This year marks a golden milestone and a silver jubilee at the 海角社区官网International Film Festival: 50 years since TIFF first brightened Toronto鈥檚 screens and a quarter-century since the Star鈥檚 鈥淐hasing the Buzz鈥 poll began tracking the fest鈥檚 cinematic excitement.
For the 25th edition of our annual quest for the hottest films headed our way, we asked programmers, critics, film buffs and other in-the-know cin茅astes to give us their hot picks for the films screening Sept. 4 to 14.
A total of 53 features made the beehive hum this year. Topping the list are honorary Torontonian Guillermo del Toro鈥檚 tragic monster tale 鈥淔rankenstein鈥 and Joachim Trier鈥檚 family reckoning 鈥淪entimental Value,鈥 which took the Grand Prix at this year鈥檚 Cannes Film Festival.
Previous 鈥淐hasing the Buzz鈥 polls have offered early alerts to such eventual Oscar or Canadian Screen Award winners as 鈥淭he Shape of Water,鈥 鈥淎merican Fiction,鈥 鈥淣omadland,鈥 鈥淢oonlight鈥 and 鈥淏谤辞迟丑别谤.鈥
Our 34 panellists each named the TIFF-bound movie that most excites them, with a brief explanation of why. They also each chose what we call a wild-card film, no explanation given, to expand the selection and your minds.
Their picks include a historical drama that TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey describes as 鈥渙ne of the most beautiful films I saw all year,鈥 a genre-defying biopic that programmer Dorota Lech calls 鈥渁 masterful tour de force鈥 and a time-travelling comedy that podcast host Matt Rorabeck describes as 鈥渢he wildest and funniest film of the festival.鈥
We hope these will help you make excellent viewing choices, for the fest and beyond, from the 210 features screening at TIFF 50. Let the buzzing begin:
Movies with three votes听
Frankenstein (Guillermo del Toro)
Jacob Elordi stars as the monster in Guillermo del Toro鈥檚 鈥淔rankenstein.鈥澨
Netflix鈥淲hen I first heard Guillermo del Toro talking about wanting to make his version of Frankenstein, I was excited. That was 20 years ago. Now that the long wait is over, I’m still excited to see the classic story brought to life through del Toro’s unique lens.鈥 鈥 Richard Crouse, host of CTV鈥檚 鈥淧op Life鈥
鈥淚’m very excited to screen key-to-the-city recipient Guillermo del Toro’s dream production of 鈥楩rankenstein鈥 in a room full of the local artisans and technicians that helped bring this mega-production to life.鈥 鈥 Jason Gorber, movie columnist for CBC’s “Metro Morning”; editor-in-chief of website That Shelf
鈥淭he filmmaker behind 2017鈥檚 鈥楥hasing the Buzz鈥 poll winner (鈥楾he Shape of Water鈥) has found the ideal subject for his singular esthetic. Even if, as Wikipedia informs me, there are 413 films featuring Frankenstein鈥檚 monster.鈥 鈥 Jerry Nadarajah, movie lover
Sentimental Value (Joachim Trier)
Stellan Skarsg氓rd and Elle Fanning in Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value.”听
Courtesy of TIFF鈥溾楾he Worst Person in the World’ was one of my favourite films in 2021, so I have been eager to see the reunion of director Joachim Trier and star Renate Reinsve, especially since this Cannes award winner also boasts Stellan Skarsg氓rd and Elle Fanning in its cast.鈥 鈥 Hillary Butler, critic for website Live for Films
鈥淗umans are complicated. Relationships are tough. Trier and co-writer Eskil Vogt really get that none of us are perfect, and we have to work our way through all of that if we want to find our hearts.鈥 鈥 Karen Gordon, critic for website Original Cin听
鈥溾楾he Worst Person in the World鈥 director reunites with the captivating Renate Reinsve to emotionally devastate in this poignant showbiz family drama already generating awards buzz, particularly for the great Stellan Skarsg氓rd.鈥 鈥 Eric Marchen, host of Rogers TV’s “Cinema Seen”; co-host of “Untitled Movie Podcast”
From European avant-garde films to celeb-driven comedies, here are 10 buzzy films coming to the 海角社区官网International Film Festival (Aug. 29, 2025)
The Canadian PressMovies with two votes
Ballad of a Small Player (Edward Berger)
Colin Farrell in Edward Berger’s “Ballad of a Small Player.”听
Courtesy of TIFF鈥淗is last two films, 鈥楥onclave鈥 and 鈥楢ll Quiet on the Western Front,鈥 were among the best movies of the year, so the stakes are high for Edward Berger’s latest, a psychological thriller starring Colin Farrell as a gambler forced to confront his past and mounting debts.鈥 鈥 Rachel West, associate editor and senior critic for That Shelf
The other vote for 鈥淏allad of a Small Player鈥 is a wild card pick.
