The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has added L.A.-based TriStar Pictures’ The Woman King to its slate of world premieres.

The film is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Old Guard), written by Dana Stevens (Fatherhood) and is based on a story created by Stevens and Maria Bello (NCIS).

The Woman King is inspired by the true events of the all-female unit of warriors, the Agojie, who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s.

The feature is produced by Cathy Schulman (The First Lady), Viola Davis (How To Get Away With Murder), and Julius Tennon (The First Lady), while Bello and Peter McAleese (See) are executive producers. It stars Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu (The Underground Railroad), Lashana Lynch (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness), Sheila Atim (The Underground Railroad), Hero Fiennes Tiffin (After We Collided) and John Boyega (Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens).

TIFF has announced its 47th annual edition lineup one film at a time so far, and has yet to announce its opening or closing titles. The festival, which will be running from Sept. 8 to 18, has announced five world premieres. These films are Clement Virgo’s Canadian drama Brother; British-born U.S. filmmaker Nicholas Stoller’s comedy feature film Bros; U.S. actor Sanaa Lathan’s directorial feature film debut, On the Come Up;  and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery sequel from Rian Johnson.

Image courtesy of TIFF