The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which will run from September 4 to 14, continues to unveil its ambitious line-up for this year’s edition. Yesterday, it was the turn of the much-anticipated Discovery section, dedicated to showcasing fresh voices in global cinema and shining a light on regions that are often underrepresented in the industry. In total, 23 feature films will have their world premieres in this strand, with a notable number of majority and minority European productions.

Among the most talked-about titles is Julian, the debut feature from Belgian filmmaker Cato Kusters, marking the first majority production from The Reunion, the new company founded by brothers Lukas and Michiel Dhont, known for recent successes like Close. The film, handled by renowned sales agent The Match Factory, adapts the autobiographical book by LGBTQ+ artist and activist Fleur Pierets and tells the story of two young women who set out on a quixotic quest to marry in every country where same-sex marriage is legal.

Another highlight is Laundry, by South African director Zamo Mkhwanazi, a rare co-production between Switzerland and South Africa. Mkhwanazi, whose short films have made an impact at festivals like Cannes, Toronto, and Clermont-Ferrand, returns with a story set during the apartheid era. The film follows a young man determined to rescue his father and save the family business under a violent and repressive regime.

The UK also has a strong presence with The Man in My Basement, directed by Nadia Latif and based on the novel by Walter Mosley (Devil in a Blue Dress). Starring Corey Hawkins and Willem Dafoe, the plot centers on an African American man on the verge of losing his ancestral home when a mysterious white businessman offers to rent his basement for the summer.

Among the European debuts, Forastera, by Spanish filmmaker Lucía Aleñar Iglesias, stands out. The film is inspired by her short film which was featured at the 2020 Cannes Critics’ Week. Also in the line-up is Our Father, by Croatian director Goran Stankovic, known for the series Operation Sabre.

Sponsored by Air France, the Discovery section has established itself as a crucial platform for emerging talent that often goes on to major international careers. Notable past alumni include Ildikó Enyedi, Alfonso Cuarón, Julie Dash, Christopher Nolan, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Barry Jenkins.

This year, Latin America will have a significant presence with Oca, a co-production between Mexico and Argentina directed by Mexican filmmaker Karla Badillo. The film will compete for the Best First Feature award and forms part of the festival’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The project is supported by EFICINE Producción (Mexico) and INCAA (Argentina), and brings together Woo Films (Mexico), Slot Machine (France), and the Argentine companies Pucará Cine and Año Cero.

Kicking off the Discovery programme is Maddie’s Secret, the directorial debut of alternative comedian John Early, who is joined by a troupe of comedians including Kate Berlant, Vanessa Bayer, and Conner O’Malley, in a biting satire on content culture.

The full list of titles:

Discovery

Maddie’s Secret – John Early (USA) (opening film)
As We Breathe – Şeyhmus Altun (Turkey/Denmark)
Oca – Karla Badillo (Mexico/Argentina)
Babystar – Joscha Bongard (Germany)
The Son and the Sea – Stroma Cairns (UK)
Out Standing – Mélanie Charbonneau (Canada)
Noviembre – Tomás Corredor (Colombia/Mexico/Brazil/Norway)
Sink – Zain Duraie (Jordan/Saudi Arabia/Qatar/France)
Retreat – Ted Evans (UK)
Ghost School – Seemab Gul (Pakistan)
Little Lorraine – Andy Hines (Canada)
Forastera – Lucía Aleñar Iglesias (Spain/Italy/Sweden)
Egghead Republic – Pella Kågerman, Hugo Lilja (Sweden)
Julian – Cato Kusters (Belgium/Netherlands)
100 Sunset – Kunsang Kyirong (Canada)
The Man in My Basement – Nadia Latif (UK/USA)
Dinner with Friends – Sasha Leigh Henry (Canada)
Bayaan – Bikas Ranjan Mishra (India)
Mārama – Taratoa Stappard (New Zealand)
Amoeba – Siyou Tan (Singapore/Netherlands/France/Spain/South Korea)
Our Father – Goran Stankovic (Serbia/Italy/Croatia/North Macedonia/Montenegro/Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Nika & Madison – Eva Thomas (Canada)
Laundry – Zamo Mkhwanazi (Switzerland/South Africa)