Hamnet (Chlo茅 Zhao)
鈥淚鈥檓 excited for 鈥楬amnet,鈥 based on Maggie O鈥橣arrell鈥檚 amazing book, which I loved. In the hands of Chlo茅 Zhao and with a stellar cast, it鈥檚 very high on my list. 鈥 Mich猫le Maheux, former TIFF executive director
鈥淚 will see everything that Jessie Buckley stars in. She鈥檚 teamed here with director Chlo茅 Zhao and co-star Paul Mescal. I have no doubt this will be at the top of many year-end lists.鈥 鈥 Teri Hart, contributor to Super Channel and CBC’s “Commotion”
Hedda (Nia DaCosta)
Both votes for 鈥淗edda鈥 are wild card picks.
Hen (Gy枚rgy P谩lfi)
Both votes for 鈥淗en鈥 are wild card picks.
Mile End Kicks (Chandler Levack)
Devon Bostick and Barbie Ferreira in Chandler Levack’s “Mile End Kicks.”听
Courtesy of TIFF鈥淚 truly enjoyed Chandler’s first feature, 鈥業 Like Movies,鈥 and I am really looking forward to this one both because she directed it and because of the milieu: the 鈥90s music scene in Montreal.鈥 鈥 Steve Gravestock, former TIFF programmer
The other vote for 鈥淢ile End Kicks鈥 is a wild card pick.
Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie (Matt Johnson)
Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol in Johnson’s “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie.”听
Courtesy of TIFF鈥淛ohnson follows up his award-winning 鈥楤lackBerry鈥 with a return to his roots in what should be the wildest and funniest film of the festival. Even if you鈥檝e never seen the series, do not miss this.鈥 鈥 Matt Rorabeck, co-host of “Untitled Movie Podcast”
The other vote for 鈥淣irvanna the Band the Show the Movie鈥 is a wild card pick.
No Other Choice (Park Chan-wook)
鈥淗onestly, I鈥檝e got no other choice but to line up for a chance to see another tale from Park Chan-wook, one of cinema鈥檚 true masters of the twisted, darkly humorous side of humanity.鈥 鈥 R.T. Thorne, filmmaker, 鈥40 Acres鈥
鈥淐han-wook, with co-writer Don McKellar, takes a swing at adapting Donald E. Westlake鈥檚 dark satire ‘The Ax,’ about a jobseeker permanently eliminating his more qualified rivals. It gives the term 鈥榗utthroat competition鈥 new meaning.鈥 鈥 Thom Ernst, film critic for Original Cin
Nouvelle Vague (Richard Linklater)
Aubry Dullin and Zoey Deutch in Richard Linklater’s “Nouvelle Vague.”听
Courtesy of TIFF鈥淚’ll watch anything Richard Linklater directs. Though I would have not expected a film shot entirely in French, in black and white, about the French New Wave movement! Excuse me while I rush off to rewatch 鈥楤reathless鈥!鈥 鈥 Astrid Lange, library and research specialist for the 海角社区官网Star
鈥淩ichard Linklater, one of my favourite filmmakers, has two films in the festival this year, but my money is on 鈥楴ouvelle Vague,鈥 a stunning B&W dramatization of the making of Jean-Luc Godard鈥檚 groundbreaking 1960 film 鈥楤reathless.鈥欌 鈥 Bonnie Laufer, film critic for “CH Morning Live” and Original Cin
Nuestra Tierra (Lucrecia Martel)
鈥淢artel鈥檚 stunning documentary plunges the audience into the thick of a murder investigation: colonial racism is on full display in the courtroom and out as an Indigenous community pursues justice for the murder of their leader, Javier Chocobar, killed while trying to prevent the theft of Chuschagasta community lands.鈥 鈥 B. Ruby Rich, independent critic and former TIFF programmer
The other vote for 鈥淣uestra Tierra鈥 was a wild card pick.
