Attendees waiting in queues to attend the screenings. / X/@TIFF_NET

As the fall season begins in Canada, so does the highly anticipated Toronto International Film Festival, often dubbed the "Festival of Festivals." This 11-day celebration of visual storytelling attracts audiences from around the globe, showcasing some of the year's best films, many of which often go on to receive acclaim at the Academy Awards, scheduled for early next year.

This year, TIFF 2024 is set to present a smaller number of films compared to previous editions. However, it remains a premier venue for industry professionals, featuring special events and talks with some of the biggest names in the film world. A total of 236 films, including features, documentaries, and short films, will be screened, in addition to industry conferences and conversations.

While the festival includes a good number of films from the Far East and Middle East, India's representation at TIFF 2024 is relatively modest. The most notable entry from India is All We Imagine As Light, directed by Payal Kapadia, which won the Grand Prix at the Cannes International Film Festival. Kapadia is no stranger to TIFF, having previously brought her acclaimed 2021 documentary A Night of Knowing Nothing.

Payal Kapadia / TIFF 2024

In All We Imagine As Light, she explores the multicultural and diverse life of a bustling city, focusing on social and political changes occurring in cities like Mumbai. The film delves into themes such as personal freedom, family dynamics, workplace culture, and the resilience of friendships in a patriarchal society. Despite its Mumbai setting, the film features predominantly Malayali actors, including Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, and Anil Nedumangad.

Kani Kusruti in All We Imagine As Light / TIFF 2024

Another highlight is Superboys of Malegaon, directed by Reema Kagti. This film follows the real-life story of Nasir Shaikh, a self-made auteur whose passion for filmmaking transforms his small town of Malegaon into a hub of community-sourced cinema. Initially mocked by the villagers, Shaikh's dedication leads to the creation of Malegaon Ke Sholay, a parody of the iconic Hindi film Sholay. The screenplay, co-written by Kagti and Varun Grover, is a tribute to tenacity and the sheer joy of filmmaking, starring Adarsh Gourav, Shashank Arora, and Vineet Kumar.

Making her directorial debut, Lakshmipriya Devi presents Boong, a poignant portrayal of childhood resilience against ethnic and racial tensions in Manipur. The film follows a boy named Boong, who, alongside his friend Raju, embarks on a quest to reunite his family, defying rumors about his father’s death. Boong is set to premiere under the Discovery category at TIFF 2024, featuring Bala Hijam, Gugun Kipgen, and Angom Sanamatum in lead roles.

A scene from Boong. / TIFF 2024

Another Indian film, Santosh, tells the story of a female police officer who challenges the compromised ethics of patriarchal Indian society. Directed by Sandhya Suri, a British-Indian filmmaker, the film features Shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar in leading roles. Suri, who previously won the Best International Short Film award at TIFF 2018 for The Field, brings her signature storytelling style to this thought-provoking narrative.

A Scene from Santhosh. / TIFF 2024

The TIFF Classics category will feature a 4K restoration of Masala, Srinivas Krishna's 1991 film that explores the vibrant diversity of the South Asian diaspora in Canada. The film, which won the Samuelson Award at the Birmingham International Film and Television Festival in 1991, stars Saeed Jaffrey, Sakina Jaffrey, and Zohra Sehgal. Masala is a bold narrative told through the colorful, saturated aesthetics of Bollywood.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Raj Kapoor's birth, TIFF will also showcase a 4K restoration of his iconic 1951 film Awaara. This classic, inspired by Charlie Chaplin's Little Tramp persona, tells the story of a privileged judge and his estranged son. Awaara was internationally acclaimed, earning a nomination for the Grand Prize at the 1953 Cannes Film Festival.

With 236 films from around the world, the Toronto International Film Festival 2024 runs from September 5 to September 15. While the lineup is about 100 films fewer than in previous years, the festival promises rich conversations with film personalities and industry-focused talks on filmmaking and marketing.