The 21st

Toronto International Film Festival The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF, often stylized as tiff) is one of the largest publicly attended film festivals in the world, attracting over 480,000 people annually. Since its founding in 1976, TIFF has grown to become a permane ...

(TIFF) took place in

Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the ancho ...

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...

, Canada between September 5 and September 14, 1996.

Deepa Mehta Deepa Mehta, (; born 1 January 1950) is an Indian-born Canadian film director and screenwriter, best known for her Elements Trilogy, Fire (1996 film), ''Fire'' (1996), ''Earth (1998 film), Earth'' (1998), and ''Water (2005 film), Water'' (2005 ...

's ''

Fire Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material (the fuel) in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction Product (chemistry), products. At a certain point in the combustion reaction, called the ignition ...

'' was selected as the opening film.

Awards

Programme

Gala Presentation

*'' Shine'' by

Scott Hicks Scott Hicks may refer to: * Scott Hicks (basketball) (born 1966), American former college basketball coach * Scott Hicks (director) Robert Scott Hicks (born 4 March 1953), known as Scott, is an Australian film director, producer and screenwrit ...

*''Life'' by Lawrence Johnston *''

The Daytrippers ''The Daytrippers'' is a 1996 independent comedy-drama film written and directed by Greg Mottola in his feature directorial debut. It stars Hope Davis, Stanley Tucci, Anne Meara, Parker Posey and Liev Schreiber. Plot Eliza ( Hope Davis) discove ...

'' by

Greg Mottola Gregory J. Mottola (born July 11, 1964) is an American film director, screenwriter, and television director. Life and career Mottola grew up in Dix Hills, New York, in a Catholic family of Italian and Irish descent. He received his BFA in art fr ...

*''

Color of a Brisk and Leaping Day ''Color of a Brisk and Leaping Day'' is a 1996 drama film written and directed by Christopher Münch about a Chinese-American's attempt at saving a railroad in post-WWII California. It stars Peter Alexander and features R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe ...

'' by Christopher Münch *''

The Watermelon Woman ''The Watermelon Woman'' is a 1996 American romantic comedy-drama film written, directed, and edited by Cheryl Dunye. It stars Dunye as Cheryl, a young black lesbian working a day job in a video store while trying to make a film about a black act ...

'' by

Cheryl Dunye Cheryl Dunye (; born May 13, 1966) is a Liberian-American film director, producer, screenwriter, editor and actress. Dunye's work often concerns themes of race, sexuality, and gender, particularly issues relating to black lesbians. She is known ...

*''

Trees Lounge ''Trees Lounge'' is a 1996 American dramedy film and the debut of Steve Buscemi as writer and director. It was produced by Brad Wyman and Chris Hanley and features a large ensemble cast of actors, including Buscemi, Anthony LaPaglia, Chloë Sevi ...

'' by

Steve Buscemi Steven Vincent Buscemi ( ,As stated in interviews by Buscemi himself, some may insist that his pronunciation of his own name is "wrong" because it does not match the original Italian pronunciation as well. It is not uncommon for people to pronou ...

*''

Unhook the Stars ''Unhook the Stars'' is a 1996 American drama film directed by Nick Cassavetes, and starring his mother Gena Rowlands, Marisa Tomei, Gérard Depardieu, and Jake Lloyd in his film debut. Rowlands plays Mildred, a widow who befriends the wayward ...

'' by

Nick Cassavetes Nicholas David Rowland Cassavetes (born May 21, 1959) is an American actor, director, and writer. He has directed such films as ''She's So Lovely'' (1997), ''John Q.'' (2002), ''The Notebook'' (2004), '' Alpha Dog'' (2006), and '' My Sister's Kee ...

*''

Big Night ''Big Night'' is a 1996 American comedy-drama film co-directed by Campbell Scott and Stanley Tucci. The film stars Tucci, alongside Minnie Driver, Ian Holm, Isabella Rossellini, Allison Janney and Tony Shalhoub. Produced by David Kirkpatrick ...

'' by

Campbell Scott Campbell Scott (born July 19, 1961) is an American actor, producer and director. His roles include Steve Dunne in '' Singles'', Mark Usher in ''House of Cards'', Joseph Tobin in ''Damages'', and Richard Parker in ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' and ...

