This year's TIFF lineup is stacked with movies directed by women
The world's largest public film festival has officially begun in Toronto, and the lineup is as diverse as its home city. The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is being applauded for its inclusivity, with record-breaking numbers of female filmmakers and stories that highlight different sexual orientations, identities, cultures and family backgrounds. Of the nearly 400 movies scheduled, 117 are directed by women, and 83 countries (up from 71 last year) are represented. Artistic director Cameron Bailey also noted that more than half the programmers, those responsible for selecting the lineup, are women.
This year, there are seven films with feminist themes, 15 focusing on discrimination, 12 featuring LGTBQ stories, 14 looking at gender, sexuality and identity and 64 about female experiences. And, for the first time ever, seven female directors will premiere their films at the festival's high-profile gala presentations – where many Oscar contenders are screened. Here are their stories.
A United Kingdom Director: Amma Asante Starring: Rosamund Pike and David Oyelowo
Asante's film follows the real-life story of Sir Seretse Khama, the first president of Botswana, and his controversial interracial marriage to British banker Ruth Williams. It's a forbidden love story, with objections from both their families and countries, that eventually ends in the independence movement for all of Botswana.
Queen of Katwe Director: Mira Nair Starring: Lupita Nyong’o, David Oyelowo
Ten-year-old Phiona Metsi helps her mother sell corn at the market every day, but after a missionary introduces her to chess, Phiona is determined to become an international champion and support her family and community.
The Edge of Seventeen Director: Kelly Fremon Craig Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, Woody Harrelson
Nadine's high school life is already torture, but it hits an all-time low when her best friend starts dating her perfect older brother. The only person who might understand her is her wry history teacher, played by Woody Harrelson. It's the teen angst dramedy of this generation.
Their Finest Director: Lone Scherfig Starring: Gemma Arterton, Bill Nighy, Jack Huston, Richard E. Grant
Catrin Cole, a British scriptwriter during World War II, is in charge of putting a female perspective on government war films in order to boost morale during the Blitz. Come for the all-star British cast, stay for the film about a film that's actually a romantic comedy and period piece rolled into one.
The Journey is the Destination Director: Bronwen Hughes Starring: Ben Schnetzer
Hughes tells the real-life story of the late photojournalist Dan Eldon, a Kenyan artist, activist and the youngest journalist Reuters ever hired. The biopic follows Eldon's short life as he skips college to document brutal civilian killings in Somalia and life in refugee camps there.
Strange Weather Director: Katherine Dieckmann Starring: Holly Hunter
50-something Darcy Baylor has never truly recovered after her son's suicide years ago. After finding out an old college friend has stolen her business idea for his thriving restaurant chain, Baylor packs up and drives to New Orleans to confront him.
Planetarium Director: Rebecca Zlotowski Starring: Natalie Portman, Lily-Rose Depp
It's 1930s Paris, and two American psychic sisters are touring Europe, communicating with the dead for live audiences, when a French producer wants to shoot them for his film project.
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