Toronto Film Festival Unveils Exciting Wavelengths Program for Experimental Cinema
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has officially announced its highly anticipated Wavelengths program, showcasing a diverse selection of artist-driven experimental films. This year’s lineup features groundbreaking works from renowned directors such as Lav Diaz, Kahlil Joseph, and Kamal Aljafari.
In total, the Wavelengths program includes seven compelling features, highlighted by several North American premieres. Notable films include:
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Magellan: Directed by Lav Diaz, this epic historical drama stars Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal as the Portuguese explorer Magellan. The film made its debut at Cannes and promises to captivate audiences with its sweeping narrative.
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Mare’s Nest: Directed by Ben Rivers, this thought-provoking film follows a young girl navigating a dystopian world devoid of adults, offering a unique perspective on survival and resilience.
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Dry Leaf: Alexandre Koberidze’s poignant film tells the story of a father searching for his missing daughter in Georgia, all captured on a vintage Sony Ericsson phone, merging nostalgia with powerful storytelling.
- Copper: This gripping political thriller by Nicolás Pereda dives into complex societal issues, while Maureen Fazendeiro makes her solo directorial feature debut with The Seasons, adding fresh voices to the lineup.
The program will also feature a world premiere of Levers by Rhayne Vermette, a drama exploring humanity’s complicated relationship with nature. Additionally, Kahlil Joseph’s Sundance hit BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions will have its Canadian premiere, celebrating black experimental thinkers through a multimedia experience.
Wavelengths will also highlight two films by Palestinian directors: Kamal Aljafari’s With Hasan in Gaza—a North American premiere capturing the essence of pre-war Gaza in 2001—and Basma al-Sharif’s international premiere of It’s So Beautiful Here.
Short films will also take center stage, with world premieres from talented filmmakers including Viktoria Schmid, Björn Kämmerer, Blake Williams, Friedl vom Gröller, Fredj Moussa, Kaiwen Ren, and Eri Saito. Basma al-Sharif’s Morgenkreis will also have its international premiere.
In addition to the Wavelengths program, TIFF has announced its Classics sidebar, featuring restored cinematic gems. Highlights include a special 50th-anniversary screening of Steven Spielberg’s iconic Jaws in 35mm, alongside 4K restorations of classic films such as Manoel de Oliveira’s Aniki-Bobo (1942), Bahram Beyzaie’s Bashu, the Little Stranger (1986), Satyajit Ray’s Days and Nights in the Forest (1970), Michael Almereyda’s Nadja (1994), Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay (1975), and T’ang Shushuen’s The Arch (1968).
Mark your calendars! The 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 4 to 14, promising an unforgettable celebration of cinema. Don’t miss the chance to experience these innovative films and restore your connection to the art of filmmaking!
