The global film industry is coming to Canada’s doorstep for the Toronto International Film Festival amid a trade war that has the United States looking to produce more movies at home. More than 200 feature-length and short films are screening at TIFF from dozens of countries across six continents, ranging from Iran to Ireland and Rwanda to Romania — and, of course, the United States. The festival’s opening night film is “Being Heumann,” a biopic about American disability rights activist Judy Heumann, from Oscar-winning filmmaker Sian Heder. Another hot ticket is “Fjord,” this year’s Palme d’Or winner that dissects what religious tolerance looks like in secular Norway, starring Sebastian Stan as a devoutly Christian father of five. Stan is among the celebrities expected on Thursday, as is Jodie Comer, who plays a mortician-turned-taxidermist in the musical rom-com “Stuffed,” and Naomi Watts, who stars in historical drama “The Housewife” from Canadian director Ben Shirinian. Ahead of opening night, crews were literally rolling out the red carpet in front of the Royal Alexandra Theatre. Across the street, a handful of fans gathered behind metal stanchions. Several said they were waiting to catch of glimpse of Comer, who played an assassin in the British TV series “Killing Eve.” For the first time this year at the festival, there will be a film marketplace where those in the business can buy and sell projects in various stages of development. TIFF: The Market comes as Canada and the United States are embroiled in a trade dispute where film and TV are a sticking point. American negotiators take issue with Canadian rules requiring U.S. streaming companies to make financial contributions toward Canadian content — though the Liberal government has already walked those back, to much uproar from the Canadian industry. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has recently backed a federal tax incentive that would make filming in the country more affordable. Canada makes Hollywood stronger TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey said he understands the protectionist impulse, though he argued that Hollywood is richer for Canada’s contributions. “Canadians like James Cameron and Denis Villeneuve and Sandra Oh and our two Ryans and all of those people have helped make Hollywood stronger,” he said on a recent video call. “Hollywood is obviously the leading film industry in the world, but it makes for a stronger industry when it’s able to work with talent from every corner of the planet.” But as tensions with the United States remain, Canada’s film industry is looking to partner with other so-called “middle powers.” Julie Roy, executive director and CEO of Telefilm Canada, noted that she was just in France for the Lumiere Summit focused on international cinema, hosted by France and South Korea. “I feel very energized about that because more and more with this context, international co-operation and collaboration is a necessity,” she said by phone. “And Canada is the leader in that field. I mean, we are having treaties of co-production with 57 different countries.” Telefilm will have the largest pavilion at TIFF: The Market, where they’ll facilitate meetings between Canadian creators and international financiers. She likens it to Team Canada at the Olympic Village — but in the audiovisual sector. By early afternoon, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre was filling out with market delegates. Paul Spurrier, who is representing the Thailand Pavilion, said he’d met a number of filmmakers in the first few hours of the market who were interested in filming in Thailand. In addition to selling the country as a potential destination for international filmmakers, Spurrier is also hoping to drum up interest in Thai films. “I think that a lot of producers are being pressured to maintain the quality of their productions but to cut costs. And so Thailand is actually in a very good position to be part of that, where you can still get great crews and a great look to your shoot but at a much lower cost,” he said. Fans line for rush tickets Waiting in line for rush tickets Thursday was Rachel Helzerman, 22, a visitor from Ann Arbor, Mich., where she studies film. Helzerman, who hopes to one day be a film critic, said she was here as part of a study abroad program. She was aware of the recent tensions between the neighbouring nations but hoped that Canadians realized they “are just solely the fault of the current administration and that doesn’t actually reflect a general American view of Canada.” “More now than ever it’s really important as an American to continue going out into the world and trying to put our best foot forward, showing that no, we’re not the administration, we’re not like what you see in the news and I personally love learning about other cultures,” she said. Meanwhile, 29-year-old Julia Wigdor, of Toronto, said she specifically sought out Canadian-made productions when she was purchasing tickets. “With the rise of ‘Heated Rivalry’ and ‘Yaga’ coming and more and more Crave originals as well…it’s just a really, really cool time to support Canadian art,” said Wigdor. -With files from Kaitlyn McGrath This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 10, 2026. Nicole Thompson, The Canadian Press
