TIFF’s Golden Anniversary: A Landmark Celebration of Global Cinema in 2025

A Historic Milestone for Toronto’s Premier Film Event

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is preparing for a momentous celebration as it turns 50, with the city’s beloved film festival running from September 4-14, 2025.

The milestone edition will showcase an impressive lineup of 291 films, comprising 209 features, 6 Classics, 10 Primetime selections, and 66 shorts. To commemorate the festival’s 50th anniversary, organizers have programmed a special series titled ‘The TIFF Story in 50 Films,’ highlighting significant films that have shaped the festival’s vision and established its position as a global platform and tastemaker.

Programming Highlights and Special Presentations

The festival will open with ‘John Candy: I Like Me,’ a documentary by Colin Hanks about the beloved actor John Candy. Notable world premieres include Alejandro Amenábar’s ‘The Captive,’ Steven Soderbergh’s ‘The Christophers,’ Sung-hyun Byun’s ‘Good News,’ Nia DaCosta’s ‘Hedda,’ and Chandler Levack’s ‘Mile End Kicks’ – representing productions from Canada, Spain/Italy, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Enhanced Festival Experience

Screenings will take place across multiple venues including TIFF Lightbox, Roy Thomson Hall, and the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Beyond film screenings, the festival will feature live post-screening Q&As, the In Conversation With… series, an Industry Conference, and the popular Festival Street, which transforms King Street West into a vibrant celebration of cinema during opening weekend.

This anniversary edition introduces two new awards: the International People’s Choice award for the most popular film from outside North America, and a juried award for Best Animated Short Film. The festival continues to be a significant cultural and economic force, generating an estimated annual economic impact of $240 million CAD.