After two years of subdued festivities, the Toronto International Film Festival returns with theaters at full capacity and more than 200 feature films aiming to stand out in the race for Hollywood awards.
Oprah Winfrey, Taylor Swift, Steven Spielberg and Lee Jung-jae are among the stars set to appear on the red carpets.
Tickets for the screenings, which unlike other major film festivals are open to the general public, sold out within minutes.
Several films will have their world premieres during the 11-day festival, a launch pad for Oscar contenders known as TIFF.
“A lot of the movies you see at TIFF are the movies that will be talked about throughout Oscar season and for many months to come,” said Christian Blauvelt, executive editor of IndieWire.
Viola Davis stars in The female kingthe story of Agojie, the 18th century female warrior unit of the West African kingdom of Dahomey.
“It’s the role she (Viola) has been looking for her entire career,” Blauvelt said.
“It’s something unique. Fictional versions of this have appeared in the past, such as Black Pantherbut that’s the real story.
Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical film The Fabelmans will also make its Toronto debut, alongside the musical biopic Bizarre: the story of Al Yankovicwith Daniel Radcliffe as musician.
After Glass onion: a mystery at loggerheadsstarring Daniel Craig, is expected to draw crowds despite Craig’s absence at the premiere.
Swift will appear to talk about her 10-minute music video Too good: a short film.
Tickets for the event sold out within minutes, with some reselling online for $3,400.
The Swimmers festival opener, directed by Sally El Hosaini, traces Yusra and Sara Mardani’s journey from war-torn Damascus to Germany and then to the Rio Olympics in 2016.
After two years of COVID-19 related closures, Toronto’s hospitality industry is ready to welcome people back. The festival held largely online viewings in 2020 at the height of the pandemic and last year offered a mix of online and limited in-person screenings.
“This is not only the first time that TIFF has returned after a two-year hiatus, it is also the first time in two years that summer is coming to an end and the hospitality industry is still open. “, said Jeffrey Feldman, public relations and director of events at Marble Group.
“We are a growing and bustling city and we are built to entertain and welcome the world.”