Frontmezzjunkies reports: TIFF announces first four Tribute Award honourees
The first four Tribute Award honourees were shared today by TIFF: Guillermo del Toro, Jodie Foster, HIKARI, and Lee Byung Hun.
Brendan Fraser has been announced as Honorary Chair for the annual awards gala taking place on Sunday, September 7. Rolex signs on as the exclusive Presenting Partner of this year’s Tribute Awards.
TORONTO – Cameron Bailey, CEO, TIFF, is delighted to announce the first group of honourees of the seventh annual TIFF Tribute Awards, celebrating outstanding contributions to cinema and serving as the kick-off to awards season. Academy Award–winning Mexican-born filmmaker Guillermo del Toro will receive the TIFF Ebert Director Award; two-time Academy Award winner and boundary-defying artist Jodie Foster will receive the TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award; award-winning Japanese writer, director, and producer HIKARI will receive the TIFF Emerging Talent Award; and award-winning South Korean actor Lee Byung Hun is the recipient of a TIFF Special Tribute Award, attending TIFF this year with the North American Gala premiere of Park Chan-wook’s “No Other Choice“. Academy Award–winning actor and 2022 Tribute Performer Award recipient Brendan Fraser will return to the Tribute Awards as the 2025 Honorary Chair. The seventh annual TIFF Tribute Awards will take place on Sunday, September 7, at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel.
“We’re thrilled to announce this year’s recipients, each of whom has left an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape: from the commanding talent of Lee Byung Hun; the visionary imagination of maestro Guillermo del Toro; the evocative storytelling of HIKARI; to the incomparable career of actor, filmmaker, and icon Jodie Foster. We’re honoured to welcome these exceptional artists to Toronto for the seventh annual Tribute Awards,” said Bailey. “We’re also delighted to welcome back Brendan Fraser, our 2022 Tribute Performer Award recipient, as this year’s Honorary Chair, a beloved artist and past honouree whose warmth, generosity, and passion for storytelling truly embody the spirit of our Festival.”
“I’m honoured to return to Toronto once again and to the TIFF Tribute Awards, this time not as a recipient, but as this year’s Honorary Chair,” said Fraser. “TIFF has been meaningful to me and to be in this role during the Festival’s landmark 50th edition is a privilege. TIFF continues to champion the kind of bold storytelling that brings people together, and I’m thrilled to celebrate this year’s Tribute recipients.”
The TIFF Tribute Awards gala is TIFF‘s largest annual fundraiser and a world-class celebration of cinematic excellence. Proceeds support TIFF’s 50th anniversary campaign, Transform Together, advancing TIFF’s talent development, honouring visionary artists, and deepening community impact. Presented in partnership with Rolex, with support from RBC, Don Julio, and Fairmont Royal York.
Film Announcement
TIFF will present the North American Premiere of Park Chan-wook’s “No Other Choice“, in which Byung Hun stars, as part of the Gala Presentations programme:
No Other Choice | Park Chan-wook | South Korea
North American Premiere | Gala
A view of a festival sign appears on day 1 of the Toronto International Film Festival, in Toronto
2018 TIFF, Toronto, Canada – 06 Sep 2018
New this year, Rolex has signed on as the exclusive Presenting Partner of the 2025 TIFF Tribute Awards. RBC, one of TIFF’s long-time Major Sponsors, is a new Supporting Partner. Don Julio and Fairmont Royal York are returning once again as Supporting Partners.
Rolex in Cinema
Rolex celebrates human achievement, recognizing the journey marked by milestones and
emotions that culminate in defining moments, determined by a path followed, not just an award. For more than half a century, Rolex has partnered with some of the world’s most talented artists and leading cultural institutions to celebrate excellence and promote the transfer of artistic heritage, creating a link between the past, present, and future. Through the Rolex Perpetual Arts Initiative, a broad portfolio of arts that extends through architecture, cinema, dance, literature, music, theatre, and visual arts, the company confirms its long-term commitment to global culture. In all these endeavours, Rolex supports distinction in the arts and the transmission of knowledge to future generations, who in turn pass on the world’s cultural legacy.
The 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, runs September 4–14, 2025. Stay tuned for more TIFF announcements by clicking here.
