The Toronto International Film Festival launched its milestone 50th edition today with the world premiere of John Candy: I Like Me, a documentary paying tribute to the beloved Canadian comedian. Candy’s family joined executive producer Ryan Reynolds and director Colin Hanks on the red carpet, setting the tone for a festival that promises both nostalgia and star power.
Over the next 11 days, Toronto will host a parade of Hollywood talent, with Angelina Jolie, Keanu Reeves, Sydney Sweeney and Dwayne Johnson among the headliners expected to attend. The festival also marks the big-screen debut of U.K. pop star Charli XCX, starring in Erupcja, an indie drama premiering this afternoon about a British tourist swept into a turbulent romance with a florist, played by Polish actress Lena Góra.
To accommodate the festivities, several downtown streets—including parts of King Street West, John Street, Simcoe Street, Widmer Street, Duncan Street and Ed Mirvish Way—will be closed between September 4 and 8, with Pearl Street limited to local traffic only.
As the festival celebrates half a century of cinematic storytelling, this year’s lineup reflects both global star power and a distinctly Canadian tribute to one of comedy’s most cherished icons.