TIFF Unveils Star-Powered Conversations and Cultural Celebrations for 50th Anniversary Festival

The Toronto International Film Festival has unveiled a slate of programming that reaches far beyond the cinema, offering audiences a deeper look at the global entertainment industry’s cultural impact. The milestone 50th edition, presented by Rogers and running September 4–14, 2025, will host an array of marquee conversations, special events, and community celebrations designed to spark dialogue, challenge perspectives, and foster creative connections.

Headlining this year’s In Conversation With… (ICW) series are five dynamic, internationally acclaimed talents: director Park Chan-wook, global superstar Dwayne Johnson, Canadian icon Ryan Reynolds, and actor-producer Tessa Thompson alongside filmmaker Nia DaCosta. Each will share candid insights into their careers, creative processes, and the personal journeys that have shaped their work.

Park Chan-wook, whose striking visual style and genre-defying storytelling have made him one of modern cinema’s most revered auteurs, will appear in conversation with Don McKellar to discuss his career and their new collaboration No Other Choice. Dwayne Johnson will take audiences from his early days in the wrestling ring to his work as an actor, producer, and creative partner on the upcoming MMA drama The Smashing Machine. Ryan Reynolds, fresh off his role as producer for TIFF’s Opening Night Gala film John Candy: I Like Me, will reflect on his Canadian roots, his company Maximum Effort, and the lasting influence of John Candy. Thompson and DaCosta will pull back the curtain on their bold reimagining of Hedda Gabler and explore the creative risks and rewards of their collaboration on Hedda.

For younger audiences, TIFF Next Wave will debut its inaugural Close-Up event, featuring Korean rising stars Han So-hee and Jun Jong-seo, co-stars of Lee Hwan’s Project Y. Geared toward TIFF’s Under-25 crowd, the conversation will explore their friendship, their creative partnership, and their work across film and K-pop music videos, including Seven by Jung Kook and Derre by Bibi.

Community-focused programming will also take center stage. The Black Excellence Brunch, now in its third year, will return as an invite-only gathering at RBC House (Petros82). Presented by RBC and supported by the Jamaica Tourist Board, the brunch will celebrate the Black creative community while marking the 30th anniversary of Planet Africa, the groundbreaking TIFF programme founded by Cameron Bailey in 1995.

Meanwhile, the Criterion Mobile Closet will make its Canadian debut during Festival Street (September 4–7). Visitors can browse an impressive collection of 1,700 films, create their own Closet video, and shop a curated selection of Criterion titles and merchandise at the TIFF Shop. Additional Festival Street activations will be announced in the coming weeks.

“As we mark TIFF’s 50th edition, our programming continues to reflect our belief that film and creative expression can spark dialogue, challenge perspectives, and build connection,” said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer at TIFF. “From intimate ICWs and a Close-Up event with today’s biggest stars to celebrations of creative communities, we’re proud to offer Festivalgoers opportunities to further engage.”

With a blend of global star power, community celebration, and interactive experiences, TIFF’s 50th anniversary promises to be more than just a film festival—it’s a cultural event designed to honor the past, celebrate the present, and inspire the future.