The TIFF Tribute Awards Gala lit up the Fairmont Royal York with star power:
- Guillermo del Toro – Ebert Director Award
- Channing Tatum – Performer Tribute
- Idris Elba – Impact Media Award
- Jodie Foster, Lee Byung-hun, Catherine O’Hara – Lifetime Achievement Honors
Films That Matter: Bold, Diverse, Unforgettable
TIFF 50’s lineup is stacked with global premieres and Oscar bait:
- Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein – Gothic horror meets auteur brilliance
- Angelina Jolie’s Couture – A fashion drama set in Paris Fashion Week
- Aziz Ansari’s Good Fortune – Keanu Reeves plays an angel (yes, really)
- Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet – Shakespeare reimagined with Jessie Buckley & Paul Mescal
- Origin: The Story of the Basketball Africa League – Featuring J. Cole, Steph Curry, and Barack Obama
Plus, eight Indigenous Canadian films—the most in TIFF history—are front and center, including Blood Lines and True North, which explore love, resistance, and cultural memory.
Conversations That Count
TIFF’s “In Conversation With…” series brings raw, unfiltered insights from creators like Tessa Thompson, Park Chan-wook, and Nia DaCosta. These aren’t just panels—they’re masterclasses in storytelling, identity, and disruption.
Summary
- Dates: Sept 4–14, 2025
- Films: 291 titles, including premieres from del Toro, Jolie, and Reynolds
- Events: TIFF Timescape, Tribute Awards, Planet Africa’s 30th, Black Excellence Brunch
- Highlights: Indigenous film spotlight, Criterion Mobile Closet, Yorkville homecoming
- Verdict: TIFF 50 isn’t just a milestone—it’s a movement. A cinematic celebration of identity, innovation, and legacy.
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