After unveiling its full programming lineup earlier this week, the Toronto International Film Festival has added five special event screenings to this year’s fest.
The surprise programming announcement includes the world premiere of On My Way Out: The Secret Life of Nani and Popi, from first-time U.S.-based filmmakers Brandon and Skyler Gross. The 40-minute doc details the lives of two Holocaust survivors and a secret that upends their 65-year relationship. Exec produced by Barry Avrich (The Last Mogul) and comedian Howie Mandel, the film will world premiere Sept. 8 at the the TIFF Lightbox. The special screening will be followed up by an audience Q&A with the directors and Avrich.
The festival today announced that it will also world premiere Gaga: Five Foot Two, from Emmy-nominated filmmaker Chris Moukarbel (Banksy Does New York). The film gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at Lady Gaga’s life over eight months, as she records her 2016 album Joanne and deals with personal issues. The Netflix original doc is produced by Heather Parry for Live Nation Productions, Bobby Campbell for Mermaid Films and Moukarbel. Executive producers are Michael Rapino, Kim Ray, Lisa Nishimura, and Benjamin Cotner.
The premiere screening on Sept. 8 will be followed by a performance by Lady Gaga. The doc will debut on Netflix on Sept. 22.
Other special events include a first look at Legend of the Demon Cat, from prolific Chinese director Chen Kaige (Farewell My Concubine), who is also a member of TIFF’s Platform program jury; the world premiere of Paakhi Tyrewala’s feature debut Pahuna: The Little Visitors, produced by Priyanka Chopra and Dr. Madhu Chopra; as well as a free screening, presented in partnership with China Film Archive, of a new restoration of Shin Dongshan’s Struggling, which will feature a live piano accompaniment.