Toronto International Film Festival to Open 2026 with 'Being Heumann

The 51st Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) will open on Sept. 10, 2026 with the world premiere of “Being Heumann,” an Apple Original drama directed by Siân Heder. The film stars Ruth Madeley as Judy Heumann, the late U.S. disability‑rights activist whose 1977 28‑day sit‑in at a San Francisco federal building helped spur stronger accessibility legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey said the film “features an electric performance from Ruth Madeley in the story of Judy Heumann, a world‑changing advocate for accessibility.”

Alongside the opening night film, TIFF announced two additional gala world premieres: Susanna White’s legal thriller “Prima Facie,” starring Cynthia Erivo, and Hur Jin‑ho’s Korean political thriller “The Assassin(s),” about the 1974 assassination attempt on South Korean President Park Chung‑hee. The festival will run through Sept. 20.

The lineup highlights TIFF’s role as a launchpad for award‑season contenders and underscores the growing visibility of disability‑rights narratives in mainstream cinema.