TIFF’s Centrepiece returns with 55 films from nearly 50 countries, showcasing world premieres and international standouts redefining global storytelling

As the Toronto International Film Festival gears up for its landmark 50th edition, TIFF has unveiled the official lineup for its 2025 Centrepiece programme — a global showcase of cinematic voices pushing boundaries and reshaping the international film conversation. Spanning nearly 50 countries, this year’s selection features 55 films from established auteurs and breakout talents alike, cementing Centrepiece’s role as a vital platform for world cinema.

Returning to celebrate the richness of storytelling across borders, this year’s Centrepiece programme features works from acclaimed directors including Richard Linklater, Jan Komasa, Christian Petzold, Pietro Marcello, Anders Thomas Jensen, and Álvaro Olmos Torrico. With films in the slate hailing from Bolivia, Brazil, Chad, Taiwan, France, Kenya, Iraq, Poland, and beyond, the program is a testament to TIFF’s ongoing commitment to diverse and global filmmaking.

Among the major highlights is the world premiere of ‘Good Boy’, a tense thriller from Corpus Christi director Jan Komasa, starring Stephen Graham, Andrea Riseborough, and Anson Boon. Komasa’s film explores identity and surveillance through the lens of a society unraveling under the weight of paranoia and personal reinvention.

Another standout is ‘Blue Moon’, from indie legend Richard Linklater, which will make its North American premiereat TIFF. A romantic, melancholic meditation on creative regret and second chances, the film stars Ethan Hawke and Beanie Feldstein in what many are already calling one of Linklater’s most personal works.

19 of the titles will be making their world premieres in Toronto this September, including ‘Carolina Caroline’, an outlaw romance led by Samara Weaving and Kyle Gallner; ‘I Swear’, the inspirational true story of John Davidson and his journey with Tourette Syndrome; and ‘Erupcja’, a combustible love story set between Poland and the UK featuring Charli XCX in a breakout acting turn.

TIFF also continues to support Canadian voices with premieres of ‘Blood Lines’ by Gail Maurice, ‘Space Cadet’ from Kid Koala, and ‘Follies’ by Eric K. Boulianne. Internationally, standouts include ‘Miroirs No. 3’ by Christian Petzold (Germany), ‘Duse’ by Pietro Marcello (Italy/France), and ‘The Last Viking’ by Anders Thomas Jensen (Denmark/Sweden).

Centrepiece has 19 world premieres including:

Blood Lines, Gail Maurice’s sophomore feature, a pastoral drama of family and reconnection
Carolina Caroline, directed by Adam Carter Rehmeier, an outlaw romance starring Samara Weaving and Kyle Gallner
Erupcja, directed by Pete Ohs, features a combustible chemistry between a Polish florist (Lena Góra) and a British tourist (Charli xcx)
Good Boy, by Jan Komasa, a twisted thriller about freedom and identity, starring Stephen Graham, Andrea Riseborough, and Anson Boon
I Swear, from Kirk Jones, the inspirational true story of John Davidson, a trailblazer whose honesty and humour helped the world better understand what it means to live with Tourette Syndrome
Nomad Shadow, Eimi Imanishi’s poignant debut feature about a refugee to Spain who’s forced to return to Western Sahara
Palimpsest: the Story of a Name, from Mary Stephen (Shades of Silk), a deeply personal story about her family’s complicated history and their Western surname
Saipan, from filmmakers Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Barros D’Sa, about a rift between star player Roy Keane and manager Mick McCarthy on the eve of the 2002 World Cup, starring Éanna Hardwicke and Steve Coogan
The Condor Daughter, from Álvaro Olmos Torrico, about a young woman who inherits the sacred art of midwifery but dreams of conquering the city with her voice
The Cost of Heaven, a film from Quebec’s Mathieu Denis (whose TIFF ’16 film Those Who Make Revolution Halfway Dig Their Own Graves was awarded that year’s Best Canadian Feature), starring French actor Samir Guesmi
The President’s Cake, from a multiple award winner at Cannes, Iraqi filmmaker Hasan Hadi, a heartbreaking and unforgettable look at a country crushed by poverty and international sanctions — and ruled by a sadistic, greedy and vain tyrant
Unidentified, the latest from Saudi Arabian director Haifaa Al Mansour (Wadjda), an iconoclastic crime thriller that questions our collective fascination with tales of femicide
Wasteman, Cal McMau’s debut feature, which peels back the conventions of the prison drama, featuring rising star David Jonsson (Alien: Romulus)
Whitetail, from Dutch filmmaker Nanouk Leopold, a slow-burn thriller with a haunting performance from Natasha O’Keeffe (Peaky Blinders)
Youngblood, directed by Hubert Davis, starring Blair Underwood and Shawn Doyle, and co-written by the late Charles Officer, is a powerful tribute to the Toronto filmmaker, and a reimagining of the original 1986 film

Hear from Diana Cadavid, International Programmer Latin America, Spain, Portugal:

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“This is a defining year for Centrepiece — not only because it marks TIFF’s 50th edition, but because it reminds us of cinema’s role as a bridge across cultures and ideologies,” said Jason Anderson, TIFF’s new Lead Programmer for Canada. “These films are inventive, politically daring, emotionally expansive, and boldly original.”

