by Tim Gordon
As the Toronto International Film Festival celebrates its milestone 50th edition, the Gala Presentations once again promise to deliver the prestige, glamour, and emotional resonance that define TIFF’s signature programming. These are the films that ignite the red carpet, launch awards campaigns, and offer audiences an early glimpse at the stories that will shape cinema conversations for the year ahead.
This year’s Gala slate is a rich, globe-spanning selection of world-class auteurs and rising visionaries, each bringing bold ideas and deeply personal stories to the screen. With a mix of world premieres and high-profile debuts from the UK, India, France, China, and the United States, the 2025 Gala lineup underscores TIFF’s role as a vital platform for international storytelling and artistic excellence.
From Chloé Zhao’s intimate adaptation of Hamnet to Derek Cianfrance’s emotionally charged Roofman, and Neeraj Ghaywan’s India-set Homebound, the Gala section reflects the broad sweep of human experience: grief, resilience, love, reinvention, all told through distinctive directorial voices. Whether drawn from literature, rooted in cultural identity, or powered by character-driven drama, each title exemplifies TIFF’s commitment to showcasing cinema that inspires, challenges, and connects.
Below, we take a closer look at the six Gala films lighting up TIFF this September.
The Choral
Director: Nicholas Hytner (UK) — World Premiere
From the acclaimed British stage and screen director, The Choral is expected to blend Hytner’s theatrical sensibility with a poignant cinematic story, likely exploring the ties that bind through music, memory, or community. This world premiere marks a return to character-rich drama, steeped in British tradition.
Hamnet
Director: Chloé Zhao (UK) — Canadian Premiere
Zhao’s adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel transforms a speculative reimagining of Shakespeare’s family life into a lyrical meditation on grief, creativity, and legacy. With her gift for intimacy and visual poetry, Zhao may deliver one of TIFF’s most emotionally resonant entries.
Homebound
Director: Neeraj Ghaywan (India) — North American Premiere
Ghaywan, whose previous works explore caste, migration, and generational trauma, returns with Homebound, a film likely to probe the meaning of identity in an era of dislocation. Set in India and infused with cultural specificity, the film speaks to global themes of return, reconciliation, and inner reckoning.
A Private Life
Director: Rebecca Zlotowski (France) — North American Premiere
Known for her work at the intersection of intellect and intimacy, Zlotowski’s latest feature is expected to be a quiet powerhouse exploring the emotional cost of secrets and self-preservation in a modern European context. An elegant entry in TIFF’s tradition of nuanced French storytelling.
Roofman
Director: Derek Cianfrance (USA) — World Premiere
The filmmaker behind Blue Valentine and The Place Beyond the Pines returns with Roofman, a likely exploration of fractured masculinity, guilt, and emotional redemption. With Cianfrance’s signature unflinching style, this world premiere could be one of TIFF’s most emotionally raw and critically discussed offerings.
She Has No Name
Director: Peter Ho-Sun Chan (China) — North American Premiere
This hauntingly titled film from acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Peter Ho-Sun Chan promises a gripping, possibly socially charged drama. Chan, known for his character-driven narratives, may explore identity, trauma, or justice in a contemporary or historical Chinese setting—adding further global depth to TIFF’s slate.
New Gala Selections
Adulthood – Alex Winter | USA | World Premiere
The Bill & Ted actor turns his lens on an American family drama with generational consequences.
Driver’s Ed – Bobby Farrelly | USA | World Premiere
A comedic, heartfelt story about second chances and steering your own course—Farrelly brings his trademark humor to a more personal tale.
Eleanor the Great – Scarlett Johansson | USA | North American Premiere
Johansson steps behind the camera for her directorial debut, a coming-of-age story about rediscovery and legacy.
Eternity – David Freyne | USA | World Premiere
A romantic drama with a speculative twist, Freyne’s latest blends emotional intimacy with existential questions.
Fuze – David Mackenzie | United Kingdom | World Premiere
The director of Hell or High Water returns with a tense British thriller that simmers with moral ambiguity.
Glenrothan – Brian Cox | United Kingdom | World Premiere
The Succession star directs and stars in a personal story set in the Scottish Highlands—a drama steeped in heritage and family reconciliation.
Good Fortune – Aziz Ansari | USA | World Premiere
Ansari directs and stars in a quirky dramedy that explores the price of success and the cost of connection.
John Candy: I Like Me – Colin Hanks | USA | World Premiere
A loving and revealing tribute to one of Canada’s most beloved comedic icons.
Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery – Ally Pankiw | Canada | World Premiere
This documentary looks at the iconic music festival that reshaped the landscape for women in music—an empowering celebration of artistry, activism, and sisterhood.
Nuremberg – James Vanderbilt | USA | World Premiere
A gripping legal drama centered on the landmark post-WWII trials, featuring a powerhouse ensemble and historical gravitas.
Palestine 36 – Annemarie Jacir | Multiple Countries | World Premiere
A politically urgent and emotionally intimate portrait of Palestinian identity across borders and generations.
Peak Everything – Anne Émond | Canada | Toronto Premiere
The Festival’s Closing Night Gala, Émond’s film is a timely meditation on burnout, ambition, and digital-age disillusionment.
Sholay – Ramesh Sippy | India | 50th Anniversary Restoration | North American Premiere
TIFF honors one of the most iconic films in Indian cinema with a dazzling restoration and red-carpet celebration.
Swiped – Rachel Lee Goldenberg | USA | World Premiere
A sharp, comedic look at love, dating, and identity in the app age.
Two Pianos – Arnaud Desplechin | France | World Premiere
A cinematic duet of music and memory, from the master of complex character studies.
These Gala presentations aren’t just about star power; they’re about storytelling that dares to feel, provoke, and transport. Whether it’s Zhao’s Shakespearean elegy or Cianfrance’s American bruiser, each film has the potential to leave a lasting impression. For audiences, TIFF’s Gala screenings offer an early seat at the table where the global conversation on cinema begins.
