Now that the dust has settled on this 44th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, our critics have wrapped up the best, worst and most awkward moments of the fest – including that time Jane Fonda jetted into town for an exclusive private fireside chat about her life and career. We look at how TIFF’s new co-heads Cameron Bailey and Joana Vicente – along with their revamped programming team – diversified this year in what kinds of productions played TIFF and also in who was making them. But a new study of TIFF’s industrial and professional impact , released as the festival closed, reveals that the event’s international prominence is not necessarily a blessing for Canadian film.
Catch up on all our coverage, and start planning which films you’ll want to watch as they’re released over the coming months.
The films Open this photo in gallery: Matt Frehner/The Globe and Mail
Check out our epic guide to our critics’ reviews of films screening at the festival – 70 in all. See if the ones they rated as their favourites lined up with their list of most-anticipated films coming to TIFF. If challenging is your thing, read our guide to the most daring and demanding films that screened this year. And if you missed these 10 films that come to the festival without distribution attached , we’re sad to say that it may take months or years for them to screen again.
Among the themes and trends our critics noticed this year were films about the making, and unmaking, of great artists . And get ready for a class war in the multiplex this fall, as a high-profile contingent of movies – including Todd Phillips’ new film Joker , starring Joaquin Phoenix – centre on the casual privilege of those at the top, and the ferocious revenge of those below.
The parties
Pilar Savone, left, Jeremy Jordan, Kerry Washington and Kenny Leon attend the American Son premiere on Sept. 12, 2019. ANDREW KELLY/Getty Images
1 of 86
Jessica Barden attends the Jungleland photo call on Sept. 12, 2019. Sonia Recchia/Getty Images
2 of 86
Charlie Hunnam arrives at the world premiere of Jungleland on Sept. 12, 2019. MARIO ANZUONI/Reuters
3 of 86
Director Max Winkler arrives for the world premiere of Jungleland on Sept. 12, 2019. MARIO ANZUONI/Reuters
4 of 86
Sarah Gadon attends the American Woman premiere on Sept. 12, 2019. ERNESTO DiSTEFANO/Getty Images
5 of 86
Willem Dafoe at a news conference for Motherless Brooklyn on Sept. 11, 2019. MARIO ANZUONI/Reuters
6 of 86
Kelly MacDonald poses at the premiere of Dirt Music on Sept. 11, 2019. MARK BLINCH/Reuters
7 of 86
Julia Stone poses at the premiere of Dirt Music on Sept. 11, 2019. Mark Blinch/Reuters
8 of 86
Cast member Pearl Amanda Dickson arrives at the world premiere of Lucy in the Sky on Sept. 11. MARIO ANZUONI/Reuters
9 of 86
Atom Egoyan, left, and Arsinée Khanjian attend the Guest Of Honour premiere on Sept. 10. Tommaso Boddi
10 of 86
Laysla De Oliveira attends the Guest Of Honour premiere on Sept. 10. Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images
11 of 86
Director Edward Norton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Willem Dafoe and Josh Pais attend the Motherless Brooklyn premiere on Sept. 10, 2019. Tommaso Boddi
12 of 86
Jennifer Nettles arrives at the international premiere of the Harriet Tubman biopic Harriet on Sept. 10, 2019. MARK BLINCH/Reuters
13 of 86
Actors Vondie Curtis-Hall, right, and Henry Hunter Hall pose on the red carpet for the gala premiere of the film Harriet on Sept. 10, 2019. Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press
14 of 86
Liev Schreiber arrives for the gala of the film Human Capital on Sept. 10, 2019. Andrew Lahodynskyj/The Canadian Press
15 of 86
Actress Renee Zellweger attends the premiere for Judy on Sept. 10, 2019. Arthur Mola/The Associated Press
16 of 86
Cynthia Erivo arrives at the international premiere of the Harriet Tubman biopic Harriet on Sept. 10, 2019. MARK BLINCH/Reuters
17 of 86
Actor Leslie Odom Jr. arrives on the red carpet for the gala premiere of the film Harriet on Sept. 10, 2019. Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press
18 of 86
Christian Bale attends a press conference of the film Ford vs Ferrari on Sept. 10, 2019. Andrew Lahodynskyj/The Canadian Press
19 of 86
Left to right: Zazie Beetz, Robert De Niro and Joaquin Phoenix attend the premiere for Joker on Sept. 9, 2019. Evan Agostini/The Associated Press