Stanley Tucci Stanley Tucci Jr. ( ; born November 11, 1960) is an American actor and filmmaker. Involved in acting from a young age, he made his film debut in John Huston's ''Prizzi's Honor'' (1985), and continued to play a variety of supporting roles in film ...

*''

Breaking the Waves ''Breaking the Waves'' is a 1996 psychological drama film directed and co-written by Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier and starring English stage actress Emily Watson as her feature film acting debut. Set in the Scottish Highlands in the early 197 ...

'' by

Lars von Trier Lars von Trier (''né'' Trier; 30 April 1956) is a Danish filmmaker, actor, and lyricist. Having garnered a reputation as a highly ambitious, polarizing filmmaker, he has been the subject of several controversies: Cannes, in addition to nominat ...

*''

The Quiet Room Quiet room or silent room may refer to: Rooms * Anechoic chamber, a room designed to absorb reflections of either sound or electromagnetic waves * Padded cell, a cell in a psychiatric hospital with cushions lining the walls * Quiet room, a room i ...

'' by

Rolf de Heer Rolf de Heer (born 4 May 1951) is a Dutch Australian film director. De Heer was born in Heemskerk in the Netherlands but migrated to Sydney when he was eight years old.

*''

Ridicule Mockery or mocking is the act of insulting or making light of a person or other thing, sometimes merely by taunting, but often by making a caricature, purporting to engage in imitation in a way that highlights unflattering characteristics. Mocker ...

'' by

Patrice Leconte Patrice Leconte (; born 12 November 1947) is a French film director, actor, comic strip writer, and screenwriter. Life and career Leconte grew up in Tours, and began making little amateur films at 15. He went to Paris in 1967 and studied at Insti ...

*'' Beautiful Thing'' by

Hettie MacDonald Hettie Macdonald is an English film, theatre and television director. Macdonald is known as the director of the Hugo Award-winning 2007 episode of the ''Doctor Who'' series, "Blink", and won a Grand Prix award, an International Jury Award - Hono ...

*''

Prisoner of the Mountains ''Prisoner of the Mountains'' (russian: Кавказский пленник, ''Kavkazskiy plennik''), also known as ''Prisoner of the Caucasus'', is a 1996 Russian war drama film directed by Sergei Bodrov and written by Bodrov, Arif Aliyev and Bor ...

'' by

Sergei Bodrov Sergei Vladimirovich Bodrov ( rus, Серге́й Влади́мирович Бодро́в, p=sʲɪrˈɡʲej bɐˈdrof; born June 28, 1948) is a Russian film director, screenwriter, and producer. In 2003 he was the President of the Jury at the 2 ...

*'' The Funeral'' by

Abel Ferrara Abel Ferrara (born July 19, 1951) is an American filmmaker, known for the provocative and often controversial content in his movies and his use of neo-noir imagery and gritty urban settings. A long-time independent filmmaker, some of his best kn ...

*'' Jude'' by

Michael Winterbottom Michael Winterbottom (born 29 March 1961) is an English film director. He began his career working in British television before moving into features. Three of his films—''Welcome to Sarajevo'', '' Wonderland'' and '' 24 Hour Party People''� ...

*''

Fly Away Home ''Fly Away Home'' ( ''Flying Wild'' and ''Father Goose'') is a 1996 family drama film directed by Carroll Ballard. The film stars Anna Paquin, Jeff Daniels, and Dana Delany. ''Fly Away Home'' was released on September 13, 1996, by Columbia Pic ...

'' by

Carroll Ballard Carroll Ballard (born October 14, 1937) is a retired American film director. He has directed six feature films, including ''The Black Stallion (film), The Black Stallion'' (1979), ''Never Cry Wolf (film), Never Cry Wolf'' (1983), and ''Fly Away ...

*'' Swingers'' by

Doug Liman Douglas Eric Liman (; born July 24, 1965) is an American film director and producer. He is known for directing the films '' Swingers'' (1996), '' Go'' (1999), '' The Bourne Identity'' (2002), '' Mr. & Mrs. Smith'' (2005), ''Jumper'' (2008), ''Edg ...

*''

That Thing You Do! ''That Thing You Do!'' is a 1996 American comedy film co-starring, written, and directed by Tom Hanks, in his feature writing and directorial debut. It tells the story of the rise and fall of a fictional 1960s one-hit wonder pop band, and sta ...

