North America’s largest film festival, the Toronto International Film Festival, has revealed a star-studded lineup of world premieres, featuring renowned actors Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Seth Rogen.
Despite ongoing Hollywood strikes, TIFF is forging ahead with its September 7 to 17 event, aiming to be a launchpad for potential Oscar-winning movies.
The Screen Actors Guild is currently on strike over pay and work conditions, which has led to doubts about whether big-name actors would be able to promote their films at the festival.
However, there is hope for an “interim agreement” that could allow actors to support independent features at TIFF.
Among the anticipated award contenders set to premiere at TIFF are ‘Dumb Money,’ starring Seth Rogen and Paul Dano, a film exploring the GameStop phenomenon of 2021, and Tony Goldwyn’s ‘Ezra,’ featuring Robert De Niro and Bobby Cannavale in a story about rebuilding after career and marital setbacks.
Other premieres include Taika Waititi’s sports comedy ‘Next Goal Wins,’ French filmmaker Ladj Ly’s drama ‘Les Indesirables,’ Atom Egoyan’s ‘Seven Veils’ starring Amanda Seyfried, and Michael Keaton’s ‘Knox Goes Away,’ featuring Al Pacino.
TIFF CEO, Cameron Bailey praised the lineup as a “rich tapestry of talent, vision, and storytelling.”
The festival’s prestigious People’s Choice Award has often predicted best picture winners at the Oscars, such as ‘Nomadland’ in 2021 and ‘Green Book.’
As a vital component of the fall festival circuit, alongside Venice and Telluride, TIFF plays a crucial role in shaping the early Oscars race, offering lavish premieres and high-profile showcases for aspiring award-winning films.
After navigating through challenging times during the pandemic, TIFF returned to full strength in 2022, further solidifying its status as a leading film festival in the industry.