20 of 86
Rooney Mara attends the Joker premiere on Sept. 9, 2019. Evan Agostini/The Associated Press
21 of 86
Matt Damon poses with a fan after at the gala premiere of the film Ford vs. Ferrari on Sept. 9, 2019. Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press
22 of 86
Christian Bale signs autographs at the gala premiere of the film Ford vs. Ferrari on Sept. 9, 2019. Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press
23 of 86
Shamier Anderson presents the TIFF Tribute Actor Award to Meryl Streep during TIFF Tribute Gala on Sept. 9, 2019. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
24 of 86
Cameron Bailey, Joana Vicente and recipient of the TIFF Tribute Actor Award Joaquin Phoenix at the Tribute Gala on Sept. 9, 2019. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
25 of 86
Isabelle Huppert, left, and Mati Diop attend the TIFF Tribute Gala at The Fairmont Royal York Hotel on Sept. 9, 2019. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
26 of 86
Meryl Streep arrives for the premiere of The Laundromat on Sept. 9, 2019. GEOFF ROBINS/AFP/Getty Images
27 of 86
Antonio Banderas poses with a fan dressed as his character Zorro as he attends The Laundromat premiere on Sept. 9, 2019. Chris Pizzello/The Associated Press
28 of 86
Director Drake Doremus, Sebastian Stan and Jamie Dornan attend Hugo Boss presents Endings, Beginnings, on Sept. 8, 2019. Getty Images
29 of 86
Shamier Anderson and Shailene Woodley attend Hugo Boss presents Endings, Beginnings, on Sept. 8, 2019. The Globe and Mail
30 of 86
Actors Ray Romano and Allison Janney attend the Bad Education cocktail party at RBC House on Sept. 8, 2019. ERNESTO DiSTEFANO/AFP/Getty Images
31 of 86
Allison Janney and Catherine Curtin attend the Bad Education cocktail party at RBC House on Sept. 8, 2019. ERNESTO DiSTEFANO/AFP/Getty Images
32 of 86
Misha Handley and Danny DeVito attend The Song of Names cocktail party on Sept. 8, 2019. ERNESTO DiSTEFANO/AFP/Getty Images
33 of 86
Directors Francois Girard and Robert Lantos at The Song of Names cocktail Party at RBC House on Sept. 8, 2019. ERNESTO DiSTEFANO/AFP/Getty Images
34 of 86
Actress Sarah Paulson takes selfies with fans on her way to The Goldfinch premiere at on Sept. 8, 2019. VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images
35 of 86
Luke Wilson attends the Audi Canada post-screening event for The Goldfinch at Don Alfonso 1890 on Sept. 8, 2019. The Globe and Mail
36 of 86
Fiona Weir and John Crowley attend the Audi Canada post-screening event for The Goldfinch at Don Alfonso 1890 on Sept. 8, 2019. The Globe and Mail
37 of 86
Actress Scarlett Johansson at the Marriage Story premiere on Sept 8, 2019. GEOFF ROBINS/AFP/Getty Images
38 of 86
Actor Adam Driver signs autographs before stepping on the red carpet for Marriage Story on Sept. 8, 2019. Tijana Martin/The Canadian Press
39 of 86
Ray Romano arrives for the gala premiere of Bad Education on Sept. 8, 2019. Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press
40 of 86
Welsh actor Aneurin Barnard attends The Goldfinch premiere on Sept. 8, 2019. VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images
41 of 86
Nicole Kidman attends The Goldfinch premiere on Sept. 8, 2019. Amy Sussman/Getty Images
42 of 86
Canadian actor Finn Wolfhard attends The Goldfinch premiere on Sept. 8, 2019. VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images
43 of 86
Leonardo DiCaprio attends the premiere for And We Go Green on Sept. 8, 2019. Evan Agostini/The Associated Press
44 of 86
Jennifer Lopez arrives for the gala premiere of Hustlers on Sept. 7, 2019. Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press
45 of 86
Jennifer Lopez and David Foster arrive for The Hollywood Foreign Press Association and The Hollywood Reporter's TIFF party at the Four Seasons Hotel on Sept. 7, 2019. Evan Agostini/The Associated Press
46 of 86
Actress Julia Stiles speaks to reporters at the premiere of Hustlers on Sept. 7, 2019. GEOFF ROBINS/AFP/Getty Images
47 of 86
Nicole Kidman attends The Hollywood Foreign Press Association and The Hollywood Reporter's TIFF party at the Four Seasons Hotel on Sept. 7, 2019. Evan Agostini/The Associated Press
48 of 86
Actress Kerry Washington arrives for the Hollywood Reporter and the Hollywood Foreign Press Associations TIFF party at the Four Seasons Hotel on Sept. 7, 2019. VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images
