My Five Favorite Films From The Toronto International Film Festival

I had an incredible time at TIFF, and I wanted to share my favorite films from the festival. These movies have stayed with me, and each one features something that resonated with me. Whether it’s Sung Kang directing thrilling racing scenes or the Mara sisters delivering hilarious performances, I can’t forget the films, and I hope people love them when they get wide releases.

Drifter

• Directed by – Sung Kang
• Starring – Sung Kang, Tamara Braun, Gregory Cruz

Shot in 22 days in California, Sung Kang’s ode to drift racing features the best racing I’ve seen in years. Cinematographer Bruce Thierry Cheung created inventive, breathtaking shots make Drifter look like a big-budgeted studio film. Sticking to Sylvester Stallone’s 50-year-old Rocky template (underdog succeeds). Sung Kang plays a  janitor named Tree, who moonlights as a drug courier at night for a local gangster. He spends his free time drifting around abandoned skate parks (which look amazing) in his Toyota AE86 Corolla (nicknamed Lola). Tree gets his chance to race. From there, he has to deal with gangsters, training, and racing against the best in the world. The story is simple, but the movie looks gorgeous, and you can feel how passionate Sung Kang is about drifting. Drifter is a treat, and Fast & Furious fans will love it. One of my favorite TIFF moments was the Sung Kang (and crew) Q&A following the screening because he genuinely cares for his crew and wanted to make something special.

In Alaska

• Directors – Jaap van Heusden and Vinnie Karetak
• Starring – Leo Matthew Temela, Noomi Rapace, Yin Wang, Zorga Qaunaq

Of all the films I watched at TIFF, In Alaska is the film I’ve thought about the most. The pacing isn’t great, and it takes a while to understand the film’s rhythm; however, it builds to something true and emotional. The lead character, Woody (Leo Matthew Temela), accidentally shoots a hole through an oil pipeline while trying to kill himself, and he finds himself hunted by Alaskan officials and FBI agent Susan Tarheel (Noomi Rapace), who empathizes with the young Inuk. I won’t spoil the ending; just know it tackles depression and sadness expertly, and I think it will speak to people who empathize with Woody. The on-location shoot in Canada adds a lot to the proceedings, and you feel like you’re getting a tour of the country.

Bucking Fastard

• Director – Werner Herzog
• Starring – Kate Mara, Rooney Mara, Orlando Bloom, Domhnall Gleeson

Bucking Fastard is a wonderful ride that features gas stations, caves, soap, digging, and perfect performances from Kate and Rooney Mara. Director Werner Herzog has crafted an unpredictably lively experience about two sisters who do everything together. They vacuum together (hilarious), they open cans together (hilarious again), and both fall in love with Orlando Bloom (hilarious). Many people won’t like that it’s essentially three films smashed into one, but I love how unpredictable and open to exploration it is. It won’t happen, but it would be funny if Rooney and Kate received joint nominations for their hilarious performances.

Fjord

• Directed by – Cristian Mungiu – R.M.N., (2022), 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007), Graduation (2016)
• Starring – Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, Lisa Carlehed

Winner of thePalme d’Or at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, Fjord is another excellent film from director Cristian Mungiu. It’s proven to be divisive, but I think it does a fine job of exploring faith, politics, immigration, conservative groups, and parenthood. Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, and Lisa Carlehed understood their assignments and played their roles with perfect caginess, keeping audiences guessing about who/what they are. Of all the films I watched at TIFF, Fjord is the one I’ve talked about the most, and I enjoyed researching what Mungiu was trying to say. The ending is a little too Being There, but Cristian does love a unique ending.

Turtle Island Rap

• Director – Alexandra Lazarowich
• Starring – A$h Da Hunter, Wiidaaseh, and Travis Thompson

Shot in cinéma vérité style, the Alexandra Lazarowich-directed Turtle Island Rap is a joy to watch. The three Indigenous hip-hop artists, A$h Da Hunter, Wiidaaseh, and Travis Thompson, are likable, talented, and totally comfortable on screen (credit goes to Lazarowich). Watching the artists juggle life, work, relationships, and their art felt thrilling because they are so open and comfortable in front of the camera. I’d love to interview Lazarowich and ask her about her filming style and how she made the talent feel so comfortable. I hope Turtle Island Rap finds a distributor because it showcases talented and likable people.