As fall approaches, we are looking to Canada, where the 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is starting. Many exciting new films will be screened and one will win the Platform Award, worth $20,000 CAD (approximately $14,500 USD).

We’re especially looking forward to directorial debuts, either by emerging filmmakers or by actors and other entertainment industry professionals. CreativeFuture CEO Ruth Vitale used to work in acquisitions, so we like to think we have developed our taste by hanging out with her over the years.

At the risk of not living up to her standards, we’re highlighting some of the films from TIFF that we’re excited about. Generously, Ruth is allowing us to air our views – but only because she thinks we might hone our judgment if we just keep trying! Something about “practice makes perfect”?

Directorial Debuts by Emerging Filmmakers

Mariam’s (Nadhira Mohamed) brother Alwali (Suleiman Filali) won’t let her in on his lucrative illegal drug business, and the women in her family resent her for leaving her homeland. She fled the conflict in Western Sahara 10 years ago, but she has to face the past and grapple with an impossible present after being deported back from Spain. Through Mariam’s story, director Eimi Imanishi explores the legacy of the Sahrawi people’s subjugation to Morocco and Mauritania in her debut feature, Nomad Shadow.

Celeste’s dreams come true when she’s assigned to a six-month space mission, but Robot loses his sense of purpose without anyone to care for at home. The animated feature Space Cadet tells a wordless yet emotional story, much like Academy Award® winner Flow. The promising new film is directed by the DJ Kid Koala, who also wrote the score and graphic novel of the same name.

Four teenage boys steal a news camera, and then they document themselves indulging in “a bit of the old ultra-violence” in Medellín, Colombia, during the 1990s. Barrio Triste recalls that turbulent time using found footage, showing how the experience of growing up becomes distorted by war and rampant crime. The film’s director, STILLZ, has previously made music videos for Bad Bunny.

Directorial Debuts by Celebrity Actors

The angel Gabriel (Keanu Reeves), bored of the texting-while-driving beat, longs to save some souls, so he makes gig worker Arj (Aziz Ansari) and tech investor Jeff (Seth Rogen) trade lives. Unfortunately, their paths to redemption aren’t so straightforward, landing Gabriel in hot water with head angel Martha (Sandra Oh). The LA-based satire Good Fortune is directed by Emmy®-winning comedian Aziz Ansari (Master of None).

When journalism student Nina (Erin Kellyman) interviews 94-year-old Eleanor (June Squibb) about surviving the Holocaust, it changes both of their lives. There’s just one problem: Eleanor’s story is technically true, but it belongs to her deceased friend Bessie (Rita Zohar). Of course, the truth comes out in Eleanor the Great, a directorial debut by Scarlett Johansson.

London-based rappers Silibil N’ Brains (Séamus McLean Ross) and Billy Boyd (Samuel Bottomley) can’t get a break, so they ditch their Scottish accents, move to California, and dupe an American music producer (James McAvoy). The aptly named California Schemin’ is based on a true story, and it looks like an auspicious debut for James McAvoy (The Last King of Scotland, Split, See No Evil).

Enjoy the Festival!

Those are the films that really caught our eye. We’re fretting that Ruth’s more discerning eye might have been drawn to additional titles …

For instance, Ugo Bienvenu’s Arco looks terrific! The Natalie Portman-produced animated feature is about time travelers trying to save the planet from environmental collapse. Especially since Ruth avidly follows both sci fi and animation, would she have picked it?

Or what about David Michôd’s biopic Christy, starring Sydney Sweeney as boxer Christy Martin? Never one to shy away from a fight, Ruth was recently talking about picking up martial arts … which is a terrifying thought.

Then there’s György Pálfi’s Hen. It stars eight different chickens in the title role. Ruth loves animals! So, she is bound to think that one looks interesting, right?!

We could go on. But we have to stop feeding the inner voice that calls us muttonheads. We’re sure we’ll hear it from the outside soon enough …

If your interest was piqued by any of the films we covered – seriously, even just one – then let us know in the comments! We can use all the support we can get. If you want to give a shout out to a film we didn’t cover, go ahead, too! We know that many more deserve to be on our list.

Thank you to the festival organizers for putting together another exciting program, with far more wonderful films than anyone could possibly describe in a single blog!