Female Film Critics 24/375
“Let’s start with Canada, because I think this is really going to be the year for us. It’s exciting to see what Canada has contributed to comedy, first of all — we’re opening with the John Candy movie, I Like Me, and I love that it’s produced by a Canadian, Ryan Reynolds and directed by Colin Hanks, an American. It has people from both sides of the border who are all telling stories and all co-creating.”
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There’s a lot to celebrate as the The Toronto International Film Festival marks its 50th year. every year it’s a massive undertaking, which is maybe why TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey, 61, is disinclined to rest on his laurels. In a recent interview, Bailey was happy to talk about the superb line-up of films for TIFF 50, but he was already looking forward — to potential record-setting attendance figures at TIFF this year, as with last year, now that the festival has finally got past the pandemic years and the writers and actors’ strike. And then there’s the launch of the 2026 TIFF content market to think about.
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Directorial debuts from Scarlett Johansson, Shu Qi, Maude Apatow and Alice Winocour, the latest films from Academy Award winners Chloé Zhao and Laura Poitras, and new movies from Oscar nominee Agnieszka Holland, Nia DaCosta, Isabel Coixet, Claire Denis and more are on the high-profile slate for the 50th anniversary Toronto International Film Festival in September.
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As the Toronto International Film Festival gears up to celebrate its landmark 50th edition this year, women filmmakers are once again stepping into the spotlight and bringing some of the year’s most anticipated stories with them. TIFF may still have ground to cover when it comes to gender parity, but that hasn’t stopped an impressive wave of women-led films from breaking through in recent years – from bold debuts to powerhouse returns by award-winning directors – and hopes are high for this year’s festival to do the same. Whether you’re after breakout indie gems or festival heavyweights, this year’s lineup showcases women who are shaping the cinematic conversation in 2025.
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Bigelow’s back, Zhao tackles Shakespeare, and More as the fall film festivals unveil their lineups. The fall film festival season kicks off on the Lido in Venice in less than a month, then rolls on from the mountains of Telluride to Toronto, and beyond. This year promises a strong showing from female directors across many lineups. Here are just a few of the exciting films to keep your eyes on!
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The 12th Annual Canadian Screen Awards are announced at a televised Awards Ceremony gala broadcast on the CBC, as the culmination of Canadian Screen Week, which began on May 28th. The kudos have been largely ignored by an American awards press that is already reading the tea leaves of 2025 following the announcement of the prestigious Palme D’Or awarded to American Sean Baker’s Anora at the Cannes Film Festival. It seems like a bit of an oversight, eh? To put this in context, the Toronto International Film Festival, held yearly in September, has become a launch point for the awards season, and a major stop for movies seeking Oscar buzz. How do the Canadian Screen Awards fit into the picture?
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Patricia Rozema, part of the Toronto New Wave of the 1980s and early 1990s, has been a force in filmmaking since her debut feature, I’ve Heard The Mermaids Singing, earned her immediate recognition. It was the first English-language Canadian film to win a prize at the Cannes Film Festival ― the Prix de la jeunesse in 1987 — and more than 35 years later, it is still regarded as one of the best Canadian movies extant. During the month of March the Toronto International Film Festival is honoring Rozema with a special film series. The trailblazing filmmaker — currently inspiring the next generation of filmmakers at UCLA’s School of Theater, Film & Television — is also being honored in L.A. and New York. We caught up with Rozema recently to talk about the TIFF series.
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International Women’s Day is March 8th, and the Toronto International Film Festival will devote the entire month to celebrating women in cinema. As part of TIFF’s ongoing Share Her Journey initiative, which champions women storytellers, March events will include special screenings, guests and events, with a spotlight on the films of beloved Canadian filmmaker Patricia Rozema and a series devoted to 1980s punk girl features. Guests at TIFF Lightbox include filmmakers Rozema, Liv McNeil and Meredith Hama-Brown.
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Judy Lung is a mensch and a mentor, always an oasis of calm and meticulous organization in what can be a frenetic industry. She is highly respected by the media and well-known as an ally to the press in Toronto and across Canada, and her recent appointment at TIFF was cause for celebration among reporters. As she takes her place in the important cultural institution that is the Toronto International Film Festival, it’s time to spread the word outside Canada and introduce Lung to an international audience.
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In the midst of a mostly lacklustre year for movies, TIFF has announced a stellar lineup of Galas and Special Presentations for the upcoming 48th edition of the festival taking place from September 7 to 17. Each of the two high-profile programmes thus far present 60 movies, including 37 World premieres. In a statement, TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey promised audiences would experience, “An unforgettable celebration of film and a memorable and star-studded festival, showcasing the best of global cinema for film lovers.” Here;s what the show looks like thus far.
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