The much talked about Toronto International Film Festival 2025 has come and gone but then the memories will be indelible in the minds of not just a few who attended the 10-day event, held in Toronto, Canada from September 4 to September 14, 2025.
TIFF is one of the most celebrated film events in the world, displaying an extensive diversity of films from different genres and cultures. Held annually in Toronto, Canada, TIFF is now a prestigious platform where directors and emerging talent debut their work.
TIFF is not just for Westerners alone. The festival brings together movie enthusiasts from all over the world who have the common goal of pushing the movie industry forward across the globe.
Bliss, who attended the event, brings you some tidbit of the international film festival that had thousands of people from all over the world in attendance.
Canadian PM Carney kicks off TIFF 2025
The Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, kicked off the festival on September 4, calling TIFF “a testament to part of what makes Canada unique”.
During thee TIFF 50th edition, Carney took the stage to applaud ahead of the screening of opening-night film “John Candy: I Like Me,” a documentary celebrating the late Canadian comedian.
The opening night gala at TIFF was an incredible evening as Candy’s hometown of Toronto took center stage.
The producer of the documentary, Ryan Reynolds, was at the opening wearing a Tee-shirt emblazoned with a Canadian maple leaf. He was joined by Hanks, Candy’s children Jennifer and Christopher, and other family members, who also served as executive producers of the documentary.
TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey. Bailey greeted the audience, thanked volunteers and welcomed former TIFF executives — among them former directors Piers Handling, Helga Stephenson and Wayne Clarkson.
TIFF’s choice of John Candy: I Like Me as its opening film underscores the festival’s commitment to celebrating Canadian talent while marking its 50th anniversary. “Comedy fans all over the world grew up on John Candy’s humor,” said TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey. “We love that John’s global career started in Toronto, and we can’t wait to share John Candy: I Like Me with everyone at this year’s Opening Night Gala premiere. Colin Hanks has made a hugely entertaining film packed with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, but like John, this movie is all heart.”
And the streets turn TIFF
The King Street West, in downtown Toronto practically turned into a festival street even shortly before the festival commenced. Then again, from University Avenue to Peter Street and of course, The King Street West, everywhere, transformed into a carnival with different vibrant activities ranging from screenings, arts, culture and entertainment from movie aficionados.
The best of all were the freebies. Food trucks and carts lined the streets and provided bites for anybody who cared for.
The TIFF sign could not be ignored as it was mounted conspicuously on the street even as so many other buildings were adorned with TIFF’s banners and posters.
With screening venues like Roy Thomson Hall, the Princess of Wales Theatre, the Royal Alexandra Theatre and, of course, the TIFF Lightbox all holding court on the strip, the buzz is profound and can’t be ignored as soon as you walk up the steps of St. Andrew Station.
50 and more shades of fun
Since this year’s edition of TIFF was the 50th, it didn’t come as a surprise that the organisers rolled out the drums to ensure that this milestone edition was hitch free, fun filled and full of excitement.
When TIFF said it was bringing stars to Toronto, it didn’t mince words. Stars came and they indeed, dazzled and sparkled like the stars they are.
The festival is usually one where movies come to and grow from there.
And TIFF @ 50 was not an exception. Festivalgoers stormed TIFF and most of them announced their arrival by taking snapshots at the iconic TIFF sign before delving into the party and fun.
Nigeria graces TIFF
The movie industry in Nigeria is gaining ground globally and it didn’t come as a surprise that four Nigerian movies made it to TIFF.
The movies reflected the country’s rich cultural heritage and the growing international presence of Nigerian cinema.
Among the movies that made it to TIFF include, My Father’s Shadow, directed by Akinola Davies Jr and featured a star-studded cast including Sope Dirisu, Godwin Chiemerie Egbo, Chibuike Marvellous Egbo, Uzoamaka Aniunoh, and Winifred Efon.