'' by

Tom Hanks Thomas Jeffrey Hanks (born July 9, 1956) is an American actor and filmmaker. Known for both his comedic and dramatic roles, he is one of the most popular and recognizable film stars worldwide, and is regarded as an American cultural icon. Ha ...

*''

Albino Alligator ''Albino Alligator'' is a 1996 American crime thriller film. The directorial debut of Kevin Spacey as well as the screenwriting debut of Christian Forte, it stars Matt Dillon, Faye Dunaway, and Gary Sinise. It tells the story of three small-time ...

'' by

Kevin Spacey Kevin Spacey Fowler (born July 26, 1959) is an American actor. He began his career as a stage actor during the 1980s, obtaining supporting roles before gaining a leading man status in film and television. Spacey has received various accolades ...

*''

Grace of My Heart ''Grace of My Heart'' is a 1996 American musical comedy-drama film written and directed by Allison Anders and starring Illeana Douglas, Matt Dillon, Eric Stoltz, Patsy Kensit, and John Turturro. The film charts the music career of Denise Waverly ...

'' by

Allison Anders Allison Anders (born November 16, 1954) is an American independent film director whose films include ''Gas Food Lodging'', ''Mi Vida Loca'' and ''Grace of My Heart''. Anders has collaborated with fellow UCLA School of Theater, Film and Televisio ...

*''

Ponette ''Ponette'' is a 1996 French film directed by Jacques Doillon. The film centers on four-year-old Ponette ( Victoire Thivisol), who is coming to terms with the death of her mother in a car crash. The film received acclaim for Thivisol's performance ...

'' by

Jacques Doillon Jacques Doillon (; born 15 March 1944) is a French film director. He has a habit of giving lead roles to inexperienced young actresses in his films on family life and women. Some actresses to break through are Fanny Bastien, Sandrine Bonnaire, Ju ...

*''

A Summer's Tale ''A Summer's Tale'' (french: Conte d'été) is a 1996 French romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Éric Rohmer. It is the third film in his ''Contes des quatre saisons'' (''Tales of the Four Seasons'') series, which also includes ...

'' by

Eric Rohmer The given name Eric, Erich, Erikk, Erik, Erick, or Eirik is derived from the Old Norse name ''Eiríkr'' (or ''Eríkr'' in Old East Norse due to monophthongization). The first element, ''ei-'' may be derived from the older Proto-Norse ''* ain ...

*''

Goodbye South, Goodbye ''Goodbye South, Goodbye'' is a 1996 crime drama film directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien. The film had its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on 12 May 1996. Plot Gao ( Jack Kao) rides the train to Pinghsi to set up a 10-day gambling den with his frie ...

'' by

Hou Hsiao-hsien Hou Hsiao-hsien (; born 8 April 1947) is a Mainland Chinese-born Taiwanese film director, screenwriter, producer and actor. He is a leading figure in world cinema and in Taiwan's New Wave cinema movement. He won the Golden Lion at the Venice ...

*''

Bound Bound or bounds may refer to: Mathematics * Bound variable * Upper and lower bounds, observed limits of mathematical functions Physics * Bound state, a particle that has a tendency to remain localized in one or more regions of space Geography *B ...

'' by Lilly Wachowski & Lana Wachowski *''

Mother ] A mother is the female parent of a child. A woman may be considered a mother by virtue of having given childbirth, birth, by raising a child who may or may not be her biological offspring, or by supplying her ovum for fertilisation in the cas ...

'' by

Albert Brooks Albert Brooks (born Albert Lawrence Einstein ; July 22, 1947) is an American actor and filmmaker. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for 1987's '' Broadcast News'' and was widely praised for his performance as a ...

*''

Floating Life ''Floating Life'' is a 1996 Australian drama film directed by Clara Law about a Hong Kong family who move to Australia. The film was selected as the Australian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 69th Academy Awards, but was not accep ...

'' by

Clara Law Clara Law Cheuk-yiu (, born 29 May 1957 in Macau) is a Hong Kong Second Wave film director. Law currently resides in Australia. Early life Clara Law was born on 29 May 1957 in Macau. At the age of 10 she moved to Hong Kong. Law studied at the ...

*''

A Summer in La Goulette ''A Summer in La Goulette'' (french: Un été à La Goulette, ar, صيف حلق الوادي, ṣayf Ḥalq el-Wādī) is a 1996 film by Tunisian director Férid Boughedir. It is a narrative of how intercommunal relations deteriorated in cosmopo ...

