We’re past the halfway point of TIFF 2026. The team at That Shelf has been clocking more movies than ever, and while opening night is long in the rearview, plenty of films still deserve your attention in the festival’s remaining days.
Our team has put in the hours – literally – and these are the hidden gems, star-studded premieres, international favourites, and homegrown cinema picks that we think are worthy of your time and attention before the curtain closes on the 51st edition of the Festival of Festivals.
All films highlighted below still have TIFF screenings Sept. 17 through 20, subject to availability.
Jordan Firstman’s Club Kid is why we go to the movies! The film follows a hard-partying man whose life takes a surprising turn when he discovers he has a son he never knew about. Expertly mixing comedy and drama and featuring one hell of a soundtrack, Firstman’s film beams with energy. While the premise may recall works such as About A Boy or Big Daddy, Club Kid carves out its own unique space, one that ranks among the best works of the year. – Courtney Small
Club Kid screens on Sept. 18 at 9:30 pm and Sept. 19 at 5:15 pm.
I’ve seen all but a small handful of the documentaries at TIFF so far, and Bleeding Hearts is easily my favourite of the U.S. contingent. Director Andrew Morgan gets extraordinary access to the country band Chaparelle from its inception, as members Zella Day, Jesse Woods, and Beau Bedford give it their all to make it in the biz. The stakes are higher with Zella and Jesse being in a relationship, so all this time together could mean they’ll find success—or that the band, or the couple, could break up. Day particularly has magnetic screen presence and is an utterly captivating performer. If you ever wanted to see Cold War as a bluegrass documentary, this one’s for you! – Pat Mullen
Bleeding Hearts screens Sept. 17 at 3:20 pm, Sept. 18 at 2:00 pm, and Sept. 20 at 7:35 pm.
More than 40 movies in, Danish drama What Lies Between Us is the one I can’t stop thinking about. A gripping drama about a community gripped by a sexual assault allegation against two teenage boys, Amalie Næsby Fick’s film explores the lengths parents will go to protect their children. A tense, thrilling drama, Sidse Babett Knudsen excels as a mother who discovers where her own ethical and moral boundaries lie. A smart script co-written by Nikolaj Arcel (The Promised Land) and Sara Jønsson keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, making this one of the festival’s true hidden gems. – Rachel West
What Lies Between Us screens on Sept. 19 at 9:30 pm.
After winning the top prize at Annecy earlier this year, this animated wonder has its North American premiere in TIFF’s caboose, but the late berth could help The Violinist hitch a ride on the awards train. Festivalgoers looking for a hidden gem won’t want to miss this beautiful animated film from Singapore about the origin story of a musician’s recognizable violin. The film unfolds a bittersweet love story about childhood friends and musicians divided by Japan’s occupation of Malaya. The music and animation are exquisitely crafted and swell with an emotionally rewarding crescendo. – PM
The Violinist screens Sept. 17 at 6:45 pm, Sept. 18 at 11:30 am, and Sept. 20 at 4:25 pm.
From first-time feature director Louise Bagnall and the animation studio behind the gorgeous Wolfwalkers and Song of the Sea, comes a joyful animated film about a young boy spending a summer in Brooklyn with his paternal Dominican grandmother. When the young, imaginative Julián finds out about Coney Island’s annual Mermaid Parade, it transforms his time and relationship with his Abuela. With vibrant visuals and resonant themes of belonging, culture, community, and being true to who you are, this film based on Jessica Love’s popular children’s book is a must-see for fans of all ages. – Emma Badame
Julián screens on Sept. 19 at 12:30 pm.