Centrepiece continues to serve as a launchpad for festival favorites and major international premieres that resonate across the fall awards circuit. With new talents, cinematic reimaginings, and urgent political voices, TIFF’s 2025 Centrepiece lineup is a clear reflection of a film world in flux — and in full creative bloom.

The 50th Toronto International Film Festival

from September 4–14, 2025

| FEATURES | INTERVIEWS | REVIEWS | VIDEOS | TRENDING | TRAILERS |

Park City Mugshots from the Sundance Film Festival circa 2007. A series done by Jane Magazine, each star was asked… “What crime would land you in jail?” 📸✨🚨

📸: @jasonwallacestudio @sundanceorg

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The 50th Toronto International Film Festival is shaping up to be one of the boldest lineups in years. Across Gala Presentations and Special Presentations, auteurs and risk-takers collide, bringing world premieres and long-awaited visions to the scree

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Trailers

ANEMONE ( 2025) | Official Trailer [HD] | Daniel Day-Lewis, Sean Bean, Samantha Morton

A reclusive hermit is reluctantly drawn back into his fractured family when his estranged brother arrives—uncovering buried secrets, violence, and the fragile ties of blood.

The teaser reveals Daniel Day-Lewis as Ray Stoker, a solitary figure living in the remote woods of Northern England. His quiet life is disrupted when his brother (played by Sean Bean) appears—forcing a reunion that peels back layers of trauma, estrangement, and unspoken violence. The tone is contemplative and emotionally crushing, emphasizing mood over spectacle. Co-written by Day-Lewis alongside his son Ronan—who also signs his feature directorial debut—Anemone marks Day-Lewis’s return to the screen and invites reflection on legacy, guilt, and family redemption.

The Choral - Official Trailer - Only In Cinemas November 7

In wartime Yorkshire, a choir teacher rallies a group of teenagers and veterans to forge community and hope through music amidst the chaos of 1916.

The teaser unfolds in Ramsden, Yorkshire, where World War I rages. With men enlisted or absent, Dr. Guthrie (Ralph Fiennes) assembles a makeshift choral society composed of injured veterans and spirited teenagers to perform Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius. Layered with emotional humor and heartfelt camaraderie, the trailer highlights how harmony and purpose emerge through song despite the grim backdrop of war. Written by Alan Bennett and directed by Nicholas Hytner. In cinemas November 7, 2025.

Regretting You | Official Trailer (2025)- McKenna Grace, Mason Thames, Allison Williams, Dave Franco

A tragic accident shatters a mother-daughter equilibrium, revealing buried secrets and turning grief into a challenging path toward healing and unexpected connections.

The trailer follows Morgan (Allison Williams) and her teenage daughter Clara (McKenna Grace) as they grapple with the sudden loss of their husband/father. Strained apart by grief, a startling family revelation—hinted through emotional flashpoints and silent anguish—forces them to confront betrayal, shift their perceptions, and reforge their bond. Amid this emotional upheaval, Clara’s relationship with her classmate Miller (Mason Thames) and a complex reconnection with Jonah (Dave Franco) add layers of love, loyalty, and forgiveness. The tone is a poignant blend of heartbreak and hope.

If I Had Legs I'd Kick You | Official Trailer HD | A24

A mother teeters on the edge as life unravels: her child is gravely ill, her home collapses, and her coping mechanisms fray. Everything appears “under control”—but the trailer tells a different story.

The teaser plunges us into Linda’s escalating anxiety: juggling caregiving, a decaying home, and a motel stay. Each fragment—broken ceilings, draining coffee, clinical relationships—brings piercing dread. Rose Byrne’s Linda delivers one haunting line (“Everything is under control”) amid chaos that’s far from contained. With Conan O’Brien as her dispassionate therapist and A$AP Rocky as a mysterious motel neighbor, the trailer delivers tense realism wrapped in dark, wry comedy.

The Paper | Official Trailer | Peacock Original

The iconic documentary crew from The Office follows a new target—the quirky staff of a struggling Toledo newspaper—offering fresh satire in a familiar mockumentary style.

In the teaser, the same film crew that captured Scranton at Dunder Mifflin directs its lens toward the Toledo Truth-Teller. Domhnall Gleeson stars as Ned, a well-meaning but overwhelmed editor determined to revive the local paper with a team of enthusiastic yet inexperienced reporters. Oscar Martinez (Oscar Nuñez) turns up reluctantly behind the desk, muttering “Not again.” The tone blends awkward humor, media satire, and workplace eccentricity while honoring The Office’s legacy.

RENTAL FAMILY | Official Trailer | Searchlight Pictures

A down-on-his-luck American actor in Tokyo takes a role with a “rental family” agency—pretending to be a client’s relative starts as performance, but deepens into unexpected emotional connection.

