Big screens, bigger stories—TIFF 2025 is rolling out film reels and flashing bulbs again. Today marks the 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, a milestone for a festival that has helped shape global cinema for decades. Since 1976, films like 'La La Land,' 'Belfast,' 'Jojo Rabbit' and '12 Years a Slave' have made waves here first. But TIFF has never been only about Hollywood. It has also helped shine a spotlight on films from across Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America, and made space for voices that don't always get big prominent exposure.

The 2025 TIFF programme features world premieres, Gala selections, Special Presentations, and more. Among the highlights in the Special Presentations slate are 'Franz,' 'The Lost Bus,' 'Rental Family' and 'Steal Away.' The six newly announced Galas include 'The Choral,' 'Homebound,' 'Hamnet,' 'A Private Life,' 'Roofman' and 'She Has No Name.' Much of the festival action centres around the TIFF Bell Lightbox, located a few streets south of Queen Street and just west of the CN Tower. The surrounding venues—Roy Thomson Hall, Scotiabank Theatre, and Princess of Wales Theatre—each add their own flavour to the festival mix.