Toronto treats: what's on your plate

Gala Presentations showcase high-profile premieres and films that appeal to a mainstream audience, all presented in the luxurious Roy Thomson Hall.
Galas include a mix of Canadian, American, and international films. BEING JULIA, BEYOND THE SEA, FIVE CHILDREN AND IT, I Ì HUCKABEES, and STAGE BEAUTY are some of the films included in the programme this year.

Detailed list:

Arsène Lupin Jean-Paul Salomé
Being Julia István Szabó
Beyond the Sea Kevin Spacey
Clean Olivier Assayas
Downfall Oliver Hirschbiegel
Five Children and It John Stephenson
A Good Woman Mike Barker
House of Flying Daggers Zhang Yimou
I Huckabees David O. Russell
Imaginary Heroes Dan Harris
An Italian Romance Carlo Mazzacurati
Jiminy Glick in Lalawood Vadim Jean
Kinsey Bill Condon
Modigliani Mick Davis
The Motorcycle Diaries Walter Salles
Ray Taylor Hackford
Red Dust Tom Hooper
Return to Sender Bille August
Shark Tale Vicky Jenson, Bibo Bergeron, Rob Letterman
Stage Beauty Richard Eyre

Masters features the works of filmmakers who are widely acknowledged as leaders in the cinematic arts. This year's Masters includes films by Abbas Kiarostami, Wim Wenders, Spike Lee, Sembene Ousmane, Hou Hsiao-hsien, Volker Schlöndorff, and Im Kwon-taek. Masters is now in its eighth year.

Visions spotlights works that enter new cinematic territory, use unconventional approaches to storytelling, or employ new technologies in distinctive ways. Visions features filmmakers pushing the boundaries of contemporary cinema. Films include 9 SONGS, A HOLE IN MY HEART, THE LOVE CRIMES OF GILLIAN GUESS, L'INTRUS, PRIMER, and VITAL. Visions is now in its third year.

Special Presentations showcase films destined for critical acclaim and award season recognition. Titles include THE ASSASSINATION OF RICHARD NIXON, CHILDSTAR, HOTEL RWANDA, LADIES IN LAVENDER, MILLIONS, OUT TO SEA, PALINDROMES, SILVER CITY, and YESTERDAY. Special Presentations was introduced in 1987.

Canada First! reframes the Festival's Canadian programming, reflecting the Festival's commitment toward emerging Canadian filmmakers. It will annually showcase feature films from filmmakers making their feature debut or presenting a feature at the Festival for the first time. Canada First! launches with the world premiere of Michael McGowan's SAINT RALPH.

As part of the restructuring of Canadian programming, the Festival also launches Short Cuts Canada, to accentuate the tremendous talent bursting out of Canada’s short film scene. The programme will feature 30 to 40 shorts per year.

Contemporary World Cinema represents a rich diversity of world cinema, showcasing premieres and prize-winners from international directors. This year, Contemporary World Cinema screens 51 world, international, and North American premieres. Contemporary World Cinema was introduced in 1983.


Discovery showcases new films by emerging filmmakers premiering in Toronto that are seeking distribution. Discovery points both public audiences and industry professionals toward hot new directors. Films include: LE COU DE LA GIRAFFE, ELECTRIC SHADOWS, HARI OM, OMAGH, and OYSTER FARMER. Discovery made its debut in 1996.

Planet Africa showcases the best films by filmmakers from Africa and the African diaspora. Planet Africa highlights include: BULLET BOY, THE HERO, OFF DUTY, TIME OUT, GARDIENS DE LA MEMOIRE, and KOUNANDI. Planet Africa is celebrating its tenth anniversary.

Real to Reel consists of some of the most significant, cutting-edge documentary films being made in the world. Notable titles include: ANDREW AND JEREMY GET MARRIED; GOING UPRIVER: THE LONG WAR OF JOHN KERRY; THE LAST VICTORY; SMALL MALL; and THE YEAR OF THE YAO. Real to Reel was introduced in 1996.

Wavelengths is devoted to avant-garde film. Films in this programme reflect and influence the theory, practice, and aesthetics of the moving image, and often set trends in the history of cinema. Filmmakers include Thom Andersen & Malcolm Brodwick, Lawrence Jordan, Lewis Klahr, Joseph Cornell, Anthony McCall, and Peter Hutton. Wavelengths was launched in 2001.

National Cinema showcases contemporary international filmmakers and the hottest cinematic sensations through its programme. This year’s spotlight is South Africa: Ten Years Later. Titles include: CAPE OF GOOD HOPE; DRUM; FORGIVENESS; MAX AND MONA; MOZART – THE MUSIC OF THE VIOLIN; A SOUTH AFRICAN LOVE STORY: WALTER AND ALBERTINA SISULU; and ZULU LOVE LETTER. In the past, this programme has introduced North Americans and international audiences to exciting works from Brazil, Japan, the Balkans, Vietnam, Iran, Poland, and Scandinavia.

Canadian Retrospective highlights Canadian film history and pays tribute to its filmmakers. This year's Canadian Retrospective celebrates the work of Pierre Perrault. In previous years, Canadian Retrospective has honoured Nell Shipman, Allan King, and Jean Pierre Lefebvre. Canadian Retrospective is now in its fourth year.

Canadian Open Vault celebrates a recently restored, iconic Canadian film. Canadian Open Vault is a key part of the Toronto International Film Festival Group's commitment to the preservation and presentation of classic Canadian films. This year, Canadian Open Vault presents Peter Carter's 1972 hit THE ROWDYMAN, starring Gordon Pinsent. Last year's Canadian Open Vault was Ted Kotcheff’s THE APPRENTICESHIP OF DUDDY KRAVITZ.

Dialogues: Talking with Pictures offers filmmakers and performers an opportunity to present a film that has significantly impacted their career. This year's presentations include THE BROOD, DIARY OF A COUNTRY PRIEST, HEAVEN'S GATE, and LA NOIRE DE . . . . Dialogues is affiliated with Talk Cinema, an interactive and educational monthly screening series.

The extremely popular Midnight Madness features the dark and ferociously hip. The programme has included the world or North American premiere of such films as: THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE, CABIN FEVER, FULL TIME KILLER, GOZU, HAUTE TENSION, KOMODO, OFFICE KILLER, TIME AND TIDE, and SPUN. Midnight Madness was introduced in 1987.