The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is currently in progress, offering a diverse selection of movies catered to literature enthusiasts. TIFF 2026 commenced on Thursday, September 10, and will run through Sunday, September 20.
CBC Books has meticulously examined the festival’s lineup, which comprises 293 titles, to spotlight some of the highly anticipated films inspired by literature. These films are not only worth adding to your must-watch list but also to your reading list.
**YAGA**
“YAGA,” based on Kat Sandler’s work, is a Crave Original series marking Toronto playwright and showrunner Kat Sandler’s directorial debut. The narrative follows Carson, a local detective in a remote coastal town, on a mission to locate the missing party enthusiast, Henry Park. As the investigation unfolds, they team up with a private investigator and unravel enigmatic secrets held by a university professor specializing in urban myths.
The 2026 series, an adaptation of Sandler’s 2018 play, reimagines the mystical character from Slavic folklore in a contemporary whodunnit setting. The Canadian star-studded cast features Hudson Williams from “Heated Rivalry” and Carrie-Anne Moss known for her role in “The Matrix” movies.
**A Long Winter**
“A Long Winter,” adapted from Colm Tóibín’s novella, portrays the story of Mike in the frigid Colorado mountains. The period drama delves into Mike’s journey as he copes with his mother’s disappearance after a blizzard, leading him to live alongside his distant father.
English filmmaker Andrew Haigh, known for his previous work on “All of Us Strangers,” directs the film, with a cast including Fred Hechinger from “The White Lotus” and D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, a Toronto-born actor recognized for his role in the FX series “Reservation Dogs.”
**Ba’s Book**
Inspired by Anh Duong’s memoir “Dear Da-Lê,” “Ba’s Book” is a documentary by Ashley Duong that showcases her father’s experiences within the Vietnamese diaspora, recounting the trauma endured during the Vietnam War and as a refugee during the Iranian Revolution in the 1970s. Ashley’s documentary recreates her father’s childhood tales, reflecting on their family’s migration from Vietnam to Calgary.
**Being Heumann**
“Being Heumann” is based on Judy Heumann’s memoir, portraying her journey as a disability rights activist and her pivotal role in advocating for civil rights legislation protecting individuals with disabilities. Directed by Siân Heder, the film sheds light on Heumann’s activism, including the occupation of a federal building in San Francisco and the subsequent influence on the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
These films, among others showcased at TIFF 2026, bring literature to life on the big screen, offering audiences a captivating blend of storytelling and visual artistry.