Seth Rogen shares career advice at TIFF 2026

At the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), actor and filmmaker Seth Rogen shared insights into his career while receiving the Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award. During a panel discussion, Rogen reflected on the most impactful advice he has received: ‘Less semen, more emotion!’

Rogen credited the advice to his longtime mentor, Judd Apatow, who reportedly shouted the instruction during the filming of the 2007 comedy ‘Knocked Up’. Rogen explained that the crude directive helped him learn how to balance humor with emotion, reality, and tone, serving as a guiding principle throughout his decades in Hollywood.

In addition to discussing his creative process, Rogen spoke about his early beginnings as a teenage stand-up comedian in Vancouver and his long-standing professional partnership with frequent collaborator Evan Goldberg. The festival also featured screenings of his latest projects, including ‘Babies’ and ‘Tangles’.