'' by

Férid Boughedir Férid Boughedir (born 1944) is a Tunisian film director and screenwriter. Career Boughedir has directed five films since 1983. His film '' Caméra d'Afrique'' was screened at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival. In 1996, his film ''Un été à La Gou ...

*'' 2 Days in the Valley'' by

John Herzfeld John Herzfeld (born April 15, 1947) is an American film and television director, screenwriter, actor and producer. His feature film directing credits include '' Two of a Kind'' (1983), ''2 Days in the Valley'' (1996), ''15 Minutes'' (2001) and ' ...

*''

Some Mother's Son ''Some Mother's Son'' is a 1996 film written and directed by Irish filmmaker Terry George, co-written by Jim Sheridan, and based on the true story of the 1981 hunger strike in the Maze Prison, in Northern Ireland. Provisional Irish Republican A ...

'' by

Terry George Terence George (born 20 December 1952) is an Irish screenwriter and director. Much of his film work (e.g. ''The Boxer'', ''Some Mother's Son'', and ''In the Name of the Father'') involves "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland. He was nominated fo ...

*''

Deep Crimson ''Deep Crimson'' ( es, Profundo Carmesí) is a 1996 Mexican crime film directed by Arturo Ripstein, written by Paz Alicia Garciadiego and starring Regina Orozco and Daniel Giménez Cacho. Like ''The Honeymoon Killers'' before it, the film is a dra ...

'' by

Arturo Ripstein Arturo Ripstein y Rosen (born December 13, 1943) is a Mexican film director and screenwriter. Considered the "Godfather of independent Mexican cinema", Ripstein's work is generally characterized by "somber, slow-paced, macabre melodramas tackling ...

*''

Box of Moonlight ''Box of Moonlight'' is a 1996 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Tom DiCillo and starring John Turturro, Sam Rockwell, Lisa Blount and Catherine Keener. Synopsis Al Fountain is a methodic and somewhat neurotic engineer. On the ...

'' by

Tom DiCillo Thomas A. DiCillo (born August 14, 1953) is an American film director, screenwriter and cinematographer. Early life He was born in Camp Le Jeune, North Carolina. His father was Italian and his mother was from New England. He studied creative wri ...

*''Vesna va veloce'' by

Carlo Mazzacurati Carlo Mazzacurati (2 March 1956 – 22 January 2014) was an Italian film director and screenwriter born in Padua. He started his cinema career in 1980. His better known films include ''Il Toro'' (1994) and ''La lingua del santo'' (2000). H ...

*''

Forgotten Silver ''Forgotten Silver'' is a 1995 New Zealand mockumentary film that purports to tell the story of a pioneering New Zealand filmmaker. It was written and directed by Peter Jackson and Costa Botes, both of whom appear in the film in their roles as ...

'' by

Peter Jackson Sir Peter Robert Jackson (born 31 October 1961) is a New Zealand film director, screenwriter and producer. He is best known as the director, writer and producer of the ''Lord of the Rings'' trilogy (2001–2003) and the ''Hobbit'' trilogy ( ...

& Costa Botes *'' Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love'' by

Mira Nair Mira Nair (born 15 October 1957) is an Indian-American filmmaker based in New York City. Her production company, Mirabai Films, specializes in films for international audiences on Indian society, whether in the economic, social or cultural sphe ...

*'' Bastard Out of Carolina'' by

Anjelica Huston Anjelica Huston ( ; born July 8, 1951) is an American actress and director. Known for often portraying eccentric and distinctive characters, she has received multiple accolades, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award, as well as no ...

*''

American Buffalo American Buffalo may refer to: *American Buffalo (play), ''American Buffalo'' (play), a play by David Mamet *American Buffalo (film), ''American Buffalo'' (film), a 1996 film of Mamet's play directed by Michael Corrente *American Buffalo (coin), a ...

'' by

Michael Corrente Michael Corrente (born April 6, 1959) is an American film director and producer. His films include ''A Shot at Glory'', ''American Buffalo'', '' Outside Providence'', ''Brooklyn Rules'' and '' Federal Hill''. '' Federal Hill'' won the Audience A ...

