TIFF Announces Three World Premieres for Its 51st Edition, with Being Heumann as Opening Night Film

Siân Heder’s Being Heumann announced as Opening Night Film

Jul 08, 2026

The 51st edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced three World Premieres in its Gala Presentations program: Prima Facie, directed by British filmmaker Susanna White (Woman Walks Ahead, TIFF ’17); The Assassin(s), directed by Korean filmmaker Hur Jin-ho (A Normal Family, TIFF ’23); and Being Heumann, an Apple Original Film directed by American filmmaker Siân Heder (CODA). Being Heumann will open the festival as TIFF’s Opening Night Film on Thursday, September 10, at Roy Thomson Hall.

TIFF returns September 10–20 with a dynamic lineup of acclaimed filmmakers, Hollywood and international stars, red carpet premieres, the inaugural TIFF: The Market, and unforgettable audience experiences throughout the festival’s 11-day run.

Additional TIFF Takeover programming announcements will be released during the weeks of July 20–23 and August 4–7. The complete festival schedule will be available on August 11 at tiff.net.

“We’re thrilled to open this year’s Festival with Siân Heder’s inspiring follow-up to her Oscar-winning CODA,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO, TIFF. “Being Heumannfeatures an electric performance from Ruth Madeley in the story of Judy Heumann, a world-changing advocate for accessibility. We’re also glad to reveal the news that Toronto audiences will be the first to see Cynthia Erivo in Susanna White’s searing legal drama Prima Facie, and that the South Korean power duo of director Hur Jin-ho and superstar Lee Min-ho will launch their thriller The Assassin(s) at our 51st Festival. Lots more to come.”

The Filmmakers Tribune

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