Elton John doc, Amy Adams dark comedy to premiere at Toronto Film Fest

Article content

A documentary about music legend Elton John and a dark comedy starring Amy Adams are among the titles having their world premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival this September.

Article content

The pair of films were among the first wave of titles announced by festival organizers as TIFF revealed some activities planned for this year’s 49th edition.

With Elton John: Never Too Late, the singer will pull back the curtain as he offers fans an intimate look on his life for the first time. Meanwhile, in the Marielle Heller-directed Nightbitch, the six-time Academy Award nominated Adams plays a stay-at-home-mom whose domestic life takes a surreal turn.

Other titles announced Tuesday morning included Woo Min-ho’s Harbin; Mike Flanagan’s adaptation of the 2020 Stephen King short story The Life of Chuck with Tom Hiddleston starring; the LeBron James produced coming-of-age basketball film Rez Ball; and DreamWorks Animation’s The Wild Robot.

Article content

Article content

“We know the TIFF audience has been eagerly anticipating what films will be coming to Toronto this September, and today’s announcement is a snapshot of what’s to come this year: a wonderfully wide range of titles that span genres and generations, with discoveries for everyone,” said the festival’s Chief Programming Officer, Anita Lee.

“TIFF is renowned for finding and showcasing works from both emerging and established filmmakers from all around the world, and for creating an unmatched groundswell of excitement, often paving the way for awards season, thanks to the hundreds of thousands of industry delegates and public filmgoers that attend each year. As we approach our 50th Festival, we are proud to evolve and expand our offerings to meet the needs of the industry and our audiences while always remaining true to what TIFF stands for — transforming the way people see the world through film.”

Article content

Alongside filmmaker David Cronenberg, who will be recognized with the Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award, Adams will be one of the recipients of the TIFF Tribute Performer Award at this year’s Gala.

“In the five years that TIFF has been honouring such standout talent as Joaquin Phoenix, Michelle Yeoh, Jessica Chastain, Chloe Zhao, Taika Waititi, and Ari Wegner on their road to further awards success, we’ve been inspired to watch our Tribute Awards gala grow into a must-attend event,” said TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey of the Awards Gala. “This year, we’re thrilled to welcome the incomparable Sandra Oh as the inaugural honorary Chair of the 2024 Tribute Awards. She joins our first-announced honourees, Amy Adams and David Cronenberg, in what promises to be another singular, sparkling night during the Festival. We’re grateful that artists of this stature will gather in Toronto to help TIFF turn the spotlight on increasing inclusion throughout our industry.”

Article content

“Returning to TIFF feels like coming home and I’m excited to serve as Honorary Chair for this year’s Tribute Awards,” said Oh. “Raising funds and awareness for representation and great storytelling is a passion of mine and why I’m so proud that the proceeds will go directly to Every Story Fund. Their mission to empower diverse voices aligns perfectly with my own, and I’m thrilled to be a part of this.”

The 49th Toronto International Film Festival takes place Sept. 5–15.

[email protected] 

Article content