Martin McDonagh takes his career’s best hits and throws them together into a new project about a CIA agent coming to terms with death. Sam Rockwell and John Malkovich are obviously comedic dynamite in the lead roles. The crux of the story deals with heartfelt ideas such as redemption and looking after the next generation. It’s certainly McDonagh’s most emotional film to date, albeit not at all dissimilar from his usual themes.- Andrew Roberts
Another fantastic addition to Martin McDonagh’s filmography, Wild Horse Nine features a career-best performance from John Malkovich, and offers an eye-opening looking into friendship, life and knowing when it is time to let everything go. It will have you laughing in one seen and crying in the next. It was the first movie I saw at TIFF this year, and it may end up being my favourite. – Shawn Peer
Wild Horse Nine screens Sept. 19 at 9:00pm and Sept. 20 at 10:15am
The triumphant story of a Canadian hero brings the festival to an appropriately inspiring close. Sean Menard’s all-archival portrait of Terry Fox’s landmark marathon of hope offers an incredibly moving account of the icon’s courage as he endeavoured to run across Canada to raise awareness for cancer. It’s a tale that every Canadian knows, but this take on the Terry Fox story is exceptionally good at demonstrating how the runner helped bring Canadians together when the Quebec referendum risked tearing the nation apart. It’s a swell reminder of how refreshing it can be to see a positive story dominate the news cycle and rally folks for a good cause. Expect a stealthy last-minute contender in the documentary category for the People’s Choice. – PM
It’s hard to think of a person who has inspired more Canadians than the great Terry Fox. This new documentary by Sean Menard brings to light unseen footage of the cancer activist’s amazing cross-country run in 1980. Both specific to its time and universal in its outlook, this doc gives a perfectly well-rounded picture of a legend, the difficulties he faced, and what he managed to accomplish in such a short time. At a time when we need to come together more than ever, Terry’s story feels more resonant and important than it ever has before. – EB
Run Terry Run screens Sept. 19 at 4:15 pm and Sept. 20 at 10:00 am.
Director Michaël R. Roskam brings a heist of epic proportions to the big screen in his WWII-era journalism drama. Based on an incredible true story, an unlikely group of crafty Belgian resistance members attempt to pull one over Nazi occupiers by using the German propaganda war machine against them. Together, they come up with a brazen plot to write, print, and distribute a spoof edition of the country’s newspaper, Le Soir. What starts as a prank has real-world consequences for the co-conspirators as the operation grows in scale. Full of energy and suspense, Le Faux Soir is as entertaining as it is enlightening. – RW
Le Faux Soir screens on September 18 at 2:45 pm.
The Oscar buzz is already starting for Andrew Scott’s amazing turn as Scottish actor Ian Charleson in this true story of personal bravery in the face of a terminal AIDS diagnosis in the middle of the 1980s crisis of the disease. Charleson took on the starring role of Hamlet (a role Scott himself has played to raves) in a starry production at London’s National Theatre, knowing it might be the last role he could play. The actor’s commitment to his craft and to quality (rather than quantity) of life is inspiring and heartbreaking in equal measure, and Scott re-creates that remarkable run in a career-best turn. With a supporting cast of A-list Brits like Olivia Colman and a solid script from Stephen Beresford (Pride), you won’t regret lining up for this TIFF entry. – EB
Elsinore screens on Sept. 19 at 1 pm and Sept. 20 at 4 pm.
Adam (Taron Egerton) is a smooth operator when it comes to playing the dating game. He’s honed his skills on the apps to become irresistible and get what he wants, leaving a trail of disappointed, relationship-minded women in his wake. But he may have finally met his match in the beguiling Sofia (Jessica Henwick), who calls out his bad-boy behaviour. The encounter shakes him to his core. Stranger still, women suddenly can’t seem to get enough of him—and they’ll stop at nothing to get what they want. Everybody Wants to F*ck Me is a dark comedy about modern dating like no other. Edgy, smart, and wholly original, this screening promises a raucous time. – RW
Everybody Wants to F*ck Me screens on Sept. 19 at 8:30 pm.
Everything Else is Noise
The film opens on one long shot viewing a busy intersection; the honking and tires running along the pavement invite the audience into a world of noise. For artists, noise can help deepen an environment, but also distract from the subject being captured. Director Nicolás Pereda pits naturalistic intentions against the perfectionist, musicians against filmmakers, in an amusing sensory comedy about rivalries, ambition, and grudges. – AR
Everything Else is Noise screens Sept. 18 at 10:00pm
I Play Rocky is the motivational, feel-good movie that TIFF is known for, as proven by its rapturous response to its premiere earlier in the festival. Anthony Ippolito transforms into Sylvester Stallone, and Peter Farrelly effortlessly shows that when you work hard enough and fight against those in power, it is possible to achieve your dreams.
I Play Rocky screens Sept. 18 at 5:45 pm.
