Being Heumann will open the 51 st edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The festival announced today that the drama by Sîan Heder will kick off events with a gala presentation on September 10. Being Heumann tells the story of disability rights activist Judith Heumann, who made significant contributions in the fight for accessibility. Her story previously appeared as part of the Oscar-nominated documentary Crip Camp and Being Heumann adapts her memoir of the same name. The film stars Ruth Madeley ( Dr. Who ) as Heumann alongside Mark Ruffalo and Dylan O’Brien. It marks Heder’s first film since her drama CODA won three Oscars including Best Picture. The biopic will later be released by Apple Original Films.
TIFF also announced two more films tapped for world premieres in the Gala slate: Prima Facie and The Assassin(s) . The former features Cynthia Erivo in an adaptation of Suzie Miller’s one-woman legal drama. The stage production earned Jodie Comer a Tony Award. Susanna White ( Woman Walks Ahead ) directs the film. Meanwhile, The Assassin(s) stars South Korean actor/singer Lee Min-ho ( Pachinko ) in a thriller directed by Hur Jin-ho ( Dangerous Liaisons ).
“We’re thrilled to open this year’s Festival with Siân Heder’s inspiring follow-up to her Oscar-winning CODA ,” said TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey in a release from the festival. “ Being Heumann features an electric performance from Ruth Madeley in the story of Judy Heumann, a world-changing advocate for accessibility. We’re also glad to reveal the news that Toronto audiences will be the first to see Cynthia Erivo in Susanna White’s searing legal drama Prima Facie , and that the South Korean power duo of director Hur Jin-ho and superstar Lee Min-ho will launch their thriller The Assassin(s) at our 51st Festival. Lots more to come.”
TIFF will announce more titles for the festival July 20–23 and August 4–7, with the full line-up going live August 11. This year also marks the launch of the TIFF Market as the festival seeks to regain its place in fall schedule. Last year’s event helped launch several of the season’s big hits, including People’s Choice Award winner Hamnet , which went on to win Jessie Buckley the Academy Award for Best Actress. This year’s festival runs Sept. 10 to 20.