Palimpsest: The Story of a Name (Mary Stephen)
Both votes for 鈥淧alimpsest: The Story of a Name鈥 are wild card picks.
Steal Away (Clement Virgo)
Mallori Johnson and Angourie Rice in Clement Virgo’s “Steal Away.”听
Courtesy of TIFF鈥淐lement Virgo directs a sexy provocative thriller, with a screenplay from Tamara Faith Berger, the same collaboration that brought the erotic drama 鈥楲ie With Me鈥 to TIFF in 2005.鈥 鈥 Angela Cave, festival buff since 1999
“Virgo returns to TIFF with an opulent psychological thriller exploring race, desire and the insidious systems that allow people to turn a blind eye to the horrors in their midst.鈥 鈥 Victor Stiff, senior critic for That Shelf
While the Green Grass Grows: A Diary in Seven Parts (Peter Mettler)
A scene from Peter Mettler’s “Where the Green Grass Grows: A Diary in Seven Parts.”听
Courtesy of TIFF鈥淵ears in gestation, this magnum opus from Peter Mettler, one of our most individual, poetic and inquiring filmmakers, who also shot the gorgeous imagery, promises to be a probing, reflective reverie full of questions on our puzzling and contentious relationship to the natural world that also traverses deeper existential questions, prompted by aging parents, around life, death and memory. 鈥 Piers Handling, former TIFF CEO
鈥淎 gorgeously made physical and metaphysical journey by Canadian maverick director Peter Mettler that tackles life and death issues with style and care 鈥 in a mere seven glorious hours.鈥 鈥 Marc Glassman, editor of POV magazine and critic for the New Classical 96.3 FM
As TIFF marks its 50th edition next week, the Canadian lineup showcases both veteran filmmakers and fresh voices. Here are five homegrown titles to watch for. (Aug. 30, 2025)
The Canadian PressMovies with one vote
Dinner With Friends (Sasha Leigh Henry)
鈥淓xploring the complexities and shifting nature of adult friendships, Henry鈥檚 long-awaited feature debut is given millennial 鈥楤ig Chill鈥 vibes in the best possible way.鈥 鈥 Courtney Small, critic and curator for Black Canadian Film
Dry Leaf (Aleksandre Koberidze)
鈥淜oberidze鈥檚 three-hour oddity is intentionally murky, shot on an ancient phone and nature-bound. It鈥檚 risky, but wow, the nerve!鈥 鈥 Anne Brodie, critic for podcast “What She Said”
The Eyes of Ghana (Ben Proudfoot)
鈥淧roudfoot is an immense talent and has two Oscars to back it up. He鈥檚 leading Canada鈥檚 next wave of great filmmakers.鈥 鈥 Vincent Georgie, executive director and chief programmer, Windsor International Film Festival
Franz (Agnieszka Holland)
鈥淭oggling between Franz Kafka鈥檚 rich yet fleeting life (1883-1924) and the present day, where in a docu-like manner we see how his name is used to sell everything from hamburgers to key chains 鈥 a Kafkaesque turn of events if there ever was one 鈥 the latest from Holland is a masterful tour de force.鈥 鈥 Dorota Lech, lead programmer for TIFF
Girl (Shu Qi)
A scene from Shu Qi’s “Girl.”听
Courtesy of TIFF鈥淚nspired by Hsiao-Hsien Hou, Taiwanese screen goddess Shu Qi’s directorial debut will be in competition at this year鈥檚 Venice Film Festival. The world of a troubled teenager who must decide to submit or to rebel is presented in the director’s unique cinematic vision.鈥 鈥 Alice Shih, critic for Fairchild Radio
Kokuho (Lee Sang-il)
鈥淥ne of the most beautiful films I saw all year, and a reminder of the transcendent power of art.鈥 鈥 Cameron Bailey, TIFF CEO
A Life Illuminated (Tasha Van Zandt)
鈥淭he pioneering marine biologist Dr. Edie Widder takes us to the ocean depths to witness the phenomenon of organisms that create their own light through bioluminescence.鈥 鈥 Thom Powers, TIFF documentaries programmer听