The teaser unfolds with Brendan Fraser’s character reluctantly stepping into the bizarre world of Tokyo’s rental family industry—serving as a stand-in husband, father, or brother. Initially there to play a role, he gradually forms authentic bonds, especially with a young girl named Mia, challenging what’s real and what’s acting. The trailer masterfully balances heartfelt warmth, playful quirkiness, and emotional depth as he rediscovers belonging through performance.

The Thursday Murder Club | Official Trailer | Netflix

Four retired sleuths trade bridge and bingo for murder investigations—only to stumble into a real crime on their doorstep. The Thursday Murder Club starts streaming on Netflix August 28, 2025 (with select UK theaters from August 22).

The trailer introduces a charming yet sharp quartet living in a British retirement village: a former spy, union leader, psychiatrist, and nurse. They pass the time solving cold cases for fun—until they encounter a genuine murder involving a developer and a cryptic photograph. With wry humor, warm camaraderie, and cheeky British wit, the film teases both cozy laughs and intriguing mystery. The teaser also reveals that each member becomes a suspect, adding tension to their amateur detective game.

Swiped | Official Trailer | Hulu

An audacious digital revolution takes shape when recent college grad Whitney Wolfe confronts misogyny at Tinder—only to launch a female-first dating app and spark a movement. Swiped premieres September 19, 2025, on Hulu (Disney+ internationally).

The trailer opens on Whitney in the male-dominated tech startup scene, watching the rampant problem of unsolicited explicit messages—“pervasive dick pics”—go unaddressed. After reporting is dismissed, she is sidelined by the company she helped build. Undeterred, Whitney embarks on her own bold mission: “We need to change the rules of online dating,” she declares as she founds Bumble, where women make the first move. The footage balances raw indignation and pioneering grit, tracing the arc of empowerment, resistance, and transformation in the digital age.

NUREMBERG | Official Teaser (2025)

A disturbing psychological chess match between a U.S. Army psychiatrist and Nazi leadership—NUREMBERG is a gripping historical drama headed for theaters November 7, 2025.

The teaser opens with somber tones and courtroom imagery as psychiatrist Douglas Kelley is sent to evaluate Nazi war criminals—most notably Hermann Göring. What begins as professional duty spirals into tension: Kelly and Göring engage in a chilling mental duel behind prison bars, as prosecution led by chief prosecutor Robert H. Jackson ramps up. With brief but powerful visuals, the trailer underscores themes of justice, evil’s banality, and moral reckoning. It’s framed with urgency: “The world will bear witness…” signaling the scale and stakes of one of history’s defining trials.

Queen Of Bones | Official Trailer (HD) | Vertical

In 1930s rural Oregon, twin siblings confront folklore and grief as they seek the truth behind their mother’s death—Queen of Bones arrives in theaters August 1, 2025.

The trailer introduces Lily and Sam, young twins living with their widowed father Malcolm on an isolated homestead. After discovering an arcane spellbook in the cellar, the siblings begin questioning their mother’s mysterious death and whether their father harbors supernatural ties. Atmospheric visuals—mist-shrouded woods, flickering lanterns, shadowy interiors—evoke haunting folklore and slow-burn dread. As Lily’s emerging psychic abilities awaken, tension grows: their journey into the unknown becomes a confrontation with grief, family secrets, and the unexplainable. Few words, but a palpable unease pervades the cinematic tone.

American Sweatshop Exclusive Trailer (2025)

A social media moderator’s moral boundaries break as she becomes obsessed with a disturbing video—and those who blurred the lines behind it. American Sweatshop premieres September 19 via streaming and theaters.

The teaser introduces Daisy Moriarty, a content moderator (Lili Reinhart), whose days are spent blinking through flag queues and disturbing clips. When she encounters a video she believes contains real violence—not merely staged fetish content—her obsession pushes her past company rules. As she investigates unsanctioned leads, the psychological toll of moderating the darkest corners of the internet becomes deadly. Stuck between professional quotas and personal justice, she must decide: is holding someone accountable worth risking everything? The tone is minimalist yet haunting—a morality play set in the digital underworld.

Twinless (2025) Official Trailer - Dylan O’Brien, James Sweeney, Aisling Franciosi

After losing his twin brother, a grieving man forms a complicated bond at a support group for twinless twins—Twinless is a darkly inventive comedy-drama arriving in theaters September 5, 2025.

The trailer introduces Roman (Dylan O’Brien) navigating the aftermath of his identical twin’s death, haunted by grief and identity loss. At a bereavement support group, he meets Dennis (James Sweeney), another twin survivor. Their friendship blossoms into intense dependency, offering solace—but when Roman meets Dennis’ coworker Marcie (Aisling Franciosi), unsettling secrets surface.

A tonal shift mid-trailer reveals the story’s unexpected layers—a Hitchcockian edge emerges amid awkward humor, identity complexity, and emotionally raw revelations. Themes of masculinity, trauma, and connection are explored with both discomfort and empathy. The filmmaking is emotionally precise, surprising, and darkly funny. Viewed at Sundance, where Twinless won the Audience Award and O’Brien earned a Special Jury acting prize, the film impressed critics with its daring emotional honesty and sharp framing.

TIFF 2025 Centrepiece Programme Spotlights Global Cinema, Richard Link later, Jan Komasa, and More