Toronto’s film enthusiasts have plenty to celebrate as the Toronto International Film Festival announced its highly anticipated 2025 lineup yesterday. The festival, running September 4-14, will showcase a remarkable collection of premieres that reflect both global cinema and homegrown Canadian talent.
Leading the excitement is “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery Returns,” the third installment in Rian Johnson’s wildly successful whodunit franchise. Daniel Craig reprises his role as the eccentric detective Benoit Blanc, this time investigating a murder at a tech billionaire’s private island during a pandemic-era gathering. The film follows Johnson’s established pattern of assembling an impressive ensemble cast, with names being kept tightly under wraps until the official TIFF red carpet.
“The anticipation for this new Knives Out film is extraordinary,” says Cameron Bailey, TIFF’s Artistic Director. “Johnson’s ability to reinvent the murder mystery genre while maintaining its classic appeal speaks to Toronto audiences who have always embraced sophisticated storytelling.”
Perhaps most exciting for the local film community is acclaimed Toronto filmmaker Clement Virgo’s newest work, “Steal Away.” The historical thriller examines the underground railroad through the perspective of a young musician who uses coded songs to guide escaped slaves to freedom. The film represents Virgo’s return to TIFF following his success with “Brother,” which dominated the Canadian Screen Awards in 2023.
“Virgo continues to create powerful narratives that illuminate overlooked aspects of Black history,” notes film critic Radheyan Simonpillai from NOW Toronto. “His visual style combined with historical depth makes ‘Steal Away’ one of the most anticipated Canadian premieres.”
The festival will also feature “The Collapse,” directed by Denis Villeneuve. This environmental thriller, filmed partly in Northern Ontario, depicts a near-future world grappling with catastrophic climate change consequences. Villeneuve’s return to TIFF follows his recent success with science fiction epics and signals his interest in tackling pressing contemporary issues.
For documentary enthusiasts, “Toronto Rising” offers an intimate look at the city’s evolution from regional center to global metropolis. Director Jennifer Baichwal chronicles the architectural, cultural, and demographic transformation of Toronto over the past five decades through archival footage and interviews with urban planners, immigrants, and long-time residents.
The Ontario government has increased its support for this year’s festival, with the Ontario Film Commission contributing $3.2 million to TIFF’s operating budget and programming initiatives. This investment reflects the festival’s significant economic impact, which generated approximately $273 million for the provincial economy in 2024, according to Tourism Toronto.
“TIFF remains a cornerstone of Ontario’s cultural economy,” says Provincial Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Stephanie White. “The festival not only showcases our homegrown talent but attracts filmmakers and industry professionals from around the world to experience what Toronto has to offer.”
The festival’s economic footprint extends beyond ticket sales. Toronto’s hospitality sector sees a substantial boost during the ten-day event, with downtown hotels reporting near-capacity bookings and restaurants creating special festival-themed menus and extended hours. The Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons hotels are already fully booked for the festival’s opening weekend.
“TIFF season is like our Super Bowl,” explains James Rondeau, general manager of King Street’s Buca restaurant. “We typically see a 40% increase in revenue during the festival, with many international guests and industry executives hosting private events and dinners.”
This year’s TIFF will utilize additional venues, including the newly renovated Ontario Place Cinesphere for special IMAX presentations and outdoor screenings at Yonge-Dundas Square, making the festival more accessible to the public.
Industry insiders note that this year’s lineup balances commercial appeal with artistic integrity. “The programming team has curated a slate that offers something for every type of film lover,” observes Jesse Wente, former TIFF programmer and current chairperson of the Canada Council for the Arts. “From potential Oscar contenders to experimental works from emerging filmmakers, TIFF 2025 encompasses the full spectrum of cinema.”
Tickets for TIFF 2025 go on sale August 1st for members and August 10th for the general public. Festival organizers recommend early purchasing, as screenings for high-profile premieres typically sell out within hours.
As September approaches, Toronto prepares to once again transform into a global cinema capital, with hotels filling up, restaurants creating festival specials, and the iconic TIFF lightbox becoming the epicenter of film conversation. For ten days, our city will celebrate the magic of movies and the power of storytelling that continues to bring diverse audiences together.
