The 51st edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) kicks off this Thursday, featuring a wide array of films, including those starring the fictional character Rocky Balboa, K-pop star Lisa from the group Blackpink, and the late disability rights pioneer Judy Heumann. As North America’s largest film festival, TIFF showcases a diverse range of movies, from award contenders to commercial releases, often making it challenging for any single film to stand out. This year, the festival will screen several films that previously premiered at events like the Venice and Telluride film festivals. Toronto has long been a key destination for fall movie premieres, with events ranging from glamorous red carpet events to midnight showings and potential Oscar hopefuls. TIFF has repositioned itself as a major marketplace for films, where both completed movies and film projects in development are available for sale. This year, over 6,000 industry professionals—more than six times the number from last year—are expected to attend. Some of the most anticipated sales premieres include The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd, a prison drama starring Amanda Seyfried; Prima Facie, in which Cynthia Erivo plays a barrister defending a man accused of sexual assault; and Rogue Trooper, an animated sci-fi film from director Duncan Jones. A surprise addition to the lineup is The Last Photograph, directed by Zack Snyder. The festival opens with Being Heumann, a film directed by Siân Heder, best known for her Oscar-winning CODA. This new film stars Ruth Madeley as Judy Heumann, a prominent disability rights advocate who passed away in 2023. Another highlight is Misty Green, a debut film by Chris Rock, in which Rosalind Eleazar plays a determined Hollywood actor, potentially setting her up for Oscar consideration. Other notable films include Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, with Mahershala Ali as a religious hitman; Love of Your Life, a romantic drama directed by Rachel Morrison and starring Margaret Qualley; and I Play Rocky, a film about a young Sylvester Stallone making the Rocky movie. This last film echoes the success of Green Book, which first premiered at TIFF in 2018 before winning the Academy Award for Best Picture. TIFF’s People’s Choice Award, which is determined by audience votes, has a strong track record as an indicator of Oscar success. Since 2012, every winner of this award—except for one—has been nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. Last year’s winner was Hamnet, and many films that stood out at other major festivals like Cannes, Venice, and Telluride will also be shown in Toronto. Among the music documentaries premiering at TIFF is Always Lalisa, which chronicles the solo career of Lisa Manobal, a member of the K-pop group Blackpink. Other music-related films include Pretenders, about rock singer Chrissie Hynde and her band, and Darlene Love: I Know Where I’ve Been, a tribute to the legendary vocalist.