The 49th Toronto International Film Festival has unveiled a star-studded lineup featuring a slew of highly-anticipated features this awards season. IndieWire can confirm the Galas and Special Presentations programs that boast 63 films, including new titles from beloved directors like Mike Leigh, Morgan Neville, Jacques Audiard, and Edward Berger, whose papal drama “Conclave” will make its world premiere at the festival. The Galas program, sponsored by Dyson, includes buzzy Cannes titles like Paul Schrader’s “Oh, Canada” and David Cronenberg’s “The Shrouds.
” Cronenberg will also be honored with the Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award during the festival. The Special Presentations section marks the premiere of Gia Coppola’s “The Last Showgirl” starring Pamela Anderson, as well as Scott Beck and Bryan Woods’ “Heretic.” The Galas and Special Presentations programs for 2024 boast films from 25 countries, including 29 sales titles.
“This Special Presentations section can be compared to one of those large, luxury variety boxes of chocolates that you get over the holidays,” Special Presentations Lead Programmer Jane Schoettle said in a video announcing the lineup. “There’s a vast array to choose from and you know you’re always going to find something good, but there’s three or four that you pick out as your favorites, and you end up loving them.” As previously announced, the festival will open with David Gordon Green’s comedy “Nutcrac.