What to know
- Run Terry Run had its emotional TIFF 2026 world premiere at Roy Thomson Hall, followed by a celebration with Terry Fox’s family, friends, athletes and other attendees.
- Terry’s younger brother Darrell Fox said the film still feels like his first viewing, praising previously unseen footage that brought Terry’s voice and perspective back to life.
- The documentary took three years to uncover and restore old footage, with REDLAB Toronto and Frame Discreet helping preserve material that was nearly lost.
- Elevation Pictures’ Noah Segal, composer Thomas Caffey and others described the film as deeply moving, with Run Terry Run set for Canadian theatres on Oct. 9.
The world premiere of a Canadian legend may have been the perfect way to end off TIFF 2026, with many of Terry’s Fox’s own loved ones sharing their thoughts after watching the documentary.
Run Terry Run had its world premiere at the Roy Thomson Hall on Saturday, with many elites in attendance, including Terry’s own family, as well as multiple Olympic and pro athletes.
Following a tearful premiere, family, friends and some other exclusive attendees gathered at the Paris Texas bar on King Street to enjoy multiple finger foods, poutine, an open bar, photo opportunities, and even free iron on patches.
It was a stark contrast to what was an emotional screening, where the audience shared tears, and love for one of the most notable Canadians in history.
At the party just 10 minutes down the road, some of the same audience members were hugging, minging and laughing after a successful premiere.
One of the people in the crowd was Darell Fox himself, Terry’s younger brother who also made multiple appearances within the film.
For Darrell, it wasn’t the first time he watched the film, but it definitely felt like it.
“I think this is number five and it still feels like the first time,” Darrell explained. “That’s the impact and effect it has on me, because I could watch Terry forever.”
The film comes after three years of combing through footage of Terry, footage that was almost lost forever.
“To find this is like finding gold,” Darrell said. “To hear Terry’s words, to hear him speak, and there were a couple of clips in there of Terry sharing his thoughts about how he saw things and how he saw going through cancer. That was very powerful for me.”
The film is one that following Terry’s initial Marathon of Hope through outtakes of a 1981 documentary. It was special for Darrell and the rest of his family and friends who grew up with the icon.
“I have the most incredible gift that any person can be given. I’m Terry Fox’s brother, and every day I can say that,” Darrell shared.
He added that films like this are important to be shown to the youth as part of Terry’s legacy.
“They’re embracing it. They’re our future. They’re going to be the Terry Fox Run organisers going forward, taking care of Terry and making sure his dream never dies,” Darrell said.
As for Mark Stevens, the CEO of REDLAB Toronto, who helped bring the older footage back to life, the process was a long time coming.
“We’ve been involved for probably the last three years on the project,” Stevens said. “It was a long process finding those reels of film when Sean came to us.”
Along with video production company Frame Discreet, both companies worked for multiple years to see Terry on film that hasn’t been viewed before.
It was a process that was worth it for Stevens.
“It was very touching to be able to see Terry come back to life on our screen,” he said. “The fact of what he’s done to touch our country, the world, is bigger than anything, any festival, any screening, but seeing it with the family and with the foundation, it’s beautiful.”
Noah Segal, the president of Elevation Pictures, was on board with the film and picked it up for theatrical release in October.
“This is one of those great, rare examples where I got to see a film in [the] area [of] documentary, which is extremely hard to find commercial value with, and I was so moved by it,” Segal explained. “It’s a must-have… This was not a business move. It was an emotional move.”
The movie sat well with Segal, even hours after the screening.
“He was a lightning rod for humanity, of doing the right thing without politics,” he said.
Thomas Caffey was the composer on the film, selected by director Sean Menard himself.
The project was so emotional for Caffey, adding to the composing process.
“The music just flowed out; it really did,” he said. “This doesn’t happen very often, but because of the subject matter and because of such a great director, and knowing how much TIFF puts in and supports, especially this Canadian film, [it’s] just my honour.”
Caffey added that following the film, many of those in the audience approached him and told him how the music made the movie more emotional on top of the already heartbreaking history.
The party was filled with those of all ages, for one reason: Terry’s inspiration.
Run Terry Run releases in Canadian theatres on Oct. 9.
