The 2021 Toronto International Film Festival continues to shape up, with Dear Evan Hansen — director Stephen Chbosky’s adaptation of the smash hit Broadway musical — tapped as the official Opening Night selection, screening on Thursday, September 9 at Roy Thomson Hall. “There was no question that Dear Evan Hansen was the ideal film to launch the Festival this year,” said Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director and Co-Head, TIFF. “This film is ultimately about healing, forgiveness, and reaffirms how connected and essential we all are to one another. We couldn’t think of a more important idea to celebrate this year as we come together once again to share the power and joy of cinema in theatres together.”
“Dear Evan Hansen is a film about allowing ourselves to be found, and giving ourselves permission to be our true, authentic selves,” said Stephen Chbosky, who previously helmed an adaptation of his own novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, to great critical acclaim. “After a year and a half of isolation, so many of us are finding our way back to each other. So, now more than ever, I am honoured that the Toronto International Film Festival has chosen Dear Evan Hansen to open this year’s Festival. We could not have asked for a more ideal festival, or audience, or moment to premiere our film.”
Festival organizers also confirmed acclaimed Chinese director Zhang Yimou’s newest effort, One Second, will close the event. Described in a press release as “a love letter to movies and a reminder of how they
can unite people, regardless of our differences,” the film tells the story of a man who escapes a labour camp hoping to reunite with his daughter, encountering a traveling film projectionist along the way.
Today’s press release included the announcement of 10 additional Gala Presentations, and 22 Special Presentations. See below for the full list of announced titles.
GALA PRESENTATIONS 2021
*previously announced
*Belfast Kenneth Branagh | United Kingdom
World Premiere
Clifford the Big Red Dog Walt Becker | USA/United Kingdom/Canada
World Premiere
Opening Night Film
Dear Evan Hansen Stephen Chbosky | USA
World Premiere
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain Will Sharpe | United Kingdom
Canadian Premiere
*Jagged Alison Klayman | USA
World Premiere
*Last Night in Soho Edgar Wright | United Kingdom
North American Premiere
*The Mad Women’s Ball (Le Bal des folles) Mélanie Laurent | France
World Premiere
*Night Raiders Danis Goulet | Canada/New Zealand
North American Premiere
Closing Night Film
One Second Zhang Yimou | China
North American Premiere
The Survivor Barry Levinson | USA/Canada/Hungary
World Premiere
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 2021
*previously announced
Ali & Ava Clio Barnard | United Kingdom
North American Premiere
All My Puny Sorrows Michael McGowan | Canada
World Premiere
*Benediction Terence Davies | United Kingdom
World Premiere
Bergman Island Mia Hansen-Løve | France
International Premiere
*Charlotte Eric Warin, Tahir Rana | Canada/France/Belgium
World Premiere
*Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over Dave Wooley, David Heilbroner | USA
World Premiere
Drive My Car Ryusuke Hamaguchi | Japan
North American Premiere
Encounter Michael Pearce | United Kingdom/USA
International Premiere
The Eyes of Tammy Faye Michael Showalter | USA
World Premiere
*The Guilty Antoine Fuqua | USA
World Premiere
I’m Your Man Maria Schrader | Germany
North American Premiere
Inexorable Fabrice du Welz | Belgium/France
International Premiere
*Lakewood Phillip Noyce | Canada
World Premiere
The Middle Man Bent Hamer | Norway/Canada/Germany/Denmark
World Premiere
Official Competition (Competencia Oficial) Mariano Cohn, Gastón Duprat | Spain/Argentina
North American Premiere
Paris, 13th District (Les Olympiades) Jacques Audiard | France
North American Premiere
*Petite Maman Céline Sciamma | France
Canadian Premiere
*The Starling Theodore Melfi | USA
World Premiere
The Story of My Wife Ildikó Enyedi | Hungary/Germany/Italy/France
North American Premiere
Three Floors (Tre Piani) Nanni Moretti | Italy/France
North American Premiere
Violet Justine Bateman | USA
International Premiere
The Worst Person In The World (Verdens Verste Menneske) Joachim Trier | Norway/France/Sweden/Denmark
North American Premiere
The 2021 Toronto International Film Festival runs September 9-18, featuring both in-person screenings and digital offerings to accommodate film lovers unable to make the trek to Canada. Find more information at tiff.net, and stay tuned for additional festival coverage.