The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is currently ongoing, providing a rich selection of movies inspired by literature for enthusiasts. TIFF 2026 kicked off on Thursday, Sept. 10 and will run until Sunday, Sept. 20.
CBC Books meticulously reviewed the festival’s lineup of 293 titles, spotlighting some of the most eagerly anticipated literary-based films worth adding to your must-watch and must-read lists.
**YAGA**
**Based on:** YAGA by Kat Sandler
Kat Sandler, a prominent playwright from Toronto, marks her directorial debut with the premiere of the Crave Original series, YAGA, at TIFF 2026. This narrative unfolds in a secluded coastal town, where local detective Carson and a private investigator embark on a mission to locate the missing party enthusiast, Henry Park. Their quest leads them to a university professor delving into urban myths, revealing a tapestry of enigmas awaiting discovery.
An adaptation of Sandler’s 2018 play, YAGA reimagines the mystical character from Slavic folklore in a contemporary whodunit setting. The stellar cast of the 2026 series includes Hudson Williams from Heated Rivalry and Carrie-Anne Moss, renowned for her roles in The Matrix franchise.
**A Long Winter**
**Based on:** A Long Winter by Colm Tóibín
Set amidst the icy landscapes of the Colorado mountains, A Long Winter portrays the journey of a young man named Mike grappling with his mother’s disappearance following a blizzard. Derived from the short novel by Irish writer Colm Tóibín, this period drama delves into Mike’s coming-of-age narrative as he navigates life alongside his distant father.
English filmmaker Andrew Haigh, known for All of Us Strangers, directs the film, featuring Fred Hechinger from The White Lotus and D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, a Toronto-born actor recognized for his role in the FX series Reservation Dogs.
**Ba’s Book**
**Inspired by:** Dear Da-Lê by Anh Duong
Anh Duong’s 2024 memoir, Dear Da-Lê, unfolds through a sequence of narrative letters penned by Duong to his daughter, recounting his ordeals during the Vietnam War and as a refugee amid the Iranian Revolution in the 1970s. Transitioned to Canada, Duong shares his journey within the Vietnamese diaspora, encapsulating a father’s poignant reflections for his child.
Ashley Duong, his daughter, pays tribute to her father’s narrative by crafting a documentary, Ba’s Book, reenacting his childhood tales and tracing their family’s migration from Vietnam to Calgary.
**Being Heumann**
**Based on:** Being Heumann by Judith Heumann with Kristen Joiner
Judy Heumann, hailed as the “Mother of the Disability Rights Movement,” advocated for pioneering civil rights legislation safeguarding individuals with disabilities. Her memoir, Being Heumann, illuminates her personal evolution from polio-induced paralysis in infancy to her impactful activism in adulthood.
In 1977, Heumann orchestrated a federal building occupation in San Francisco, followed by advocacy efforts in D.C. that influenced the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The film adaptation, Being Heumann, directed by Siân Heder, narrates Judy’s inspirational journey, resonating with disability rights activists globally.
**Carrie**
**Based on:** Carrie by Stephen King
In this rendition of Stephen King’s iconic horror novel, Carrie, tailored for Gen Z audiences, the tale of the telekinetic teenage protagonist unfolds. Carrie White, sheltered and tormented, seeks vengeance against her high school tormentors under her abusive mother’s influence. This adaptation by Mike Flanagan adds a contemporary twist to the classic narrative, joining the lineage of previous adaptations.
Mike Flanagan, known for his work on Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep, helms the film, bringing his unique perspective to another Stephen King masterpiece.
**Clarissa**
**Based on:** Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Clarissa reimagines Virginia Woolf’s seminal novel, Mrs. Dalloway, in modern-day Nigeria, a century later. Portrayed against the vibrant backdrop of Lagos, the film captures the essence of high society living, as Clarissa Dalloway and her husband Richard navigate preparations for a grand social gathering. Amidst the festivities, past relationships, political tensions, and existential contemplations surface, enriching the narrative tapestry.
Nigerian filmmakers Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri infuse the story with cultural richness, exploring themes of societal dynamics and personal introspection.
**Edward Said: Between Worlds**
**Inspired by:** the writings of Edward Said
Edward Said: Between Worlds presents a documentary tribute to the Palestinian American scholar Edward Said, chronicling his impactful career through archival footage. A distinguished activist, writer, and professor at Columbia University, Said’s