Toronto's Film Festival Opens With a Story About Disability Rights

The 51st Toronto International Film Festival runs from 10 to 20 September 2026 with 293 feature films. It opened with the disability rights drama Being Heumann and includes Jodie Comer's Stuffed, a Megan Rapinoe documentary and new films directed by Jesse Eisenberg, Chris Rock and Courteney Cox.

TIFF Bell Lightbox, the Toronto International Film Festival's home in downtown Toronto. Photo: Mathew5000, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

By the UISC BD Editorial Desk · United Information Service Center · Published 13 September 2026 · 4-minute read

The Festival at a Glance

Edition: the 51st Toronto International Film Festival.
Dates: 10–20 September 2026.
Programme: 293 feature films and 45 shorts.

Opening and Closing Films

Opening: Being Heumann, directed by Siân Heder, stars Ruth Madeley as disability rights activist Judith Heumann — an inspiring choice to launch the festival.

Closing: Villeneuve: The Rise of a Legend, directed by Yan Lanouette Turgeon.

Premieres Getting Attention

Stuffed — a musical horror film starring Jodie Comer and Harry Melling.
Rapinoe — Rebeca Huntt's documentary about football star Megan Rapinoe.
The Last Photograph — a world premiere from Zack Snyder.

Actors Behind the Camera

An unusual number of actors are presenting films as directors this year, including:

Jesse Eisenberg — The Debut
Chris Rock — Misty Green
Tim Blake Nelson — The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd
Courteney Cox — Evil Genius
Rebel Wilson — Girl Group

Documentaries

TIFF Docs 2026 features 21 titles from 20 countries, including 18 world premieres.

If You Can't Be in Toronto

Note the titles that interest you. Many festival films reach cinemas or streaming services in the months that follow.
Follow the People's Choice Award at the end of the festival to see which films audiences loved most.
Look beyond the famous names. Documentaries and international films often find wider audiences after strong festival screenings.
Read reviews from several critics — festival reactions can be enthusiastic in the moment and shift once films are released.

Why Toronto Matters

TIFF is one of the world's largest public film festivals, where audiences — not just critics — see films first. Its audience-voted People's Choice Award, announced at the end of the festival, is closely watched as an early indicator of films that connect with viewers.

More from the festival season: Venice 2026 winners. On television: our Emmys preview.

Sources

"2026 Toronto Film Festival photos: opening ceremony, 'Being Heumann,' 'Rapinoe' and 'Stuffed' premieres," Deadline — deadline.com
"Toronto International Film Festival 2026: full slate," Gold Derby — goldderby.com
"The lowdown on the 2026 Toronto lineup," Screen Daily — screendaily.com
"2026 Toronto International Film Festival," Wikipedia — en.wikipedia.org

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