I’m married to a film and screenwriting major, which means there’s a lot of movie-watching in this house — and I love every second of it. But before meeting him, I’d never even considered going to a film festival. Growing up in a small-ish town, we didn’t have anything close. Once I moved to the big city and met that cool guy, it opened my eyes to the magic of seeing films debut from all over the world.
I’ve been a Torontonian for seven years, and with our film festival right around the corner, I thought it’d be fun to look back at which beloved films had their big break at the Toronto International Film Festival — aka TIFF. I was pretty proud (and honestly delighted) to realize that some of the biggest Oscar-buzz films had their humble beginnings right here, in the city I call home. So without further ado, let’s take a walk down memory lane and see where these iconic films got their start…
1.
Even though Black Swan went on to earn five Academy Award nominations — including Natalie Portman’s Best Actress win — its North American premiere happened at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2010. Directed by Darren Aronofsky, this psychological thriller about a ballerina’s obsessive training and descent into madness gets under your skin, all with a Toronto kick start.
2.
This Stephen Hawking biopic is guaranteed to get the tears flowing. Eddie Redmayne proved himself as a once-in-a-generation actor with his Oscar-winning performance in The Theory of Everything. Though the film went on to earn five Academy Award nominations, it first debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2014.
3.
The 2005 Pride & Prejudice is one of my all-time favourite movies. It’s hard to imagine it having humble beginnings, but this version truly changed the world — OK, maybe just my world. Still, it premiered at TIFF in 2005, and by 2006, it had already earned four Oscar nominations. I know it’s not just me.
4.
The King’s Speech has everything that makes a great film. Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, and Geoffrey Rush are already a strong start — but add a sharp script, stunning costumes, and impeccable set design, and you’ve got a 12-time Oscar nominee with four wins. Hard to believe it all began by the CN Tower at TIFF in 2010.
5.
If you want Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto, and Jennifer Garner to rip your heart out, watch Dallas Buyers Club. What you might not know is that it got its big break at TIFF in 2013. Supposedly, the film ended with a standing ovation — no wonder it went on to earn six Oscar nominations and take home three wins.
6.
I remember when Silver Linings Playbook came out — everyone was stunned by the nuances of that love story, with audiences hanging on every word. Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence are great separately, but pure magic together. The film went on to receive eight Oscar nods, with our girl, Jennifer, winning Best Actress. It debuted at TIFF in 2012 and even took home the TIFF People’s Choice Award.
7.
Although Chariots of Fire had its world premiere at Cannes, its North American premiere was at TIFF in 1981. Even if you haven’t seen the film, you’ve definitely heard the soundtrack — it’s unforgettable. The piano, the synth, the reverb on those drums…pure magic. In fact, the film ultimately won an Oscar for its music, along with three other Academy Awards out of eight nominations.
8.
Argo clearly did something right. With seven Oscar nominations and three wins — including Best Picture — it’s impossible to deny that Bryan Cranston, Ben Affleck, John Goodman, and the rest of the team created something special. Directed by Affleck himself, the film had its big debut at TIFF in 2012.
9.
Questionable subject matter aside (and an actor we won’t name), American Beauty is one of those films that really sticks with you. It’s strange, haunting, and unforgettable — which explains its eight Oscar nominations and five wins, including Best Picture. And to think, it all started at TIFF in 1999, where it even took home the TIFF People’s Choice Award.
10.
Want to see more of Jeff Goldblum’s OG days? The Big Chill is the film. It debuted at TIFF in 1983, winning the festival’s People’s Choice Award before going on to earn three Oscar nominations — for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress for Glenn Close.
11.
Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans — a semi-autobiographical ode to filmmaking — made its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival before racking up seven Oscar nominations. Michelle Williams was impeccable (as always), and the film even went on to win TIFF’s People’s Choice Award.
12.
What can’t Keira Knightley do? Honestly. This Oscar-nominated queen can absolutely pull off a Victorian-era gown. Anna Karenina premiered at TIFF in 2012 before going on to win an Academy Award for Costume Design and earning three other nominations. This retelling of Leo Tolstoy’s classic is unmatched — and it all began right here in Ontario, Canada.
A few honourable mentions: while they didn’t debut at TIFF, both 12 Years a Slave and Slumdog Millionaire went on to win the festival’s People’s Choice Award. Both are incredible works, more than worthy of every Oscar nomination and accolade they received.
So, how many of these have you seen? Did you know they first found their footing in Toronto? I didn’t either. Drop your favourite in the comments, and if you’re heading to TIFF, tell me which films you’re most excited to see this year. As for me, I can’t wait to check out the horror movie Exit 8. It looks unnerving and goosebump-enducing, and I can’t freakin’ wait.
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