15 Must-See Films at Toronto International Film Festival
Introduction
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is one of the most highly anticipated events in the film industry, and this year is no exception. With big names like Chris Evans, Angelina Jolie, and Michaela Coel, the festival is already buzzing with excitement. But it's not just the star power that has people talking - it's the quality of the films being showcased. From the thought-provoking 'Testament of Ann Lee' to the thrilling 'Sacrifice,' there are 15 films that are generating a lot of buzz and have buyers circling at TIFF.
Key Details
One of the most talked-about films at TIFF is 'Testament of Ann Lee' directed by Chris Evans. This highly anticipated film tells the story of a young girl's journey to find her true identity. With its powerful message and exceptional performances, it's no surprise that buyers are already circling this film. Another film generating a lot of interest is 'Sacrifice' directed by Angelina Jolie. This highly anticipated thriller is set in a remote village in China and tells the story of a young boy's mysterious disappearance. With Jolie's stellar directing and a gripping plot, it's no wonder buyers are eagerly awaiting its release.
Impact
The success of these films at TIFF is not only important for the filmmakers and actors, but also
About the People Mentioned
Chris Evans
Christopher Robert Evans, born June 13, 1981, in Boston, Massachusetts, is an American actor, producer, and director renowned for his charismatic portrayals in superhero films and diverse dramatic roles.[1][2][3] He launched his career with television appearances like the 2000 series *Opposite Sex* and teen comedies such as *Not Another Teen Movie* (2001), before gaining notice as Johnny Storm/the Human Torch in *Fantastic Four* (2005) and its 2007 sequel.[1][2][4] Evans achieved global stardom portraying Steve Rogers/Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), starting with *Captain America: The First Avenger* (2011) and spanning ensemble hits including *The Avengers* (2012), *Avengers: Endgame* (2019), and others, grossing $11.4 billion worldwide as a leading actor and establishing him among the highest-paid and highest-grossing stars.[1][2][5] He initially hesitated on the role but accepted after encouragement from Robert Downey Jr.[2] Beyond comics, Evans delivered acclaimed performances in *Snowpiercer* (2013) as a rebel leader, *Gifted* (2017) as a guardian, and *Knives Out* (2019) as a spoiled heir in the box-office mystery.[3][4] His directorial debut was the 2014 romance *Before We Go*, which he also starred in and produced; he earned a Drama League Award nomination for his 2018 Broadway debut in *Lobby Hero*.[1][5] Recent credits include voicing Buzz Lightyear in *Lightyear* (2022), villain roles in *The Gray Man* (2022) and *Pain Hustlers* (2023), reprising Human Torch in *Deadpool & Wolverine* (2024), and *Red One* (2024).[3] In December 2025, Evans was announced to reprise Captain America in *Avengers: Doomsday* (2026), marking his MCU return and sustaining his relevance amid a versatile career with awards like MTV Movie & TV honors and Academy invitation in 2017.[2][5]
Angelina Jolie
<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> <title>Angelina Jolie: Actress, Director, and Humanitarian</title> <style> body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.6; max-width: 800px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 20px; } h1 { color: #333; } p { margin-bottom: 1em; } </style> </head> <body> <h1>Angelina Jolie: A Life in Film and Philanthropy</h1> <p>Angelina Jolie, born June 4, 1975, in Los Angeles, California, is an acclaimed American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian known for her edgy performances and global advocacy.[4] Daughter of actor Jon Voight, she rose to prominence with breakthrough roles, earning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress as a troubled mental patient in <em>Girl, Interrupted</em> (1999).[4] She gained widespread fame portraying Lara Croft in the <em>Tomb Raider</em> films, which sparked her interest in humanitarian work during filming in Cambodia.[3]</p> <p>Jolie's notable film roles include Mariane Pearl in <em>A Mighty Heart</em> (2007), earning a Golden Globe nomination, and the lead in <em>Changeling</em> (2008), which brought another Oscar nod.[1][4] She has directed films like <em>Unbroken</em> (2014) and <em>First They Killed My Father</em> (2017), showcasing her versatility behind the camera.[3] With over 30 films, she blends action, drama, and production talents.[2]</p> <p>Her humanitarian efforts define much of her legacy. Named a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2001, Jolie has completed over 40 field missions to refugee camps in more than 30 countries, advocating for refugees, conservation, education, and women's rights.[1][2][3] Appointed Special Envoy to UNHCR High Commissioner António Guterres in 2012, she founded organizations like the Jolie Legal Fellowship and donated millions through the Jolie-Pitt Foundation to causes including disaster relief and child health.[2][3] Honors include the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, an honorary Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George, and the Global Humanitarian Award.[1]</p> <p>Jolie is mother to six children, three adopted from Cambodia, Ethiopia, and Vietnam.[3][4] She remains relevant through ongoing UNHCR work, filmmaking, and advocacy for vulnerable children and human rights, transitioning her image from Hollywood rebel to global influencer.[3] (298 words)</p> </body> </html>
Michaela Coel
Michaela Coel, born Michaela Ewuraba Boakye-Collinson on October 1, 1987, in London, England, to Ghanaian parents, is a British actress, screenwriter, director, producer, and playwright.[1][2][3] She trained at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, where she faced racism but channeled those experiences into her work, including her breakthrough play *Chewing Gum Dreams* (2013), which transferred to major theaters like the National Theatre.[1][4][6] Coel's television career launched with a role in Channel 4's *Top Boy* (2013), followed by leading National Theatre performances in *Home* and *Medea*.[2][4][5] She created, wrote, starred in, and executive-produced the E4 sitcom *Chewing Gum* (2015–2017), playing Tracey Gordon, a young woman from a Pentecostal family navigating sexuality and identity in east London. The series earned her a BAFTA for Best Female Performance in a Comedy Programme, a BAFTA Breakthrough Talent award, and two Royal Television Society awards.[1][2][4] Her most acclaimed work, *I May Destroy You* (2020), a BBC/HBO comedy-drama, drew from her personal experience of sexual assault. Coel wrote, starred as Arabella Essiedu, co-directed, and executive-produced the series, which explored consent, trauma, and Black and LGBTQ+ experiences with raw honesty. It received widespread praise, topping Metacritic's 2020 reviews, and won her the BAFTA for Best Actress, three RTS Awards (including Best Female Actor and Best Writer), two Independent Spirit Awards, a Gotham Award, an NAACP Image Award, and a historic Emmy as the first Black woman to win Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series.[1][2][4][6] Other notable roles include *Black Mirror* (2016–2017), *Black Earth Rising* (2018) as Kate Ashby, the film *Been So Long* (2018), *Star Wars: The Last Jedi* (2017), and *Black Panther: Wakanda Forever* (2022).[2][3][5] Named to *Time*'s 100 Most Influential People (2020) and British Vogue's influential women list, Coel has advocated against industry racism and sexism, mentored emerging writers, and shared her scripts.[4][5] A Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL), she remains a vital voice in contemporary storytelling.[2]
