From a Korean political thriller headlining Gala Presentations to the first Filipino film ever selected for Platform, here's where to start.
TIFF’s 2026 slate has one of the largest concentrations of Asian cinema in recent memory — Korean, Japanese, and Chinese-language films, plus historic firsts for Vietnamese and Filipino cinema in the festival’s main sections. Here’s where we’d start.
A historical political thriller set in 1974, in the aftermath of the real-life attempted assassination of South Korean President Park Chung-hee. Directed by Hur Jin-ho, with an ensemble cast led by Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho.
A new film from Palme d'Or-winning director Hirokazu Kore-eda, screening at TIFF as a North American Premiere. Details on plot and cast continue to emerge as the festival's program notes are finalized.
The opening film of TIFF's 2026 Platform program, from acclaimed Japanese director Miwa Nishikawa (Dreams for Sale, Under the Open Sky). Screens as a World Premiere at TIFF Lightbox's Cinema 1, where all Platform titles debut.
A coming-of-age drama from director Yoon Dan-bi, following two childhood best friends who reunite one summer on a small rural island in Korea as their adolescence and first loves take shape. It's Yoon's second narrative feature after 2019's Moving On.
A new film from prolific Japanese genre director Takashi Miike, making its World Premiere at TIFF 2026.
Director Zou Jing's drama follows a young girl repeatedly sent to live with different families, using her story to examine the emotional toll of China's one-child policy on the children left in its wake.
A new feature from cult Japanese auteur Shinya Tsukamoto (Tetsuo: The Iron Man), screening at TIFF as a North American Premiere.
A new feature from director Yeon Sang-ho, best known internationally for Train to Busan and the Hellbound series. Full plot details are still emerging as TIFF's program notes are released.
A sociopolitical drama following an ordinary laborer in a Manila slum who witnesses the police killing of a teenage boy, and must decide whether to speak out. Inspired by the 2017 killing of Kian delos Santos. Directed by Lawrence 'Law' Fajardo, it's the first Filipino film to compete in TIFF's Platform section since the program launched 11 years ago.
A new feature from Vietnamese director Nguyen Phan Quang Binh, screening at TIFF as an International Premiere in the Gala Presentations lineup.