What to know
- TIFF 2026 officially kicks off Sept. 10, with the festival running through Sept. 20 across Toronto.
- Red carpets are scheduled throughout the day, with stars including Jodie Comer, Sebastian Stan, Naomi Watts and Dylan O’Brien expected at various premieres.
- Opening-day screenings include Stuffed, Being Heumann, Rapinoe, The Housewife, Fjord, Below and In the Heart of the South.
- There are also free and late-night options, including City Lights at David Pecaut Square and River as part of Midnight Madness.
- Toronto is expected to see a high of 26 C with increasing cloudiness and wind gusts, but no rain is currently forecast.
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has finally kicked off, with the first day of the festival bringing some well-known faces and highly-anticipated films to the city.
The 51st edition of TIFF is finally here, taking place from Sept. 10–20 at Toronto’s Entertainment District.
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To help festival goers make the most out of their first day of TIFF, Now Toronto has compiled a guide on all they need to know about the first day of the festival.
Red carpets
For many festival goers, TIFF is not only an opportunity to enjoy screenings and engage in movie culture, but also to spot some of their favourite celebrities.
Here are the main red carpets happening at the festival today, and which talent is expected to attend them.
Stuffed
Location: Royal Alexandra Theatre
Time: Screening at 5:30 p.m., red carpet around 3:30 p.m.
The world premiere of U.K. romantic musical Stuffed at 5:30 p.m. is expected to bring some talent to the festival. Some anticipated names include:
- Jodie Comer
- Harry Melling
- Theo Rhys (director)
Rapinoe
Location: TIFF Lightbox
Time: Screening at 6:30 p.m., red carpet at 5:40 p.m.
There’s also something for the sports lovers today at the festival, with a documentary on American soccer player Megan Rapinoe premiering today. A red carpet for the screening is expected to include Rapinoe herself and director Rebeca Huntt.
Being Heumann
Location: Roy Thompson Hall
Time: Screening at 8 p.m., red carpet around 6 p.m.
With the world premiere of Being Heumann taking place this Thursday at 6 p.m., some of the film’s stellar talent is expected to walk the red carpet at Roy Thompson Hall for the screening.
Some of the names involved in the film who could come to the red carpet include:
- Ruth Madeley
- Dylan O’Brien
- Madeline Delp
- Daniel Durant
- Ray Fisher
- Siân Heder (director)
- Fan Bingbing (special guest)
Oscar-nominated actor Mark Ruffalo is also part of the film’s cast, but is currently not expected to attend.
The Housewife
Location: Royal Alexandra Theatre
Time: screening at 8:45 p.m., red carpet at 6:45 p.m.
Another major world premier taking place at the festival on Thursday is the psychological historical drama The Housewife, with some of the film’s starring talent also coming to the red carpet, including:
- Naomi Watts
- Tye Sheridan
- Michael Imperioli
- Luke Evans
- Ben Shirinian (director)
Fjord
Location: Princess of Wales Theatre
Time: Screening at 9:30 p.m., red carpet at around 8 p.m.
Eastern European drama Fjord is expected to make its Canadian debut on Thursday, also bringing some highly-anticipated talent to the festival, including Romanian-American actor Sebastian Stan and award-winning director Cristian Mungiu.
In the Heart of the South and Below
Location: TIFF Lightbox
Time: Screenings at 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Canadian psychological thriller In the Heart of the South and mystery film Below both make their world premieres at TIFF on Thursday, spotlighting some of the country’s best talent. Spectators will see talent for both films at a double red carpet, including:
- Anna Lambe
- Nyla Innuksuk (director)
- Josh Hartnett
- Charlie Heaton
- Mackenzie Davis
- Ruby Stokes
- Willow Kean
- Mary Walsh
- Jamie Childs (director)
- Jesse McKeown (showrunner)
Screenings
Several incredible screenings are kicking off the festival, with a different film for every taste. Some of today’s highlights include:
- Stuffed at Royal Alexandra Theatre at 5:30 p.m.
- Being Heumann at:
- VISA Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre at 6 p.m.
- Roy Thomson Hall at 8 p.m.
- Rapinoe at TIFF Lightbox at 6:30 p.m.
- Everything Else is Noise at TIFF Lightbox at 8:30 p.m.
- The Housewife at Royal Alexandra Theatre at 8:45 p.m.
- In the Heart of the South at TIFF Lightbox at 9 p.m.
- Below at TIFF Lightbox at 9:30 p.m.
- Fjord at Scotiabank Theatre at 9:30 p.m.
- City Lights at Cinema Park at David Pecaut Square at 10 p.m. (free drop-in)
- River at Royal Alexandra Theatre at 11:59 p.m. (Midnight Madness)
Weather
The weather seems to be contributing to a great first day of TIFF, with clear skies expected throughout the day.
Increasing cloudiness is expected near noon, as well as 30 km/h to 50 km/h windgusts, but no forecasted rain. A high of 26ºC during the day with humidity making it feel like 29 and a low of 10ºC at night is expected.
