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TIFF at 50: Looking Back at the Toronto International Film Festival

by That Shelf | August 16, 2025

TIFF at 50: Our writers look back at fifty years of the Toronto International Film Festival with favourite films, memorable encounters, and pro-tips.

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Primetime takes a dark look at the rise of To Catch a Predator, following disgraced journalist Chris Hansen and the sensationalist television empire built around his “gotcha” investigations. Through the eyes of the people working behind the scenes, the film explores the blurred lines between journalism, entertainment, morality, and the pursuit of ratings. Robert Pattinson delivers a complex performance as Hansen, capturing both his commanding television persona and the contradictions beneath it. With its gritty late-2000s aesthetic and echoes of Network, Primetime becomes a sharp moral fable about the damage caused when sensationalism, ambition, and the desire for authority take priority over empathy and justice. 📝 Full review by Pat Mullen now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
3 days ago
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Forgotten Island follows best friends Jo and Raissa as their final night together before graduation takes an unexpected turn, transporting them to the mythical island of Nakali. There, they face memory-stealing creatures, magical obstacles, and the possibility that returning home could mean losing the memories of their friendship. Fast, chaotic, and packed with Filipino mythology and pop culture influences, the film embraces its sensory overload rather than slowing down. Its kinetic animation, vibrant visual style, and spirited voice cast make for an exhilarating adventure, while at its heart is a moving story about friendship, growing up, and holding on to the memories that shape us. 📝 Full review by Pat Mullen now up on That Shelf (and at the link in our bio).
4 days ago
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2/9

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TRAILER PREMIERE! Catch the trailer for Toronto filmmaker @ajuniorgabriel s debut doc, #TheSickling. Badejo chronicles his personal and emotional journey with sickle cell disease–one of the world’s most misunderstood genetic diseases. Through intimate family moments, conversations with medical experts and fellow sickle cell warriors, and raw footage of Gabriel himself, the film reveals the massive invisible weight of chronic illness, the prevalence of systemic medical racism, and the personal cost of survival itself. The film opens in Toronto on October 3 @hotdocs_ and in Montreal on October 5 at @cinemadumusee, then airs on CBC later that month. Check out this exclusive look at the trailer now.
5 days ago
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3/9

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Canadian doc GAIL has been a hit with #TIFF26 audiences. Here’s director @michaelmaxxis and Our Lady Peace’s @duncancoutts after today’s screening, talking about this cinematic story on their super fan from the Bronx.
1 week ago
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4/9

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#Neverman director @roccocine , along with cast members (from right to left) @mxviv (far right), @zaibabaig_ and @evaevirv, take to the stage at the world premiere of the Canadian drama at #TIFF26! Head to the link in our bio for our review! 🎥 @rachel_is_here
2 weeks ago
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5/9

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CONTEST ALERT! "Your best friendship is worth fighting for. " We're giving away passes to the VANCOUVER preview screening of Universal Pictures' upcoming title, FORGOTTEN ISLAND, a new original film from DreamWorks Animation (How to Train Your Dragon, Shrek, Puss in Boots). The film opens in theatres on September 25, but Universal is hosting an exclusive advance screening in Vancouver on Wednesday, September 23. To enter, just: 🫶 Like this post. 🫶 Follow That Shelf 🫶 Tag your best friend (the one who you'd like to go to the Vancouver screening with)! Grammy- and Academy Award®-winning supernova H.E.R. and Liza Soberano (Lisa Frankenstein, Alone/Together) star as best friends and high school graduates Jo and Raissa, who are about to embark on separate life paths. While celebrating their last night together, they stumble upon a mysterious portal that transports them to the fantastical island of Nakali, packed with creatures they grew up hearing stories about in their Filipino families. When they discover that the memories of their entire friendship are the price for returning home, Jo and Raissa will race to find a way to leave the island before they forget each other forever. Forgotten Island opens in theatres September 25. The contest closes Sunday at 12 noon PT. One entry per person. Canada only. Winners will be contacted by DMs. #contest #vancouver #advancescreening
2 weeks ago
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6/9

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ANOTHER CHANCE TO WIN! ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN RUN-OF-ENGAGEMENT TICKETS TO SEE #ResidentEvil. To enter: 🔴 Follow us. 🔴 Like this post. 🔴 Tag the friend you'd bring to see RESIDENT EVIL. You'll be entered to win passes to see the film during its theatrical engagement beginning September 18! From the mind of visionary filmmaker Zach Cregger (Weapons, Barbarian) comes a thrilling — and terrifying — reinvention of the Resident Evil franchise. In an all-new story, Resident Evil follows Bryan (Austin Abrams), a medical courier who unwittingly finds himself in an action-packed, non-stop race for survival as one fateful, horrifying night collapses around him in chaos. @ResidentEvil opens exclusively in movie theatres on September 18, 2026. Giveaway closes on Sunday, September 20. Open to Canadian residents only. Winners will be notified by DM. One entry per account, please. @SonyPicturesCanada @thetarogroup
2 weeks ago
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7/9

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We're almost at the halfway point of #TIFF26 already (we can't believe it either) and we're already hit some incredible cinematic highs and some equally incredible lows... Here is a second batch of quotes from our critics on some of the films they've seen: The Debut (@mullenpat) Elsinore (@emmathedame) Love of Your Life (@rachel_is_here) Faith (@rachel_is_here) IDDA (@haileypassmore) Ancestors (@mullenpat) Krux (@rachel_is_here) L'AUTRE (@smallmind1978) Smudge the Blades (@mullenpat) Nobody's Violence (@smallmind1978) The Betrayers (@rachel_is_here) Nosotros (@smallmind1978) Read the full reviews at the link in our bio! What's topped your list at the fest so far?
2 weeks ago
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8/9

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Love these faux playbills from the premiere of #TheDebut at #TIFF26. What’s the coolest piece of film marketing you’ve encountered?
2 weeks ago
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9/9

film

Forgotten Island Review: The Fun Never Stops

As entertaining as it is exhausting, Forgotten Island offers non-stop action and an all-you-can-eat buffet of animated nuggets.
TV

Primetime Review: It Takes One to Know One

Robert Pattinson gives a tour-de-force performance in Primetime as sicko journalist and To Catch a Predator host Chris Hansen.
music

La Bola Negra Review: TIFF 2026

La Bola Negra is a sweeping epic pays tribute to lost lives and loves by connecting the stories of gay men across generations.
podcasts

Contra Zoom Pod Episode 344: Interview With Matthew Rankin of Ladies and Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney

On the latest Contra Zoom Pod they interview Matthew Rankin about his film Ladies and Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney, which had its world premiere at TIFF.

The Lost Okoroshi

film

Forgotten Island Review: The Fun Never Stops

TV

Primetime Review: It Takes One to Know One

music

La Bola Negra Review: TIFF 2026

podcasts

Contra Zoom Pod Episode 344: Interview With Matthew Rankin of Ladies and Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney