The feature-film adaptation of the Tony Award–winning musical "Dear Evan Hansen" is the Opening Night Gala Presentation at the 46th Toronto International Film Festival® and will screen Thursday, September 9 at Roy Thomson Hall. (Additional screenings of Dear Evan Hansen will take place at the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre, at the RBC Lakeside Drive-In at Ontario Place, and digitally on the digital TIFF Bell Lightbox platform.)

Directed by Stephen Chbosky, Dear Evan Hansen is the story of a high-school senior with a debilitating anxiety disorder whose private letter to himself as part of a therapy exercise lands in the hands of a fellow classmate, with tragic consequences. The incident propels Evan on a journey of self-discovery that leads him toward belonging and acceptance, not only among the people who love him, but also by Evan himself. Starring Tony winner Ben Platt as Evan, along with Amy Adams, Julianne Moore, Kaitlyn Dever, Amandla Stenberg, and Nik Dodani, Dear Evan Hansen features songs from the original Broadway sensation.

“There was no question that Dear Evan Hansen was the ideal film to launch the Festival this year,” said Cameron Bailey, artistic director and co-head, TIFF. “This film is ultimately about healing, forgiveness, and reaffirms how connected and essential we all are to one another. We couldn’t think of a more important idea to celebrate this year as we come together once again to share the power and joy of cinema in theatres together.”

Joana Vicente, executive director and co-head of TIFF, added, “As TIFF resumed this year in the wake of a pandemic that marked and changed all of our lives, we felt it was important to open this year’s Festival with a film that connects to our shared humanity and that reminds us how deeply we need one another, need to be seen by one another, especially in times of loneliness and despair.” 

“Dear Evan Hansen is a film about allowing ourselves to be found, and giving ourselves permission to be our true, authentic selves,” said Chbosky. “After a year and a half of isolation, so many of us are finding our way back to each other. So, now more than ever, I am honored that the Toronto International Film Festival has chosen Dear Evan Hansen to open this year’s Festival. We could not have asked for a more ideal festival, or audience, or moment to premiere our film.”

The Closing Night Gala of TIFF 2021, One Second, is the newest offering from the acclaimed Chinese director of Raise the Red Lantern and Hero, Zhang Yimou. The film tells the story of a traveling film projectionist and an escaped prisoner connected through cinema. One Second is a love letter to movies and a reminder of how they can unite people, regardless of our differences. “Every September we invite the whole film world to Toronto, one of the most diverse, movie-mad cities in the world,” said Bailey. “And to have Zhang Yimou’s film here, now, is a true joy.”

TIFF has also unveiled the first titles selected for the Festival’s Gala and Special Presentations programs. This first list of films from the 2021 Official Selection features 11 Galas and 21 Special Presentations. 
 
“Some of the year’s biggest films will screen at TIFF this year,” added Bailey. “We’re thrilled to announce these films as Galas and Special Presentations. Our programming team has been hard at work for months searching for the most compelling stories, acclaimed filmmakers, and top onscreen talent that comprise two of TIFF’s highest-profile sections.”

GALA PRESENTATIONS 2021
*previously announced 
 
*Belfast Kenneth Branagh | United Kingdom 
World Premiere
 
Clifford the Big Red Dog Walt Becker | USA/United Kingdom/Canada
World Premiere
 

Opening Night Film
Dear Evan Hansen, Stephen Chbosky | USA
World Premiere
 

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, Will Sharpe | United Kingdom
Canadian Premiere
 
*Jagged, Alison Klayman | USA 
World Premiere
 
*Last Night in Soho, Edgar Wright | United Kingdom
North American Premiere
 
*The Mad Women’s Ball (Le Bal des folles), Mélanie Laurent | France
World Premiere

*Night Raiders, Danis Goulet | Canada/New Zealand
North American Premiere
 

Closing Night Film
One Second, Zhang Yimou | China
North American Premiere
 

The Survivor, Barry Levinson | USA/Canada/Hungary
World Premiere

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 2021
*previously announced 
 
Ali & Ava, Clio Barnard | United Kingdom 
North American Premiere
 
All My Puny Sorrows, Michael McGowan | Canada
World Premiere
 
*Benediction, Terence Davies | United Kingdom
World Premiere
 
Bergman Island, Mia Hansen-Løve | France
International Premiere
 
*Charlotte, Eric Warin, Tahir Rana | Canada/France/Belgium
World Premiere
 
*Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over, Dave Wooley, David Heilbroner | USA
World Premiere
 
Drive My Car, Ryusuke Hamaguchi | Japan 
North American Premiere
 
Encounter, Michael Pearce | United Kingdom/USA 
International Premiere

The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Michael Showalter | USA 
World Premiere
 
*The Guilty, Antoine Fuqua | USA
World Premiere
 
I’m Your Man, Maria Schrader | Germany 
North American Premiere
 
Inexorable, Fabrice du Welz | Belgium/France 
International Premiere

*Lakewood, Phillip Noyce | Canada 
World Premiere
 
The Middle Man, Bent Hamer | Norway/Canada/Germany/Denmark
World Premiere

Official Competition (Competencia Oficial), Mariano Cohn, Gastón Duprat | Spain/Argentina
North American Premiere

Paris, 13th District (Les Olympiades), Jacques Audiard | France
North American Premiere
 
*Petite Maman, Céline Sciamma | France 
Canadian Premiere
 
*The Starling, Theodore Melfi | USA
World Premiere
 
The Story of My Wife, Ildikó Enyedi | Hungary/Germany/Italy/France 
North American Premiere
 
Three Floors (Tre Piani), Nanni Moretti | Italy/France
North American Premiere
 
Violet, Justine Bateman | USA 
International Premiere
 
The Worst Person In The World (Verdens Verste Menneske), Joachim Trier | Norway/France/Sweden/Denmark
North American Premiere