This column highlights titles that are attracting buyer interest.

*Washington Square

Polish director Agnieszka Holland, who’s been a festival regular since Angry Harvest in the mid-eighties, returns with her fourth American feature. This adaptation of a Henry James novel (Ian Softley’s The Wings of the Dove is the other James adaptation at tiff) boasts a strong cast with Jennifer Jason Leigh, Albert Finney, Maggie Smith and Ben Chaplin.

The story, a precise and cutting commentary on the contradictions of Victorian principles in America, is about a plain but wealthy woman – on the verge of spinsterhood – and her penniless but handsome suitor. The book was originally adapted by William Wyler in 1949 as The Heiress, starring Olivia de Havilland.

Buena Vista has North American and Live International is handling worldwide rights. A number of territories, including Australia and much of Europe, are sold.

Press and industry screening:

Thursday, Sept. 11, 4:45 p.m.

Sheraton 2

Public screenings:

Friday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m.

Roy Thomson Hall

Saturday, Sept. 13, 12:15 p.m.

Uptown 1

*Buud Yam

Burkina Faso filmmaker Gaston J-M Kabore returns, 15 years later, to the story of Wend Kuuni, an orphaned child who was the subject of his highly popular African film of the same name. Wend Kuuni, now a young man, has never been entirely accepted by his adoptive family because his mother was a sorceress. Now that his sister is ill and everyone suspects he is to blame, Wend Kuuni embarks on a voyage through the West African landscape in search of the only healer who can save his sister – and himself.

Mainstream out of Paris has all rights except France, Italy, Africa and South Africa.

Public screenings:

Thursday, Sept. 11, 6:30 p.m.

Cumberland 2

Saturday, Sept. 13, 3:45 p.m.

Uptown 2

*TwentyFourSeven

British filmmaker Shane Meadows had two shorts – Where’s the Money, Ronnie? and Small Time – at last year’s tiff. This year, he returns with his first feature, which is shot in black and white. With Thatcher’s economic carnage as the backdrop, the story focuses on a middle-aged man (Bob Hoskins) who reopens an old boxing club and gets a few street kids into the club to try their skill in the ring.

tiff director Piers Handling is calling Meadows ‘a filmmaker to watch at a point when British cinema appears to be on the verge of major resurrection.’

The Sales Co. is handling the title and, as of the beginning of the festival, all rights were available.

Press and industry screening:

Thursday, Sept. 11, 8:30 a.m.

Sheraton 2

Public screening:

Friday, Sept. 12, 3:45 p.m.

Uptown 2

*First Love, Last Rites

From music-video director and short filmmaker Jesse Peretz comes a first feature based on an Ian McEwen short story. The tale revolves around two adolescents – Joey (Giovanni Ribisi) and Sissel (Natasha Gregson Wagner) – and the crumbling of their initially exciting relationship.

Forensic Films is selling the film and all rights are available.

Press and industry screening:

Thursday, Sept. 11, 10 a.m.

Sheraton 2

Public screening:

Friday, Sept. 12, 1:30 p.m.

Varsity 2

*Vertical Love

This film from Cuban director Arturo Sotto Diaz (Place Your Thought on Me) is an over-the-top comedy about two people, desperately in love, who defy all odds to be together. Ernesto, a nurse who pretends to be psychiatrist in order to woo women who are admitted to the hospital where he works, meets Estela after her suicide attempt. On their search for a place to make love, the couple plow through the decayed remains of Havana. Elevators look promising.

Pandora Cinema has all rights.

Press and industry screening:

Thursday, Sept. 11, 9 a.m.

Backstage 1

Public screenings:

Friday, Sept. 12, 1 p.m.

Uptown 2