Also, Dust to Dreams, a film directed by Shirley Frimpong-Manso and had cast like Nse Ikpe-Etim, Eku Edewor, Atlanta Bridget Johnson was shown at TIFF.
Stitches, also directed by Shirley Frimpong-Manso, and had stars like Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Regina Askia, Adaobi Dibor, and Obinna Okenwa Bam, equally made it to TIFF.
Finally, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde’s debut movie as a director titled Mother’s Love also hit the screens at TIFF.
These films are part of a broader movement to highlight Nigerian filmmakers and their contributions to the global film industry. TIFF 2025 is a significant opportunity for Nigerian cinema to reach a wider audience and showcase the country’s unique storytelling voice.
NFVCB boss commends Nollywood @TIFF
Speaking about Nigeria’s outing at the just concluded Toronto International Film Festival, Doctor Shaibu Hussenni, the Executive Director of Nigeria Film and Video Censors Board, said Nollywood industry is inching towards gaining more global recognition.
The ED who was present during the festival, said, “Four movies is not a small number compared to the fact that Nigeria is not the only film producing country in the continent in sub Saharan Africa. If you have four films showing, I think it is a recognition coming for your industry.
“I know that in the past, we used to have one film by a Nigerian producer or director showing in main competition. This is the first time that there has been one deliberate move by an independent company, Sira, run by Madam Joy Odiete to position our core Nollywood films at the market for global buyers and those who are sales agents and those who come to check for contents they want to buy. That is why she set up a market screening of films like Stitches, which was officially selected to screen at the industry market.
“We are hoping that as the year runs by, we have more entries not just in the market but in main official competition. These are festival films and not like our normal films. You don’t see festival films every day. They are well-curated films, fit for the festival audience. It is a step forward and we will continue to take those steps forward as an industry. This shows that the industry is growing.”
TIFF rolls out red carpet
Oh yes, the main attraction is the movies but what is TIFF without the red carpet where festival fashion happens and celebrities strut to show off their panache and style.
The TIFF red carpet featured stunning fashion and a star-studded lineup, with celebrities making memorable appearances. It was a showcase of high fashion, as many stars opted for bold and creative outfits.
Scarlett Johansson wore Valentino for the TIFF premiere of her feature directorial debut and she received a lot of accolades. Felicity Jones donned a red gown that is open at thee sides of the torso for the Train Dreams premiere. Canadian filmmaker and actor, Nic Altobelli took it a notch higher. She wore a corset and Collina Strada corset-and-shirt ensemble with Peter Fox shoes, styled by Toronto retailer Absolutely Fabrics. At the world premiere of Roofman, Kristin Dunst wore a lovely light blue, off-the-shoulder Valentino gown from the Resort 2026 collection, paired with delicate Sophie Bille Brahe jewelry.
AnyaTaylor-Joy wore an ice-blue satin Dior gown by Jonathan Anderson to the Sacrifice premiere, paired with Tiffany & Co. jewelry and Louboutin pumps. The origami-inspired folds of the skirt added a sculptural, three-dimensional contrast to the sleek bodice of the custom creation.
And the award winners are…
It was time to reward the most deserving and the recipients were filled with excitement as they received their plaques.
The recipients of the 2025 People’s Choice Awards presented by Rogers include: Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice, (International), Barry Avrich’s The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue (Documentary), and Matt Johnson’s Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie (Midnight Madness)
The Platform Award winner went to Valentyn Vasyanovych’s To The Victory while Short Cuts Award for Best International Short Film went to Talk Me, directed by Joecar Hanna. Also, Short Cuts Award for Best Canadian Short Film was grabbed by The Girl Who Cried Pearls which was directed by Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski.
Presented by the Network for the Promotion of Asian Pacific Cinema, the NETPAC Award recognizes films specifically from the Asian and Pacific regions. The award went to In Search of The Sky (Vimukt), which was directed by Jitank Singh Gurjar.
Also, the Best Canadian Feature Film Award was given to Uiksaringitara (Wrong Husband), which was directed by Zacharias Kunuk.
