Awards

Toronto Film Festival Announce Key Screenings

Published

8 years ago

Jul 26, 2016

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) have unveiled their lineup of galas and special presentations, and as usual the schedule is littered with award season hopefuls looking to launch their campaigns.

Opening the festival, which runs from 8-18 September, is Antione Fuqua’s The Magnificent Seven starring Chris Pratt and Denzel Washington. However, all eyes will be on the reception of some highly-hyped Oscar hopefuls including The Birth of a Nation, Loving, Lion, Manchester by the Sea and La La Land.

Toronto is seen as the first proving ground, and a major tryout, for studios’ prospective award champions, so a good reception here is key.

VISIT TIFF FOR THE FULL LINEUP

Of course the festival can also end an awards campaign just as rapidly as it launches it, and there are plenty of worthy films ready to step into the spotlight. Arrival and Deepwater Horizon are already being talked about, while Elle is the vehicle to Isabelle Huppert’s leading actress nomination.

Other films to watch out for include Rob Reiner’s LBJ, which may carry more impact in an election year (not a coincidence) and Oliver Stone, who is hoping his biopic of Edward Snowden connects. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is an imminent nominee, so he may be able to lead the way for Snowden to reach the Oscars.

Whether or not you buy into the festival thing, Toronto maintains credibility as an independent showcase of Hollywood’s finest by distancing itself from the awards game. Ironically, this serves it well as an arbiter of potential awards favourites. Nonetheless, its lineup is predictably compelling and the inevitable talking point of the film world throughout late September.