Frontmezzjunkies reports: All-star Lineup for this Year’s In Conversation With…Series
The series includes Park Chan-wook, Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, Tessa Thompson, and Nia DaCosta.
TORONTO — With the festival hours away from beginning, I’m practically counting down to my first press screening. But that’s not all there is to the festival. I’m also eager to dive into some of the other things offered by TIFF’s programming that will go beyond the cinematic big screen into the broader realm of entertainment and industry influence. The In Conversation With… (ICW) series has become one of the festival’s highlights—an invaluable chance to hear from groundbreaking artists. This year, it’s set to feature conversations with international icons like Park Chan-wook, Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Tessa Thompson, alongside visionary voices like Nia DaCosta. They will actively share insights into their careers, craft, and creative journeys—intimate discussions that promise to deepen understanding of the art and industry behind the films. The 50th Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, runs September 4–14, 2025—an event I’m ready to immerse myself in, and see and take in all the cinematic treats it has to offer.
TIFF Next Wave presents the inaugural TIFF: Close-Up conversation with Project Y co-stars Han So-hee and Jun Jong-seo. Programmed specifically for TIFF’s Under-25 audience, this is an opportunity to hear from two of the most exciting global rising stars at this year’s Festival.
“As we mark TIFF’s 50th edition, our programming continues to reflect our belief that film and creative expression can spark dialogue, challenge perspectives, and build connection,” said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. “From intimate ICWs and a Close-Up event with today’s biggest stars, to events designed to elevate and celebrate creative communities, we’re proud to offer Festival goers opportunities to further engage.”
There is also the TIFF’s invite-only Black Excellence Brunch, now in its third year, presented by RBC, hosted at RBC House (Petros82), and supported by the Jamaica Tourist Board. This event is a vibrant celebration of the Black creative community, fostering connection, shared experience, and collective growth by bringing together both local and international voices. This year’s brunch will also shine a spotlight on the 30th anniversary and enduring legacy of Planet Africa, the groundbreaking Festival programme founded by Cameron Bailey in 1995.
Announced weeks ago, the Criterion Mobile Closet is also making its sixth stop and its Canadian debut as part of TIFF’s Festival Street, Sept 4–7. Open to the public, visitors are invited to explore its extensive collection of 1700 films and to make their very own Closet video. And if you miss your chance to visit, part of the collection and Criterion merchandise will be available in the TIFF Shop.
More info on: In Conversation With…
In Conversation With… Park Chan-wook, presented by The Korean Film Council
Director Park Chan-wook’s blend of striking visuals and masterful tension has cemented his status as one of contemporary cinema’s most influential auteurs. His elegant, genre-defying storytelling has consistently challenged cinematic conventions while exploring themes of obsession, morality, and the human psyche. Join us for a rare opportunity to hear Park Chan-wook, in conversation with Don McKellar, about the evolution of his craft, his impactful career, and the making of No Other Choice — a film co-written with McKellar, and an essential new addition to one of the most celebrated filmographies of the 21st century.
In Conversation With… Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is truly one of a kind: the professional wrestler turned movie superstar has a powerful connection with his global fan base, which includes diehard adult wrestling fans, young Maui devotees, and everyone in between. Johnson joins TIFF for an exclusive conversation about his journey from the ring to Hollywood, his work as a producer and co-owner of Seven Bucks Productions, and his creative collaboration with A24, Benny Safdie, and long-time friend and co-star Emily Blunt to bring the true story of MMA legend Mark Kerr to the big screen in The Smashing Machine.
In Conversation With… Ryan Reynolds, presented by Prime Video
Creator, producer, writer, actor, entrepreneur, and co-owner of one of the oldest football clubs in the world, Ryan Reynolds is a creative force in Hollywood and beyond. Recently named an Officer of the Order of Canada, Vancouver-born Reynolds is proudly Canadian with a healthy dash of global ambition. As TIFF opens the Festival with John Candy: I Like Me, Reynolds will discuss his work as a producer on the film, the influence of John Candy on his own career, and his work in front of and behind the camera at his company, Maximum Effort.
In Conversation With… Tessa Thompson and Nia DaCosta
Actor-producer Tessa Thompson and director-screenwriter Nia DaCosta discuss their bold new collaboration, Hedda, a striking reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s classic play Hedda Gabler. This intimate conversation will take audiences behind the scenes of one of the year’s greatly anticipated films, while delving into Thompson and DaCosta’s creative partnership and their respective careers. Join us for a revealing conversation about artistry, risk, and the power of creative collaboration.
More information on Close Up:
Close-Up (클로즈업): Han So-hee and Jun Jong-seo
The World Premiere of Lee Hwan’s highly anticipated Project Y is part of #TIFF50, and TIFF Next Wave is presenting a special Close-Up (in Korean: 클로즈업) event with film co-stars Han So-hee and Jun Jong-seo. So-hee and Jong-seo will speak about their friendship, creative collaboration on Project Y, and their respective journeys in the entertainment world, with special focus on their starring roles in such K-Pop music videos as Seven by Jung Kook and Derre by Bibi.
The 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, runs September 4–14, 2025. Click here for more information about TIFF.
