TIFF 2025 to spotlight African voices as Festival Street marks 10th anniversary
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) will celebrate its 50th edition with a vibrant street party and expanded programming. From September 4–7, King Street West will become a pedestrian-only hub for the 10th annual Festival Street, showcasing film, art, food, and live entertainment. African filmmakers and diaspora voices will feature prominently in the milestone edition, which runs until September 14.
David Pecaut Square will serve as the community hub throughout the Festival, hosting free nightly outdoor screenings at 10 p.m., rain or shine. Featured classics include The Goonies, Uncle Buck, Sound of Metal, Before Sunrise, and Moonstruck. The CN Tower will glow gold hourly after sunset during the Festival, symbolizing TIFF’s golden anniversary.
The opening ceremony on September 4 begins with the unveiling of TIFF’s star on Canada’s Walk of Fame outside the TIFF Lightbox, followed by a public cake-cutting to welcome attendees. For the first time in Canada, the Criterion Mobile Closet will be featured, offering visitors access to over 1,700 films, with Criterion merchandise available at the TIFF Shop.
New Festival Street attractions include music zones curated by Billboard Canada and NXNE, the Corridoor by Maziart holographic red-carpet experience, and a 3D mural by artist Adrian Hayles celebrating TIFF’s People’s Choice Award winners. Performances from local acts like Brandan Duke, DJ Nina Brown, and Cozmic Cat will add to the festival atmosphere.
The Festival Street Art Market, in partnership with Toronto Film School, will highlight 14 community film festivals and arts groups, including Inside Out, Reel Asian, imagineNATIVE, and the Toronto Latin American Film Festival. African filmmakers are also encouraged to engage with these platforms, underscoring the continent’s growing role in global cinema.
Food lovers can look forward to a 60-foot sushi bar pop-up on September 5 at King and John Streets, serving free omakase by Yorkville chefs to celebrate the premiere of Still Single, a documentary on Michelin-starred chef Masaki Saito. Other brand activations include Rogers Beyond the Seat, RBC Red Carpet Gallery, Visa Infinite Studio, Campari Lounge, and Lavazza Festival Village.
TIFF has also partnered with the TTC for a free surprise screening of a TIFF 50 Official Selection on September 13 at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. Exclusive merchandise such as a limited-edition Roots jacket and TIFF 50 collectibles will be sold at the Lightbox Pop-Up Shop. A TIFF 50/50 fundraiser will guarantee a minimum jackpot of $50,000.
Presented by Rogers, the 50th Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 4–14, marking a new chapter for one of the world’s leading showcases of cinema.
