TIFF: A Journey into Cinema, Art, and Culture

TIFF50 Recap                              

TIFF celebrated its 50th birthday in bold style this year, marking half a century of cinematic excellence and global storytelling. The 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, ran from September 4 to 14, 2025, showcasing a lineup that balances heritage with new voices.

Opening with John Candy: I Like Me, Colin Hanks’s documentary homage to the beloved Canadian comedian, TIFF 50 also features a richly diverse selection of Galas and Special Presentations, from Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet to Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, The Lost Bus by Paul Greengrass, Steal Away by Clement Virgo, and Homebound by Neeraj Ghaywan, among others.

My First TIFF Experience

This year I attended TIFF as an Industry Delegate. Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) experience had such a profound impact that even a week later, I am still basking in the afterglow.

I feel amazed, exhilarated, and grateful to have taken my very first step into the creative universe of cinema, an industry that has always been a part of my life in some or the other way, one that shaped the imaginations of my parents and grandparents who were lifelong cinema enthusiasts. Growing up, discussing films was one of my household’s favorite pastimes. Stories were not just entertainment, they were conversation, community, and culture.

Stepping into the World of TIFF

I have always been a fan of the festival and eagerly awaited updates from TIFF. Last year, I attended as a fan, hoping to catch a glimpse of my favorite celebrities. Seeing them in person left a lingering and lasting impact on me, I was truly starstruck. While I can smile at the fact that I’m capable of getting starstruck and feeling good about it, what mattered most was how it inspired me to hone my creative skills. It pushed me to find meaning in the creative side of myself that had always been there. As fate would have it, the stars aligned, and one year later, I found myself at TIFF once again.

The first day at TIFF 2025 began with the Industry Conference, which ran for several days and brought together filmmakers, producers, critics, and global industry leaders. I had the opportunity to hear from incredible speakers/leaders from the industry. I also had the chance to explore the TIFF Market, discover booths from TIFF’s partners, collect festival goodies, and, most importantly, connect with people from around the world.

Then came the red carpets: hearing from cast and crew in person, attending film parties, and, most memorably, witnessing the unifying power of storytelling through cinema. Festivals like TIFF prove that stories can cross borders and truly unite the world.

In the ten days of the festival that included the industry sessions, after-parties, and conversations with international delegates, I realized just how much effort, research, and creativity goes into each cinematic project. As an audience member, film often feels like pure entertainment, but behind the scenes, it is a universe of hard work, collaboration, and vision. When all the stars align, something extraordinary is created.

TIFF 2025 Highlights

Here are some of the notable premieres, events, and guest-speakers from TIFF 2025 that made the festival especially memorable:

• Opening & Closing Films: John Candy: I Like Me by Colin Hanks opened the festival.

• Tribute Awards: Guillermo del Toro received the Director Tribute, Jodie Foster was honoured with the Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award, along with other Tribute Award recipients including Lee Byung-hun, Catherine O’Hara, Channing Tatum, Nina Hoss, Idris Elba.

• Major World Premieres / Gala & Special Presentations:• Good Fortune by Aziz Ansari (featuring Keanu Reeves) • Couture by Alice Winocour, with Angelina Jolie in a French-language role. • Christy by David Michôd, starring Sydney Sweeney. • Roofman by Derek Cianfrance • Hamnet by Chloé Zhao was also in the lineup. • Other key premieres: The Choral, Nuremberg, Swiped, Franz, Homebound, Meadowlarks, A Private Life.

• Record Indigenous Representation: TIFF 2025 featured a record number of feature-length and short films by Indigenous filmmakers from Canada, including Sk+te'kmujue'katik (At the Place of Ghosts), Blood Lines, and Levers. These works were supported by the Indigenous Screen Office.

• Guest Stars & Key Attendees:Angelina Jolie, Keanu Reeves, Marcos including Sydney Sweeney, Jodie Foster, Idris Elba, Channing Tatum, Catherine O’Hara, Guillermo del Toro, Nina Hoss and others were present.

• Special Events:• TIFF’s Festival Street returned as a pedestrian zone (King Street West) with free entertainment, art, food, and cultural activation. • Rogers TIFF 50 Timescape, an installation and activation in Yorkville, featuring multimedia content, archival images, live feeds from red carpets, and musical acts. • The TIFF Tribute Awards Gala held at the Fairmont Royal York.

• Programming & Volume: There were about 291 films in the official selection. TIFF 2025 was the 50th edition of the festival.

