The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced the first 60 films that will comprise the galas and special presentations for the upcoming festival. In total, they represent 37 world, seven international, 12 North American and four Canadian premieres.

When it comes to Canadian representation, two Canuck films will celebrate their world premieres with all the pomp of a TIFF gala. Firebelly Films’ Leigh Brooks (Sounds of Scars) arrives with Hate to Love: Nickelback – a film profiling the Canadian band that took more than six years to capture. Sophie Dupuis (Underground), meanwhile, comes to TIFF with Solo (pictured), a film that tells the story of a rising star on the Montreal drag scene and his conflicted relationships with both his lover and mother.

With 14 galas announced, there are numerous notables. Among them, watch for Next Goal Wins from New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi – best known for films like Jojo Rabbit and series such as What We Do in the Shadows and Wellington Paranormal.

Making its North American premiere is Concrete Utopia from filmmaker Um Tae-Hwa. The South Korean disaster-thriller is based on the webtoon Pleasant Bullying by Kim Sung-nik and focuses on an earthquake and its aftermath.

Craig Gillespie’s world premiere of Dumb Money, meanwhile, is based on Ben Mezrich’s 2021 book The Antisocial Network. The film stars Paul Dano as Keith Gill, a guy who decided to invest his entire life savings into GameStop stock and post about it on Reddit.

When it comes to special presentations, six Canadian films will take the spotlight, including the world premiere of Dominic Savage’s (I Am…) Canada/U.K. copro Close to You, which stars Elliot Page as Sam, who faces a dreaded family reunion.

Viggo Mortensen (Lord of the Rings) arrives with a Mexico/Canada/Denmark copro The Dead Don’t Hurt. Set in the 1860’s, the world premiere tells the story of a French Canadian woman who falls in love with a Danish immigrant in San Francisco before the Civil War separates them.

Chloé Robichaud (Sarah Prefers to Run) will be feted for the world premiere of her film Days of Happiness, which focuses on the difficult relationship between a successful orchestra conductor and her father-agent.

In Swan Song, documentary filmmaker Chelsea McMullan takes viewers behind the scenes inside one of the world’s leading ballet companies as it mounts a monumental and new production of Swan Lake. The world premiere features National Ballet of Canada icon Karen Kain as she bids farewell to the company she’s become synonymous with.

The Beast, meanwhile, will make its North American premiere with a TIFF special presentation. The France/Canada copro from Bertrand Bonello (The Pornographer) is a sci-fi romantic drama based on Henry James’ 1903 novella The Beast in the Jungle.

Finally, as was previously announced, iconic Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan makes his world premiere with Seven Veils.

There are plenty of highlights among the 46 films that make up the special presentation lineup, including In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon from Alex Gibney, North Star from Kristin Scott Thomas and Chris Pine’s Poolman. Also look for premieres from some notable Hollywood stars, including Wildcat from Ethan Hawke, Knox Goes Away from Michael Keaton and Anna Kendrick’s Woman of the Hour.

Given all the labour unrest, however, only time will tell if the A-listers themselves will be in attendance to make an appearance on the red carpet.

“This year’s Galas & Special Presentations showcase a rich tapestry of talent, vision, and storytelling,” said TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey in a statement.

“From thought-provoking narratives to breathtaking visuals and stories so unreal they have to be real, each work embodies the power of cinema to inspire, challenge, and move audiences. Get ready to experience an unforgettable celebration of film and a memorable and star-studded festival, showcasing the best of global cinema for film lovers in September,” Bailey added.

Photo courtesy TIFF