49 of 86
Sarah Paulson and Dakota Johnson attend The Hollywood Foreign Press Association and The Hollywood Reporter party at Four Seasons Hotel on Sept. 7, 2019. Vivien Killilea/Getty Images
50 of 86
Bryce Dallas Howard, left, and Felicity Jones attend The Hollywood Foreign Press Association and The Hollywood Reporter party at the Four Seasons Hotel on Sept. 7, 2019. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
51 of 86
Isabelle Huppert attends The Hollywood Foreign Press Association and The Hollywood Reporter's TIFF party at the Four Seasons Hotel on Sept. 7, 2019. Evan Agostini/The Associated Press
52 of 86
Imogen Poots attends The Hollywood Foreign Press Association and The Hollywood Reporter's TIFF party at the Four Seasons Hotel on Sept. 7, 2019. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
53 of 86
Icon Award Presentation with Dame Anna Wintour, left, and Joana Vicente, executive director and co-head TIFF, at the Four Seasons Hotel on Sept. 6, 2019. Ryan Emberley/Handout
54 of 86
Actress Dakota Johnson poses with fans at the premiere of The Friend on Sept. 6, 2019. Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press
55 of 86
Jason Segel takes photos with fans at the premiere for The Friend on Sept. 6, 2019. Evan Agostini/The Associated Press
56 of 86
Dakota Johnson arrives at The Friend world premiere party hosted by World Class at Kost on Sept. 6, 2019. Sonia Recchia/Getty Images
57 of 86
Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx attend the AT&T and Audi Canada post-screening event for Just Mercy at Fermenting Cellar on Sept. 6, 2019. GP Images/Handout
58 of 86
Brie Larson arrives for the gala premiere of the film Just Mercy on Sept. 6, 2019. Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press
59 of 86
Rob Morgan takes to the air as he arrives for the gala premiere of the film Just Mercy on Sept. 6, 2019. Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press
60 of 86
Jamie Foxx arrives for the gala premiere of Just Mercy on Sept. 6, 2019. Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press
61 of 86
Michael B. Jordan arrives for the gala premiere of Just Mercy on Sept. 6, 2019. Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press
62 of 86
Antonio Banderas attends the Pain And Glory premiere at Ryerson Theatre on Sept. 6, 2019. Amy Sussman/Getty Images
63 of 86
Dean, left, and Dan Caten attend eOne Best of the Fest TIFF 2019 Celebration at Arcane on Sept. 6, 2019. Brian de Rivera Simon/Getty Images
64 of 86
Susan Sarandon arrives for a gala presentation of Blackbird on Sept. 6, 2019. MARIO ANZUONI/Reuters
65 of 86
Sam Neill, Susan Sarandon and Rainn Wilson arrive for a gala presentation of Blackbird on Sept. 6, 2019. MARIO ANZUONI/Reuters
66 of 86
Actress Susan Sarandon attends the cocktail reception for the world premiere of Blackbird at the Nordstrom Supper Suite on Sept. 6, 2019. VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images
67 of 86
Olivia Cooke, left, and Riz Ahmed attend the Sound Of Metal premiere on Sept. 6, 2019. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
68 of 86
Sophie Nélisse, left, Katie Bird Nolan, Aisling Chin-Yee, Heather Graham, Lindsay Tapscott and Jodi Balfour attend The Rest Of Us premiere on Sept. 6, 2019. Robin Marchant/Getty Images
69 of 86
Neve Campbell attends the Castle In The Ground premiere on Sept. 5, 2019. Robin Marchant/Getty Images
70 of 86
William Woods, left, Joey Klein, Michael Solomon and Keir Gilchrist arrive at the Castle in the Ground world premiere party at Weslodge on Sept. 5, 2019. ERNESTO DiSTEFANO/Getty Images
71 of 86
Dev Patel arrives for a special presentation of The Personal History of David Copperfield on Sept. 5, 2019. MARK BLINCH/Reuters
72 of 86
Rosalind Eleazar arrives for a special presentation of The Personal History of David Copperfield on Sept. 5, 2019. Mark Blinch/Reuters
73 of 86
Aimee Kelly arrives for a special presentation of The Personal History of David Copperfield on Sept. 5, 2019. MARK BLINCH/Reuters
74 of 86
Hugh Laurie arrives for a special presentation of The Personal History of David Copperfield on Sept. 5, 2019. MARK BLINCH/Reuters
75 of 86
