Apple Original Films has confirmed that Being Heumann, directed by Siân Heder, will open the 51st Toronto International Film Festival. The world premiere is set for September 10 at Roy Thomson Hall, kicking off TIFF's program, which runs through September 20.
The film marks Heder's first feature since CODA (2021), which won Best Picture at the 2022 Academy Awards. Being Heumann is a biographical drama about Judy Heumann, a pioneering disability rights activist who led more than 100 disabled people in a 28-day protest demanding the government enforce Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which required all federal spaces to become accessible. Ruth Madeley stars as Heumann. Mark Ruffalo, Dylan O'Brien, and Rob Delaney round out the cast. Heder co-wrote the screenplay with Rebekah Taussig, adapting Heumann's memoir Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist.
"We're thrilled to open this year's Festival with Siân Heder's inspiring follow-up to her Oscar-winning CODA," said Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF.
Joining Being Heumann in the opening Gala Presentations program are two additional world premieres. Susanna White's Prima Facie, starring Cynthia Erivo, will also screen, as will Hur Jin-ho's The Assassin(s), starring Lee Min-ho. The full TIFF 51 lineup is expected in the coming weeks.