Here in Australia, September signifies the start of Spring. But as any good cinephile would know, it's also a major month in the world of cinema. And that’s largely thanks to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) — which is back in full force for its 49th edition and shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.
TIFF has always been a little different from its European counterparts. Slightly more offbeat than Venice and Cannes, Toronto is earning a reputation as the festival where Oscar hopefuls are born and cultural moments begin. The 2025 program has already lived up to this name. Maude Apatow has made her directorial debut, with Poetic License, a comedy starring none other than her own mother, Leslie Mann. At the other end of the spectrum, Saoirse Ronan is back on our screens with Bad Apples, a dark comedy that sees her playing a teacher who locks one of her students in a basement.
Want to stay across all the action? Below, these are the can't-miss films premiering at Toronto International Film Festival in 2025.
Christy
Christy will see Sydney Sweeney's long-awaited transformation into trailblazing boxer Christy Martin finally come to fruition. Directed by David Michôd, this biographical drama doesn’t shy away from the darker chapters of Martin’s life, including her struggle to overcome domestic abuse. Premiering in TIFF’s Special Presentations, the film has already resonated strongly with audiences and critics alike, who praise Sweeney’s intense and transformative performance both emotionally and physically.
Couture
Starring Angelina Jolie, Couture offers an intimate glimpse into the intense world of Paris Fashion Week. Directed by Alice Winocour, this Special Presentations premiere intertwines the stories of women from varied backgrounds—a French makeup artist, a Sudanese model, and an American filmmaker—each confronting their own dreams, losses, and journeys of self-discovery amid the high-stakes glamour of the French fashion industry.
Driver's Ed
Directed by comedy veteran Bobby Farrelly, Driver’s Ed is a ostalgic comedy that follows a high school senior (Sam Nivola of The White Lotus) on a chaotic quest to salvage his long-distance relationship. Featuring a quirky cast — including Molly Shannon as an overenthusiastic principal and Kumail Nanjiani as an energetic driving instructor in hot pursuit — this is a coming-of-age story at its best.
Bad Apples
Saoirse Ronan leads Bad Apples, a darkly comic thriller about an elementary school teacher whose patience is pushed to breaking point. Directed by Jonatan Etzler in his English-language debut, the film charts Ronan’s character's struggle to manage a troubled student — only to find her own sense of right and wrong unraveling in the process.
Poetic License
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With Poetic License, Maude Apatow has officially secured her status as a triple-threat. Marking her feature directorial debut, the film premiered in TIFF’s Special Presentations with a charming exploration of unexpected connections across generations: when a middle-aged mother (Leslie Mann) joins a college poetry class, she becomes caught up in the intense emotional rivalry between two seniors.
Sacrifice
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Romain Gavras’s Sacrifice takes sharp aim at celebrity culture and environmental activism. Set during a star-studded charity gala, a movie star finds himself abducted by radical extremists intent on “saving humanity” through a ritual sacrifice. There's a stellar cast to bring it to life, including Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Evans, Salma Hayek, and John Malkovich.
