The 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has been widely described as one of the most glamorous editions in the festival’s history, as the globally celebrated creative platform marked its 50th anniversary.
TIFF was first held in 1976 under the name Festival of Festivals, screening 127 films from 30 countries to an audience of about 35,000 people at the Windsor Arms Hotel in Toronto. Founded by Bill Marshall, Henk Van der Kolk, and Dusty Cohl, the festival was conceived as a showcase of standout films from major global festivals. It was officially renamed the Toronto International Film Festival in 1994.
Branded “Tiffty” to commemorate its golden jubilee, the 50th edition ran from September 4 to September 14, 2025, with screenings and events spread across key venues including TIFF Bell Lightbox, Roy Thomson Hall, Princess of Wales Theatre (Visa Screening Room), and the Royal Alexandra Theatre.
Organisers recorded more than 700,000 attendees, reinforcing TIFF’s status as one of the world’s most publicly attended film festivals. Over the 10-day period, 291 films were screened, drawing filmmakers, industry executives, critics, and film enthusiasts from around the globe.
Nigeria was notably represented at the milestone edition by acclaimed screen icon Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, who premiered her directorial debut, Mother’s Love, on September 6, 2025, at the TIFF Lightbox. The film marked her transition from acting to directing and explored themes of maternal resilience, grief, post-traumatic stress disorder, social inequality, and the complexities of mother-daughter relationships.
The premiere attracted distributors, sales agents, international delegates, and Nigerian filmmakers, many of whom praised Omotola’s storytelling depth and bold creative shift. She joined international peers such as Scarlett Johansson, who also unveiled her directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, at the festival.
Other high-profile premieres at TIFF 50 included works by Nico Pizzolatto, Baz Luhrmann, James McAvoy, and Anne Émond, further underscoring the festival’s global appeal and artistic diversity.
TIFF’s relationship with Nollywood is not new. In 2018, Genevieve Nnaji premiered her directorial debut, Lionheart, at the festival, returning again in 2023 with the co-produced film I Do Not Come to You by Chance. Nigerian participation at the 50th edition reinforced the country’s growing presence on the global film stage.
Beyond the screenings, TIFF’s anniversary celebrations extended into the city. Festival Street returned for its tenth year, transforming King Street West into a pedestrian-friendly cultural hub from September 4 to September 7. David Pecaut Square hosted open-air screenings and activities through September 13, while the CN Tower was illuminated in gold throughout the festival.
As TIFF marks five decades of cinematic influence, its 50th edition stands as a reflection of the festival’s evolution into one of the world’s most respected film platforms, one that continues to celebrate global storytelling while creating space for diverse voices, including those from Africa.
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