Pop Culture

Published September 4, 2025

TIFF kicks off 50th edition with world premiere of John Candy documentary

By Alex Nino Gheciu
TIFF via Canadian Press by /Alex Lupul AAL

TORONTO - The 50th Toronto International Film Festival kicks off today with the world premiere of “John Candy: I Like Me,” a documentary celebrating the late Canadian comedian. 

Candy’s family will walk the red carpet alongside the opening-night film’s executive producer Ryan Reynolds, and director Colin Hanks.

Over the next 11 days, Toronto will welcome a wave of Hollywood heavyweights, with Angelina Jolie, Keanu Reeves, Sydney Sweeney and Dwayne Johnson among the A-listers set to attend.

U.K. pop star Charli XCX is making her film debut this afternoon with the world premiere of “Erupcja." She stars in the indie drama as a British tourist caught in a volatile romance with a florist, played by Polish actress Lena Góra.

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This year’s milestone edition of TIFF will feature 291 films from around the world, with Guillermo Del Toro’s “Frankenstein" and Benny Safdie’s “The Smashing Machine” among the buzziest crowd-pleasers.

Also in the lineup are some politically charged films, including "Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk," about a Palestinian photojournalist who was killed by an Israeli airstrike in April, as well as "The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue," which follows a retired Israeli soldier who saved his family during the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks.

The festival runs through Sept. 14, when it closes with the People’s Choice Awards — a prize often seen as an early predictor of Oscar success.

Feature image from by /Alex Lupul AAL VIA The Canadian Press

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