Select World Premieres, Steven Soderbergh & Nia DaCosta

Although it may still be high summer, we’re already looking forward to the upcoming fall film festivals. After previously announcing that this year’s edition will open with Colin Hanks’ documentary “John Candy: I Like Me,” the Toronto International Film Festival has today announced the first five Special Presentation titles of its Official Selection set to have their world premieres at the festival’s 50th edition this September.

The five include new films from Steven Soderbergh, Nia DaCosta, Chandler Levack, Alejandro Amenábar, and Sung-hyun Byun. Per today’s press release, “These films hail from Canada, Spain/Italy, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and reflect the bold vision, global perspective, and artistic excellence that have defined TIFF for five decades.”

Soderbergh will bring his dark comedy “The Christophers” to the festival. Starring Ian McKellen, James Corden, and Michaela Coel, it’s about a family who hires a forger to “finish” their dead famous father’s paintings, in hopes of making a mint from them. Also of interest: Nia DaCosta’s much-anticipated adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s iconic play “Hedda Gabler,” simply titled “Hedda” and starring Tessa Thompson in the lead role.

“These first five films of our Official Selection reflect the innovation, heart, and global perspective that have made our Festival a home for great cinema over the past 50 editions,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF, in his own statement. “We’re excited to kick off our Special Presentations with Chandler Levack’s ‘Mile End Kicks,’ a young, Canadian director who has very close ties to TIFF, in addition to these established directors. We can’t wait to share more in the weeks ahead as we celebrate this historic year with audiences and filmmakers from around the world.”

This year’s official screening venues will once again include TIFF Lightbox, Roy Thomson Hall, the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre, Cineplex’s Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, Glenn Gould Studio at the Canadian Broadcast Centre, Cinema Park at David Pecaut Square, and the Royal Alexandra Theatre. The seventh edition of the TIFF Tribute Awards Gala will take place on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at Fairmont Royal York Hotel.

On the last day of the festival, TIFF announces the winners of its various awards. Alongside the popular People’s Choice Awards, presented by Rogers, this September introduces the brand-new International People’s Choice Award. Also returning are the esteemed Jury Prizes including the Platform Award, now celebrating its tenth year, and honors from FIPRESCI and NETPAC.

Check out the full listing of today’s additions below:

“The Captive” | Alejandro Amenábar | Spain / Italy | World Premiere | Special Presentation

“The Christophers” | Steven Soderbergh | UK | World Premiere | Special Presentation

“Good News” | Sung-hyun Byun | South Korea | World Premiere | Special Presentation

“Hedda” | Nia DaCosta | USA | World Premiere | Special Presentation

“Mile End Kicks” | Chandler Levack | Canada | World Premiere | Special Presentation

The 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, runs September 4 – 14, 2025. More festival details will be shared in the coming weeks.