Here are some of the TIFF Q&A sessions and Tribute award speeches. More can be watched on the TIFF Originals channel.

Cast & Crew of "ELEANOR THE GREAT"

Cast & Crew of "NO OTHER CHOICE"

Lee Byung Hun

Here are trailers for some of the Canadian movies screened at TIFF 50. You can watch more on the TIFF Trailers channel.

"True North"

"Nika & Madison"

Here’s a glimpse of some TIFF Q&As from past years. You can watch more on the TIFF Originals channel.”

Cast & Crew of "Rez Ball"

Priyanka Chopra

Hyun Bin & Lee Dong-wook

The Global Stage of Film Festivals

TIFF is held every September in Toronto and has grown into one of the world’s most influential film festivals, often setting the stage for the year’s awards season. Alongside TIFF, other major festivals celebrating global cinema include:

• Venice Film Festival (Italy) – one of the oldest and most prestigious.

• Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale, Germany) – known for its political and cultural depth.

• Cannes Film Festival (France) – glamorous, exclusive, with global reach.

• Busan International Film Festival (BIFF, South Korea) – Asia’s leading platform for new talent.

• International Film Festival of India (IFFI, Goa) – a hub for world cinema, blending storytelling with India’s scenic beauty.

  
  

Together, these festivals uphold the age-old culture of experiencing art, music, theatre, and storytelling within a community, while creating opportunities to meet new people, engage with artists, and understand cinema on a deeper level.

A Personal Connection

I have always been a science student, immersed in the world of technology. Yet the creative spark has lived within me all along. Since childhood, I nurtured it through self-learning, writing, participating in community arts events, or simply admiring cinema from afar.

On my paternal side, family members were often involved in community-level music, dance, drama, and theatre. On my maternal side, household conversations frequently centered around art, music, and most importantly cinema. It’s no surprise, then, that I inherited this passion naturally.

To finally be at TIFF as a conference member representing my company was surreal. It was exhilarating, humbling, and even a little intimidating, but in the best possible way. For me, TIFF 2025 was not just about watching films. It was about officially becoming a student of cinema, learning the inner workings of the industry, and finding ways to contribute, even if just as a drop in the ocean.

A Guide for First-Time TIFF Attendees (from my experience)

Here are some practical tips I gathered from my journey:

• Stay close to TIFF venues if possible; many events are centered around King Street and the TIFF Lightbox.

• Carry comfortable shoes, even if you pack stylish ones for red carpets and parties.

• Express yourself through fashion—TIFF is as much about culture and creativity as it is about cinema.

• Interact with people; it’s one of the best chances to meet film lovers, industry leaders, and creatives from around the world.

• Visit red carpets for the thrill of seeing your favorite stars up close.

• If offered, get a Fan Zone pass or other access passes.

• Check the benefits of your festival pass—many attendees don’t realize how much access is included.

• Plan your schedule early—with nearly 300 films, plus panels, workshops, and special events, TIFF can feel overwhelming.

Reflection

TIFF 2025 reminded me that cinema is not just about stars on the screen, it is about the communities, histories, and cultures that come together to create and share stories. Cinema has always taken us into fantasy, taught us things that cannot be taught in school or found in any book, and created employment and opportunities for many working people in the entertainment industry. It flourishes in ways that must be celebrated.

This medium has reached the masses and shown us the ways we can live. It has taught, that it's okay to live authentically, that change is possible and in fact often essential for our futures.

For me, attending TIFF was a dream realized, a spark reignited, and a promise to keep learning and growing in this creative world. It was an opportunity to know about the stories across the globe where everyone can find something to relate to, see themselves in some character and feel seen.

It truly feels like a gift from destiny.

"Because a devoted audience deserves wonderful cinema!"

I look forward to many more TIFFs filled with learning, entertainment, and unforgettable starstruck moments. Here’s one of my most memorable highlights, capturing myself in a special moment at TIFF.

While TIFF may officially wrap each year, the experience doesn’t end there. With a year-round TIFF membership, you’ll can enjoy exclusive perks including cinema, library, exhibitions and events. Discover more at tiff.net

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this review/article are solely those of the author and are intended for informational, commentary, and educational purposes only. All movie and series titles, character names, images, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Any images, posters, or video clips, links etc. used are for illustrative purposes only and are included under fair dealing/fair use provisions for review, criticism, and news reporting. No copyright infringement is intended, and this content is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any production company, distributor, or rights holder.