Sian Heder’s ‘Being Heumann’ to Open TIFF 2026

Oscar-winning “CODA” filmmaker Sian Heder’s “Being Heumann” will open the Toronto International Film Festival, it was announced Tuesday.

This will be a world premiere, which means no Venice or Telluride. I presume the latter rejected it, and the producers didn’t waste their time submitting it to the former. An opening-night slot is also not the best positioning for generating maximum buzz, as the press tends to skip the first day or two before the buzzier titles screen from Friday to Sunday.

Heder’s “Being Heumann” stars Ruth Madeley, Mark Ruffalo, Dylan O’Brien, Rob Delaney, and Ray Fisher. It chronicles the journey of Judy Heumann, who contracted polio at 18 months old and used a wheelchair for most of her life. The story follows her leadership of more than 100 disabled activists who occupied the San Francisco Federal Building in 1977, launching a 28-day sit-in. The protesters were determined to stay until the government implemented Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, mandating accessibility in all federally funded facilities.

“We’re thrilled to open this year’s festival with Siân Heder’s inspiring follow-up to her Oscar-winning ‘CODA,’” said Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF, in an official statement. “‘Being Heumann’ features an electric performance from Ruth Madeley in the story of Judy Heumann, a world-changing advocate for accessibility.”

Does anyone remember “CODA”? It snagged Best Picture in 2022. Truly the Academy’s boldest move since… well, ever. A heartwarming Apple TV+ film about a deaf family that had Oscar voters opting for the feel-good choice, in the middle of a pandemic, over far superior films.

Additionally, TIFF announced two other world premieres in its Gala Presentations programme: “Prima Facie” from British director Susanna White, and “The Assassin(s)” from Korean filmmaker Hur Jin-ho.

TIFF, set to run from September 10 to 20, will celebrate its 51st edition this year. More lineup announcements will be be made in the coming weeks.

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