A scene from Mile End Kicks, a rom-com based on filmmaker Chandler Levack’s own experiences as a young music critic in Montreal.Supplied
One of the most anticipated Canadian films of the year is set to make its world premiere at the 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival.
Mile End Kicks, the buzzy new Montreal-set comedy from Canadian filmmaker Chandler Levack is among the first five “Special Presentation” titles scheduled to make their world debuts at this September’s TIFF. Levack previously made a splash at the festival in 2022 with her feature debut, I Like Movies.
The other four films revealed Thursday morning by TIFF organizers are the historical adventure, The Captive, from Chilean-Spanish director Alejandro Amenábar; Steven Soderbergh’s black comedy, The Christophers, starring Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel; Nia DaCosta’s Hedda, an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s play Hedda Gabler, starring Tessa Thompson and Nina Hoss; and the South Korean drama, Good News, from Sung-hyun Byun.
“These first five films of our official selection reflect the innovation, heart, and global perspective that have made our festival a home for great cinema over the past 50 editions,” said Cameron Bailey, chief executive of TIFF, in a statement.
John Candy documentary to open TIFF’s 50th edition in September
“We’re excited to kick-off our Special Presentations with Mile End Kicks from Chandler Levack, a young, Canadian director who has very close ties to TIFF, in addition to these established directors. We can’t wait to share more in the weeks ahead as we celebrate this historic year with audiences and filmmakers from around the world.”
The new feature from Levack, a regular contributor to The Globe and Mail’s arts pages, is a rom-com based on the filmmaker’s own experiences as a young music critic in Montreal circa 2011. The film, which is produced by Matthew Miller (BlackBerry), stars Barbie Ferreira (HBO’s Euphoria) alongside Canadian actors Devon Bostick and Jay Baruchel.
The five titles announced Thursday follow the announcement earlier this month that this year’s festival will open with the world premiere of Colin Hanks’s documentary, John Candy: I Like Me.
This year’s edition of TIFF should prove to be a pivotal one for the organization. Not only is the festival marking half a century of operations, but it is also laying the crucial groundwork for its official 2026 content market, the institution’s biggest initiative since it opened its five-screen Lightbox headquarters in 2010.
This year’s edition of TIFF will run Sept. 4-14, with more programming to be announced throughout the summer.