Musician Robbie Robertson, centre, arrives for the gala presentation of his biopic Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band on opening night on Sept. 5, 2019. MARIO ANZUONI/Reuters
76 of 86
Ronnie Hawkins, centre, arrives on the red carpet for the new movie Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band on Sept. 5, 2019. Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press
77 of 86
Director Ron Howard arrives for the opening night gala presentation of Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band on Sept. 5, 2019. VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images
78 of 86
Producers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer arrive for the gala presentation of the Robbie Robertson biopic Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band on TIFF opening night on Sept. 5, 2019. MARIO ANZUONI/Reuters
79 of 86
Martin Scorsese arrives for the gala presentation of the Robbie Robertson biopic Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band on Sept. 5, 2019. MARIO ANZUONI/Reuters
80 of 86
Director Daniel Roher and Kari Teicher arrive for the gala presentation of the Robbie Robertson biopic Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band on TIFF opening night on Sept. 5, 2019. MARIO ANZUONI/Reuters
81 of 86
Albina Kirenga, left, Amanda Mugabekazi, Belinda Rubango, and Clariella Bizimana, right, attend the Our Lady Of The Nile premiere on Sept. 5, 2019. Phillip Faraone/Getty Images
82 of 86
Actor Matthew Cardarople reacts as he arrives to a special presentation of the biopic about singer Helen Reddy, I Am Woman, on Sept. 5, 2019. MARK BLINCH/Reuters
83 of 86
TIFF Rising Star Kacey Rohl arrives for the gala presentation of the Robbie Roberston biopic Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band on the opening night on Sept. 5, 2019. MARIO ANZUONI/Reuters
84 of 86
TIFF Rising Stars Kacey Rohl and Shamier Anderson attend the opening night party at Shangri-La Hotel on Sept. 5, 2019. Amy Sussman/Getty Images
85 of 86
Gabe Polsky, left, and Justine Polsky attend the Red Penguins premiere on Sept. 5, 2019. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
86 of 86
The industry Open this photo in gallery: Noah Baumbach's Marriage Story, starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson, is one of the strongest American movies of the year, and the second-best feature ever produced by Netflix (after last year’s TIFF phenomenon, Roma). Courtesy of TIFF
The road to the Oscars begins at TIFF , and after the festival’s first weekend it was already clear which films will be blazing a road to potential Academy Awards (and even box-office) glory. One early predictor of Academy Award success is the TIFF People’s Choice Award , which this year went to JoJo Rabbit , a satire set during the Second World War about a German boy grappling with the reasons his mother is hiding a young Jewish girl in their attic.
What’s changed since the previous TIFF? Netflix and theatre owners are still battling over the length of time between a film’s opening in theatres and its release date on the streaming service – a battle that spilled over into a key festival venue , Cineplex’s Scotiabank Theatre, which didn’t screen any of the nine Netflix titles playing this year.
A year after TIFF signed the “50/50 by 2020” gender-equity pledge, among this year’s gala selections nine of 20 films are directed by women , while seven are stories where the protagonist or the ensemble is female.
Several Canadians to watch include Kazik Radwanski and Deragh Campbell , the director and star of the buzz-generating microbudget film Anne at 13,000 ft , and Indigenous writer-director-actor Elle-Maija Tailfeathers , who had two films at the fest this year. Director David Cronenberg says he may not make another film – and he’s perfectly fine with that.
As for the future of the Canadian industry, keep an eye on Telefilm Canada’s Talent to Watch program. The inaugural cohort of first-time directors selected last year for the microbudget program were awarded $125,000 each. Since then, The Globe has been tracking the progress of every production , including two especially driven and lucky teams who secured a premiere at TIFF.
This guide was compiled by Lori Fazari, with reports from Barry Hertz, Kate Taylor, Brad Wheeler, Simon Houpt, Johanna Schneller, Nolan Bryant, Sarah Hagi, Kelsey Adams and Nathalie Atkinson.