Press Release
All-star lineup for this year’s In Conversation With… series including Park Chan-wook, Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Tessa Thompson and Nia DaCosta
L to R: Park Chan-wook, Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, Tessa Thompson, and Nia DaCosta
TORONTO — With just three weeks until the Festival, TIFF is proud to share a preview of this year’s programming and events that go beyond the big screen, offering a broader lens on the global entertainment industry’s influence. TIFF’s iconic In Conversation With… (ICW) series is set to welcome international superstars Park Chan-wook, Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Tessa Thompson alongside Nia DaCosta, five bold, original voices who will engage audiences through candid, in-depth conversations about their careers, craft, and creative journeys. The 50th Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, runs September 4–14, 2025.
TIFF Next Wave presents an 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.”
Now in its third year, TIFF’s invite-only Black Excellence Brunch presented by RBC, hosted at RBC House (Petros82), and supported by the Jamaica Tourist Board, is a vibrant celebration of the Black creative community. The event fosters 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 last week, the Criterion Mobile Closet(open in new tab)open_in_new is 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 your 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 news about other Festival Street activations will be shared closer to the Festival.
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.
