We’re only about halfway through TIFF 2026, but the awards-season picture is already starting to shift. Some of the films that premiered in Toronto over the weekend have sparked a wave of Oscar chatter, with performances from Anthony Ippolito, Cynthia Erivo, Rosalind Eleazar and others suddenly pushing their way into the convo.
I Play Rocky
Peter Farrelly’s I Play Rocky tells the story behind one of Hollywood’s most famous underdogs. Anthony Ippolito plays a young Sylvester Stallone, who writes Rocky while struggling to break into Hollywood and then refuses to sell the screenplay unless studios agree to let him play Rocky Balboa himself. Stephan James (who we recently got up close and personal with), AnnaSophia Robb and Matt Dillon are also among the cast.
The film received a standing ovation at its world premiere in Toronto Saturday, and the Oscar talk followed quickly, with Ippolito’s uncanny performance as Stallone being singled out in reviews.
Torontonians still have another chance to see it during TIFF: I Play Rocky next screens Friday, Sept. 18 at 5:45 p.m. at TIFF Lightbox.
Misty Green
Rosalind Eleazar could be one of TIFF’s biggest breakout stories this year! Chris Rock wrote and directed Misty Green, which follows a once-successful actress whose Hollywood career has fallen apart as she desperately tries to land the job that could put her back on top. Eleazar stars alongside a well-known cast that includes Daniel Kaluuya, Adam Driver, Anna Kendrick, Topher Grace and Rock himself.
The movie opened at TIFF with some awards whispers already surrounding Eleazar, but the response to her performance has made them much louder. Variety called the film the best movie about Hollywood in years, while the Associated Press said Eleazar’s career-defining performance has earned early acclaim as a potential Best Actress nominee.
Misty Green screens again Friday, Sept. 18 at 12:10 p.m. at Scotiabank Theatre and Saturday, Sept. 19 at 3 p.m. at TIFF Lightbox.
Being Heumann
TIFF’s opening-night movie also has some serious awards pedigree behind it. Being Heumann is directed by Siân Heder, whose previous film CODA won Best Picture, and stars Ruth Madeley as pioneering disability rights activist Judy Heumann. The film follows Heumann and more than 100 activists during the landmark 1977 San Francisco protest demanding that the U.S. government enforce disability protections. Mark Ruffalo, Dylan O’Brien, Daniel Durant and Madeline Delp round out the supporting cast.
The movie was already positioned for an awards-season run even before TIFF began, but Madeley has come out as one of its most interesting Oscar possibilities. TIFF has called her a “breakout performance,” and Apple, the same studio that took Heder’s CODA to Best Picture, is behind the film (so yeah, expect big things heading into awards season).
Being Heumann returns to TIFF Lightbox Thursday, Sept. 17 at 10:45 a.m. and Saturday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m.
Prima Facie
Cynthia Erivo might be heading back into the Oscar conversation. The Wicked star takes the lead in Prima Facie, director Susanna White’s adaptation of Suzie Miller’s acclaimed stage play. Erivo plays Tessa, a brilliant London defence barrister who’s used to representing men accused of sexual assault, but her faith in the justice system is shattered after she is sexually assaulted herself. Daniel Ings, Noma Dumezweni and Toheeb Jimoh also appear.
The movie has drawn a somewhat divided response since its TIFF world premiere Sunday, but Erivo is still a clear awards draw. TIFF describes the film as being anchored by her “powerhouse performance,” so the role could give the three-time Oscar nominee another shot at the category.
Watch it for yourself and decide. There are two more TIFF screenings, Friday, Sept. 18 at 6:45 p.m. at Scotiabank Theatre and Saturday, Sept. 19 at 9 p.m.
Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother
Two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali could also have another awards-season performance on his hands. Writer-director Bassam Tariq’s Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother casts Ali as Latif, a devout Muslim father who also happens to be a contract killer. After his wife dies, Latif tries to leave his violent life behind and raise his children, only to find his past closing in around him. John Cho, Giancarlo Esposito, Tramell Tillman and Tiffany Boone round out the cast.
Ali was already being eyed as a possible Best Actor player heading into TIFF, and the Toronto premiere has only upped that conversation. The Guardian gave the film four stars and praised Ali at the centre of its unusual mix of action, grief and family drama, while awards site AwardsWatch said Ali was “superb” in the role following its world premiere. Ali has some history with Toronto, too: both Moonlight and Green Book, the movies that won him his two Oscars, played at TIFF.
The film has one more TIFF screening on Friday, Sept. 18 at 2:30 p.m. at the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre.
The Debut
Okay, we snuck in a sixth film. We’re giving The Debut an honorary spot because it technically didn’t make its world debut at TIFF.
Jesse Eisenberg’s darkly funny musical comedy had its world premiere at Telluride before arriving in Toronto, where its reception has only added to the awards chatter! Julianne Moore stars as Mona, a shy New Jersey housewife who lands a small role in a community theatre production and becomes increasingly consumed by acting, while Paul Giamatti plays the exasperated director trying to contain her newfound artistic obsession. Bernadette Peters and Halle Bailey also appear in the flick.
The Associated Press has called The Debut a major awards contender following its TIFF reception, and Moore’s performance is generating strong Best Actress buzz. The nomination would be Moore’s first at the Oscars since she won for Still Alice in 2015.
Torontonians can catch The Debut Monday, Sept. 14 at 8:45 p.m. at Scotiabank Theatre or Thursday, Sept. 17 at 2 p.m. at TIFF Lightbox.