Modern Whore (Nicole Bazuin)
鈥淏azuin鈥檚 feature debut delivers a bold and entertaining take on society鈥檚 perceptions and misconceptions about sex work. A provocative and timely film from an impressive Canadian filmmaking team.鈥 鈥 Ashleigh Rains, director, Canadian Film Fest
Sink (Zain Duraie)
“Inspired in part by Xavier Dolan鈥檚 鈥楳ommy,鈥 Jordanian filmmaker Zain Duraie brings a sensitive yet unflinching eye to her debut feature, which follows a mother trying to navigate her son’s mental health amid family tensions.鈥 鈥 Sherry Coman, critic for Journal of Religion & Film听
The Tale of Silyan (Tamara Kotevska)
After capturing bees in Oscar nominee 鈥淗oneyland,鈥 Kotevska soars even higher with this gorgeously shot doc about storks in Macedonia and farmers intimately linked to their fates. 鈥 Pat Mullen, publisher of POV magazine听
Uiksaringitara (Wrong Husband) (Zacharias Kunuk)
A scene from Zacharias Kunuk鈥檚 “Wrong Husband.”听
Courtesy of TIFF鈥淭wenty-five years ago, Zacharias Kunuk鈥檚 鈥楢tanarjuat: The Fast Runner鈥 changed the Canadian film landscape, its impact still felt today. Kunuk’s latest film not only reinforces the importance of his legacy, it has the potential to shake up the next generation’s understanding of and approach to storytelling.鈥 鈥 Judy Lung, vice-president of strategy, communications and stakeholder relations for TIFF听
The Voice of Hind Rajab (Kaouther Ben Hania)
鈥淐annes prize winner and Oscar-nominated filmmaker brings to life a five-year-old girl’s call for help, trapped in her family鈥檚 car, under fire from IDF in Gaza.鈥 鈥 Greg Cruse, cinephile and TIFF attendee since 1992
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (Rian Johnson)
鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to seeing this third chapter of the 鈥楰nives Out鈥 franchise. I enjoyed the previous two films and it appears Rian Johnson wants to take this new instalment in a different direction that will hopefully surprise us even more. Also, that cast is tremendous. I鈥檓 sure they鈥檙e going to have a great time with the material and hopefully that sense of fun will transfer over to the audience.鈥 鈥 Matt Neglia, editor-in-chief of website Next Best Picture
Youngblood (Hubert Davis)
鈥淲ith a triple hat-trick of CFC alumni, 鈥榊oungblood鈥 has inspired me to actually learn about hockey.鈥 鈥 maxine bailey, executive director, Canadian Film Centre听
The remaining one-vote films, all wild card picks, are:
鈥 鈥& Sons鈥 (Pablo Trapero)
鈥 鈥100 Sunset鈥 (Kunsang Kyirong)
鈥 鈥淭he Balloonists鈥 (John Dower)
鈥 鈥淏lood Lines鈥 (Gail Maurice)
鈥 鈥淭he Cost of Heaven鈥 (Mathieu Denis)
鈥 鈥淒egrassi: Whatever It Takes鈥 (Lisa Rideout)
鈥 鈥淓leanor the Great鈥 (Scarlett Johansson)
鈥 鈥淭he Fence鈥 (Claire Denis)
鈥 鈥淭he Furious鈥 (Kenji Tanigaki)
鈥 鈥淕lenrothan鈥 (Brian Cox)
鈥 鈥淛ohn Candy: I Like Me鈥 (Colin Hanks)
鈥 鈥淭he Last Viking鈥 (Anders Thomas Jensen)
鈥 鈥淟ittle Lorraine鈥 (Andy Hines)
鈥 鈥淢are鈥檚 Nest鈥 (Ben Rivers)
鈥 鈥淢emory of Princess Mumbi鈥 (Damien Hauser)
鈥 鈥淢y Father鈥檚 Shadow鈥 (Akinola Davies Jr.)
鈥 鈥淣ika & Madison鈥 (Eva Thomas)
鈥 鈥淧alestine 36鈥 (Annemarie Jacir)
鈥 鈥淪carlet鈥 (Mamoru Hosoda)
鈥 鈥淪ilent Friend鈥 (Ildik贸 Enyedi)
鈥 鈥淭he Smashing Machine鈥 (Benny Safdie)
鈥 鈥淪pace Cadet鈥 (Kid Koala)
鈥 鈥淪till Single鈥 (Jamal Burger, Jukan Tateisi)
鈥 鈥淭he Testament of Ann Lee鈥 (Mona Fastvold)
鈥 鈥淎 Useful Ghost鈥 (Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke)
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