From Disability Rights to a Formula One Legend: TIFF Selects Its 2026 Opening and Closing Films
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The Toronto International Film Festival has selected Being Heumann, directed by Academy Award–winning filmmaker Siân Heder, as the Opening Night Film of its 51st edition. Canadian biographical sports drama Villeneuve: The Rise of a Legend, directed by Yan Lanouette Turgeon, will serve as the festival’s Closing Night Film. TIFF 2026 is scheduled to take place in Toronto from September 10 to 20.
The opening selection, Being Heumann, is a historical drama inspired by true events in the life of American disability-rights activist Judy Heumann, one of the leading figures in the campaign for accessibility and civil rights for people with disabilities.
The story centres on the 1977 protest in which Heumann and a coalition of disability-rights activists occupied a federal government building to demand the enforcement of legal protections for disabled Americans.
British actor Ruth Madeley portrays Judy Heumann, while Mark Ruffalo plays US government official Joseph Califano. The cast also includes Dylan O’Brien and Madeline Delp. Heder directed the film and co-wrote its screenplay with Rebekah Taussig.
TIFF’s Closing Night selection, Villeneuve: The Rise of a Legend, is a Canadian biographical sports drama chronicling the early years of racing driver Gilles Villeneuve’s career and his rise toward international Formula One recognition.
Directed by Canadian filmmaker Yan Lanouette Turgeon, the film is included in TIFF’s Gala Presentations programme, placing a Canadian sports story at the centre of the festival’s closing celebration.
Together, the two selections connect different chapters of modern history: a disability-rights movement that challenged government inaction and the early career of one of Canada’s best-known racing figures.
