Top 10 Films to Ever Premiere at TIFF

Slumdog Millionaire is a drama film loosely based on the novel Q & A by Indian author Vikas Swarup and is among the most emotionally charged films to ever show at TIFF.

The film portrays an 18-year-old played by Dev Patel who finds himself on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, answering questions that trigger flashbacks to his troubled youth roaming the streets of Mumbai with his brother.

As one descends into a life of crime, the other’s path leads to full-circle realizations about life, family, and relationships, all taking place during an incredibly popular, high-stakes TV show broadcast to millions across the nation.

A true masterpiece from director Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire not only won the People’s Choice Award at TIFF, it went on to win eight Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director.

American Beauty is a psychological dark comedy-drama and certified cult-classic containing some of the most iconic performances from actors like Kevin Spacey, Chris Cooper, Wes Bentley, and Annette Bening, among others.

This film, while jarring and heart-wrenching at times, is also full of humour and irony, poking fun at social constructs and stereotypes of (then) modern American society.

Real estate agents, cheerleaders, dead-end jobs, and next-door-neighbours are American archetypes that legendary director Sam Mendes explores throughout the film, ultimately culminating in a tragic ending that shocked audiences and left them wanting for more.

American Beauty is one of the earliest examples of TIFF launching an Oscar juggernaut, with the film picking up five Oscar awards including Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Actor.

Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone put up two career-high performances in this retro-inspired romantic musical drama set in modern-day Los Angeles.

Mid-century aesthetics, classic jazz scores, and a love story that continues to yank at your heartstrings combine in this exploration of career ambition and romantic relationships, directed by Damien Chazelle.

A contemporary call-back to old Hollywood, La La Land is the tonic to your Blockbuster and action-movie hangover, and although it technically premiered at Venice Film Festival, it was TIFF that helped garner international acclaim.

La La Land would go on to win the People's Choice Award at TIFF and then Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Actress, and Best Original Score (among two other wins) at the Oscars in 2016.

This aesthetically spectacular film was all about mid-century style, with wardrobes reflecting the same themes. Channel your very own Ryan Gosling with crisp white dress shirts, tailored trousers, leather loafers, refined knitwear, and of course, a well-fitting suit.

Based on the powerful true story of Prince Albert, the former Duke of York, who suffered from a debilitating stammer and how he’s forced to overcome it and his fear of public speaking when he unexpectedly becomes King George VI of England during wartime.

Colin Firth delivers the performance of a lifetime in the starring role while Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter support to critical acclaim, with director Tom Hooper calling the shots from behind the camera.

Prince Albert, played by Firth, faces the pressure of leading Britain on the brink of World War II, all while undertaking his personal battle to overcome the stammer in his speech. After seeking help from a speech therapist, Prince Albert works towards the confidence of delivering a public address with the greatest of gravitas and magnitude.

Winner of the People’s Choice Award at TIFF, The King’s Speech would go on to win four Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.

You can’t make a movie about British royalty and not showcase the timeless elegance of Savile Row tailoring. Copy that same structured British tailoring look with sharp lines, heavyweight fabrics, and long overcoats.

Also based on a true story, 12 Years a Slave follows the journey of Solomon Northrup, a free Black man and musician living in upstate New York in the 1840s, set during the period of time preceding the Civil War.

After being kidnapped and then sold as a slave to a malevolent owner in the south of the United States, Northrup is subjected to over a decade of abuse, forced labour, and cruel treatment, though never loses hope of his wish to be free.

Northrup, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, maintains his dignity and humanity until his chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist in his 12th year as a slave, who ultimately helps change Northrup’s life forever after.

Also a winner of TIFF’s People’s Choice Award, director Steve McQueen and his all-star cast would go on to earn the film three Oscar awards including Best Picture.

This (arguably) romantic (most definitely) comedic film follows Miles, a struggling writer and wine enthusiast who takes his engaged friend Jack on a trip through California wine country as a final send-off before his wedding, though both with very different intentions of the trip.

Miles, played by Paul Giamatti, wants nothing other than to enjoy the fruits of one of the world’s best wine-producing regions while Jack, played by Thomas Haden Church, seeks one last romantic fling before he’s married.

Before long, the pair find themselves entangled with friends Stephanie (Sandra Oh) and Maya (Virginia Madsen), who are happy to participate in the weekend’s festivities until it’s mistakenly revelead to them that Jack is soon-to-be-married.

High-stakes risks, cringe-worthy moments, and hours of laughter are guaranteed, with director Alexander Payne guiding this film towards one Oscar win and five nominations, creating an ever-memorable fan-favourite film in the meantime.

An undeniable classic, Brokeback Mountain is one of the most iconic films of all time. The story, set in 1963 Wyoming, follows ranch hand Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and rodeo cowboy Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal), who are hired by a rancher to herd sheep through Brokeback Mountain.

The pair strike up a friendship that turns into something more when one night, Jack and Ennis become physically romantic with one another. Although both men go on to marry women and lead separate lives, both maintain a sporadic-yet-passionate relationship embroiled in themes of longing, secrecy, and repressed love.

Despite time, distance, and cultural intolerance, Jack and Ennis’ tortured affair spans on and off for over 20 years. Considered a landmark film in queer cinema, Brokeback Mountain continues to stand as a symbol of excellence despite its controversy and criticisms from certain ignorant audiences.

The 2005 film would go on to win three Oscars including Best Director for Ang Lee alongside Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score.

Western style never really goes away, though It's firmly back in style in recent years. Embrace the wild west aesthetic with plaid patterns, denim fabrics, and accessories with western details, such as hats, belts, or even a bolo tie.

Also directed by Ang Lee just a few years prior to Brokeback Mountain is the romantic drama martial arts film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which takes place in 19th century China during the Qing Dynasty.

When legendary warrior Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-fat) retires, he gifts his magical sword Green Destiny to friend and fellow warrior Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh), though before long the sword is stolen, leading to an epic quest to retrieve it.

When the search leads to the House of Yu, destinies collide as Jen Yu (Zhang Ziyi), a noblewoman hiding her prodigious martial arts talent, enters the story.

Thanks in massive part to TIFF, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon would go on to receive massive international acclaim, eventually winning four Oscars including Best Foreign Language Film.

The film’s eponymous main character Juno MacGuff (Elliot Page, credited as Ellen Page), is a precocious teenager who falls pregnant after a one-time fling with friend Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera).

Juno’s initial considerations of abortion are ultimately beaten out by her to decision to keep the baby and place it up for adoption. However, as the pregnancy progresses and Juno learns more about her child’s would-be adoptive parents, she faces questions and challenges that force her to reconsider her decision and role as biological mother.

This cult-classic crowd-pleaser directed by Jason Reitman (and filmed in Vancouver, no less) is adored by many and hurled Elliot Page into super-stardom alongside Michael Cera.

Juno won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay while receiving four further nominations including Best Picture.

When passionate ballet dancer Nina (Natalie Portman) wins the prized role of prima ballerina in the high-profile New York stage production of Swan Lake, the complex demands of the role begin to take their toll on her.

This non-stop psychological thriller follows Nina’s exploration of her ‘darker side’ required for one half of her dual role as White Swan and Black Swan, her reality begins to shift, causing pressure, paranoia, and hallucinations to spiral toward self-destruction.

As a fierce rivalry between fellow dancer Lily (Mila Kunis), also vying for the prima ballerina role, unfolds, as the two form a twisted friendship, allowing Nina’s dark side to emerge.

After premiering at TIFF, the film and all-star cast would go on to receive five Oscar nominations including Best Picture and Best Director for Darren Aronofsky, while Natalie Portman won the Oscar for Best Actress.