TIFF 2026: MY 5 MOST ANTICIPATED FILMS

The 51st Annual Toronto International Film Festival is set to begin on September 10th, 2026 and run until September 20th, 2o26. The third major fall film festival to kick off the season, Toronto has always been known as the people's festival.

With 293 titles playing at this year's festival, TIFF shares the best of Canadian and International film with its fans. The festival works hard to provide early access to the year's most notable titles in film. A place where all cinephiles can come together to share their love of film.

With this being my sixth year attending the festival, and a plethora of films to choose from, I have been trying to narrow down my must-watch films at TIFF 2026. I think I have finally decided on my top 5 anticipated films at this year's Toronto International Film Festival.

THE DEBUT

Of course, I have to include Jesse Eisenberg's newest film, The Debut. Starring Julianne Moore as an everyday housewife looking for more out of life, The Debut follows Moore as she joins a community theatre group. Here she meets the ruthless theatre director played by Paul Giamatti. A dynamic duo, I have no doubt these two will have me laughing and crying in tandem.

Eisenberg and Moore are once again teaming up since Eisenberg's first film, When You Finish Saving the World. I am also incredible intriged that the film is a musical, and Eisenberg had a hand in written 1o songs.

As a former theatre kid, I just know this one will connect with me on an emotional level. I can not wait for the chance to watch this film at TIFF.

A Long Winter

After being emotionally devastated by director Andrew Haigh's last film, All of Us Strangers, I will be set for any of his future projects. A Long Winter is a coming-of-age story about emerging sexuality and growing up without a parent.

The film was shot in the Canadian Rockies, giving the project a gruelling yet beautiful atmosphere to play off of. This emotional turmoil is also reflected in the relationship between our protagonist, Mike (Fred Hechinger), and his ageing father (Ebon Moss-Bachrach).

I always know Haigh will take me on a compelling journey through his filmography, so I am looking forward to seeing A Long Winter.

THE FACE OF HORROR

This is a Midnight Madness screening I am dying for a ticket to. The tagline alone has me intrigued. A famous Japanese ghost story set in 14th-century England, but it is also a tribute to technicolour horror. Sign me up!

Directed by Anne Biller, who famously crafted The Love Witch, one of my favourite cult classics, I am excited to see what new she has up her sleeve. With a cast of working actors like Jonah Hauer-King, Kristine Froseth, and Bella Heathcote, I look forward to seeing how they all work together as an ensemble.

I love elevated horror, and I think having Japanese mythology is going to be a unique perspective to add to the genre. I already know the visuals will be unforgettable.

LA BOLA NEGRA

Since the Cannes International Film Festival, I have been excited to see the new film from the duo of directors Los Javis, ex-boyfriends Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo. Following three converging stories, La Bola Negra examines identity and sexuality.

The film has big star pull with Penélope Cruz and Glenn Close in supporting roles. Guitarricadelafente is a famous singer from Barcelona, and he stars as one of the film's main protagonists. Also part of the cast is Lola Duenas, who has won Best Actress at the Goya Awards, the equivalent of the Spanish Oscars, and at Cannes. A strong cast indeed, so I'm hoping the film will surprise me.

YOUR MOTHER YOUR MOTHER YOUR MOTHER

My personal wild card for the festival season, Mahershala Ali teams up with writer-director Bassam Tariq to bring us a fresh action film. After their Blade film was announced and cancelled by Disney Marvel, Ali and Bassam used the skills learned for that project to create Your Mother.

Ali plays a Muslim man, deeply devoted to his family and a contract killer. Intangled in an escalating feud, Ali must find a way to escape the business so he can take care of his children.

Ali picks and chooses his projects; let's not forget he is an Academy Award Winner, so I know Bassam's screenplay has to be strong. I am looking forward to seeing Ali's swordplay and seeing him in an action-heavy role. Your Mother will be a TIFF World Premiere, so my fingers are crossed that Toronto reacts favourably to its raw storytelling.

If you want to know more about TIFF's lineup, check their schedule. I will be on Festival Street for all 10 days of the festival. If you are interested in my coverage of the festival, reviews will be featured here on TheAwardsGarage.com, and fingers crossed, Gerald and I will be doing a TIFF awards update video with Gerald on The Awards Garage's YouTube page. If you want more coverage of TIFF, check out my YouTube page, TheWillowSteele and my social media @willowdsteele for daily updates of the festival.