What to know
- TIFF has unveiled its first Gala and Special Presentations for the 2026 festival, featuring films from more than 30 countries.
- The initial lineup includes highly anticipated documentaries on Chrissie Hynde, BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Terry Fox and Rick Hansen.
- Oscar-winning filmmakers Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi also return with a new Everest documentary.
- Here’s why these five documentaries should be on your TIFF watchlist.
The 51st Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is just around the corner, and this year’s lineup is already shaping up to be one of the festival’s biggest yet.
Alongside its star-studded premieres, the 2026 program features a strong lineup of documentaries spotlighting music icons, athletes, activists and extraordinary real-life journeys.
From rock legends and K-pop superstars to Canadian heroes and daring Everest expeditions, here are five documentaries announced so far.
Run Terry Run
Director: Sean Menard
Canadian filmmaker Sean Menard revisits Terry Fox’s remarkable Marathon of Hope through never-before-seen footage in Run Terry Run. The documentary offers a closer look at the determination, sacrifice and resilience behind Fox’s cross-country run that forever changed cancer research fundraising in Canada.
Pretenders
Director: Joss Crowley
Pretenders traces rock icon Chrissie Hynde’s career from the formation of the influential band to her lasting impact on rock music. Featuring new interviews with Hynde alongside rare archival footage, the film explores the life and legacy of one of music’s most distinctive voices.
Always Lalisa
Director: Sue Kim
BLACKPINK star Lisa steps into the spotlight in Always Lalisa, an intimate documentary following her rise from a young performer in Thailand to becoming one of the biggest names in global pop. The film offers a behind-the-scenes look at her evolution as an artist.
Everest: The Other Side
Directors: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin
Everest: The Other Side follows climber Ben Clark’s attempt to summit Mount Everest, capturing both the physical demands of the journey and the deeply personal stories that unfold in one of the world’s most dangerous environments.
Man in Motion: The Rick Hansen Story
Director: Adrian Buitenhuis
Man in Motion: The Rick Hansen Story chronicles the extraordinary life of Canadian athlete and accessibility advocate Rick Hansen. Looking back at his 26-month, 40,000-kilometre wheelchair journey around the world, the documentary explores how his historic Man In Motion World Tour helped reshape conversations around disability and accessibility.
