Being Heumann to Open Toronto International Film Festival

Oscar-winning filmmaker Siân Heder will make her long-awaited return to the big screen this autumn, with her latest feature Being Heumann officially announced as the Opening Night Film for the 51st Toronto International Film Festival.

The Apple Original drama will receive its world premiere on 10 September, launching this year’s festival before screenings continue through to 20 September. The announcement marks Heder’s first feature since CODA, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2022.

Based on the memoir of late disability rights activist Judith Heumann, Being Heumann stars Ruth Madeley in the lead role, alongside Mark Ruffalo, Dylan O’Brien, Rob Delaney and Ray Fisher. The film chronicles Heumann’s leadership during the landmark 28-day Section 504 sit-in in San Francisco in 1977, a protest that proved pivotal in advancing disability rights legislation in the United States.

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In a statement, TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey praised the film as Heder’s “inspiring follow-up” to CODA, highlighting Madeley’s “electric performance” portraying a “world-changing advocate for accessibility”.

TIFF also unveiled two additional Gala Presentations set to premiere during the festival: Prima Facie, directed by Susanna White and starring Cynthia Erivo, and The Assassin(s) from South Korean filmmaker Hur Jin-ho. More programme announcements are expected in the coming weeks as anticipation builds for one of the film industry’s most influential festivals.