The Toronto International Film Festival returns in September 2022 for its 47th edition. It celebrates 11 days of international and Canadian cinema. With special events featuring some of the biggest names in film and TIFF’s Industry Conference, offering diverse and innovative perspectives on the art and business of film.
Netflix and Working Title film The Swimmers is confirmed to open the 2022 festival on Thursday, September 8. Here are a few South-Asian titles to catch during the exhibition.
Kacchey Limbu by Shubham Yogi (India): World Premiere
Jio Studios and Mango People Media’s coming-of-age sibling drama, Kacchey Limbu is set to have its World Premiere at the 47th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2022. An official selection at the prestigious festival, the picture stars Radhika Madan (Angrezi Medium) as she plays Aditi. A willful young girl who is in the race of fulfilling dreams imposed on her by everyone. It is a story of courage, determination and discovering herself. The lead cast also includes Rajat Barmecha (Udaan) and Ayush Mehra (Call My Agent – Bollywood). It is directed by debutant filmmaker Shubham Yogi. Produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Pranjal Khandhdiya and Neha Anand, Kacchey Limbu will be screened as part of the Gala Presentations programme at TIFF. An official release date is yet to be confirmed.
What’s Love Got To Do With It? by Shekhar Kapur (United Kingdom): World Premiere
What’s Love Got To Do With It? by Shekhar Kapur (Mr India), marks his directorial comeback after 15 years. The rom-com is set across Pakistan and the United Kingdom scripted and produced by Jemima Khan. It stars Emmy-nominated Lily James (Baby Driver) and BAFTA-winner Emma Thompson (Cruella). Other cast members include Shabana Azmi (Fire), Sajal Aly (Mom), Asim Chaudhary (Black Mirror), Shazad Latif (Star Trek) and Sindhu Vee (Matilda), among others. StudioCanal is the sales repping and international distributors. The picture is screened as a Gala Presentation at the Roy Thomson Hall on Saturday, 10th September at TIFF.
Joyland by Saim Siddiq (Pakistan): North American Premiere
Pakistani Queer film, Joyland, which received a standing ovation at Cannes this year, celebrates its North American premiere at TIFF. It is set in Lahore and is about a middle-class family. A wheelchair-bound yet severe patriarch rules over his two sons and daughters-in-law. He wants his kids to give him grandchildren, but all changes when his younger son, Haider (Ali Junejo), falls in love with Biba (Alina Khan), a transgender dancer while working as a background dancer for her. The feature also stars Aahat‘s Sania Saeed and Sarwat Gilain (of Churails fame) in pivotal roles. It is co-produced by Zindagi Tamasha‘s Sarmad Khoosat. The movie is expected to release in the Winter.
The TIFF lineup also includes Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical drama The Fabelmans, Lena Dunham’s coming-of-age comedy Catherine Called Birdy, Harry Styles’ star vehicle My Policeman, Viola Davis in period drama The Woman King and Rian Johnson’s sequel, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. The festival closes on 18th September.