*''

La bouche de Jean-Pierre ''La Bouche de Jean-Pierre'' is a 1996 French drama film directed by Lucile Hadžihalilović. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival The 49th Cannes Film Festival was held from 9 to 20 May 1996 in fil ...

'' by

Lucile Hadžihalilović Lucile Emina Hadžihalilović (born 7 May 1961) is a French writer and director of Bosnian descent. She is best known for the 1996 short film '' La Bouche de Jean-Pierre'' and the 2004 feature-length film '' Innocence'', for which she became t ...

*''Engelchen'' by Helke Misselwitz *''

Kolya ''Kolya'' ( cs, Kolja) is a 1996 Czech drama film about a man whose life is reshaped in an unexpected way. The film was directed by Jan Svěrák and stars his father, Zdeněk Svěrák, who also wrote the script from a story by Pavel Taussig. ''Ko ...

'' by

Jan Svěrák Jan Svěrák () (born 6 February 1965 in Žatec) is a Czech film director. He is the son of screenwriter and actor Zdeněk Svěrák. He studied documentary filmmaking at the FAMU. He and his films have received awards including the Academy Award, ...

Canadian Perspective

*'' Bogus'' by

Norman Jewison Norman Frederick Jewison (born July 21, 1926) is a retired Canadian film and television director, producer, and founder of the Canadian Film Centre. He has directed numerous feature films and has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best D ...

*''Can I Get a Witness?'' by

Kris Lefcoe Kris Lefcoe is a film director and writer based in New York City. She graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in philosophy, before attending Norman Jewison's Canadian Film Centre as a Director Resident. Many of Lefcoe's films are d ...

*''Cat Swallows Parakeet And Speaks!'' by Ileana Pietrobruno *'' The Cockroach that Ate Cincinnati'' by Michael McNamara *'' The Escort (L'Escorte)'' by

Denis Langlois Denis Langlois (born 10 December 1968 in Drancy) is a French race walking, race walker. International competitions References

* 1968 births Living people People from Drancy French male racewalkers Olympic athletes of France Athletes (tr ...

*''

'' by

*'' The Human Plant (La Plante humaine)'' by Pierre Hébert *''

Hustler White ''Hustler White'' is a 1996 film by Bruce LaBruce and Rick Castro, a satirical black sex comedy about gay hustlers and their customers on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, California. It stars Tony Ward and LaBruce in an addition to the ...

'' by

Bruce LaBruce Bruce LaBruce (born January 3, 1964) is a Canadian artist, writer, filmmaker, photographer, and underground director based in Toronto. Life and career LaBruce was born in Tiverton, Ontario. He has claimed both Justin Stewart and Bryan Bruce as ...

*''

Kissed ''Kissed'' is a 1996 Canadian romantic/erotic drama film directed and co-written by Lynne Stopkewich, based on Barbara Gowdy's short story "We So Seldom Look on Love". It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 1996. ...

'' by

Lynne Stopkewich Lynne Stopkewich (born 1964) is a Canadian film director. She attracted attention for her feature film directorial debut '' Kissed'' (1996). Life and career In 1987, Stopkewich obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in film studies from Conc ...

*'' Letters from Home'' by

Mike Hoolboom Michael Hoolboom (born 1 January 1959) is a Canadian independent, experimental filmmaker. Having begun filmmaking at an early age, Hoolboom released his first major work, a "film that's not quite a film" entitled ''White Museum'', in 1986. Alth ...

*''

Lilies ''Lilium'' () is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants growing from bulbs, all with large prominent flowers. They are the true lilies. Lilies are a group of flowering plants which are important in culture and literature in much of the world. M ...

'' by

John Greyson John Greyson (born March 13, 1960) is a Canadian director, writer, video artist, producer, and political activist, whose work frequently deals with queer characters and themes. He was part of a loosely-affiliated group of filmmakers to emerge in ...

*''Lodela'' by Philippe Baylaucq *'' Long Day's Journey into Night'' by David Wellington *''

Lulu Lulu may refer to: Companies * LuLu, an early automobile manufacturer * Lulu.com, an online e-books and print self-publishing platform, distributor, and retailer * Lulu Hypermarket, a retail chain in Asia * Lululemon Athletica or simply Lulu, a C ...

'' by Srinivas Krishna *''Moscow Summer'' by Robin Schlaht *''

Not Me! ''Not Me!'' (french: Sous-sol) is a Canadian drama film, released in 1996."Memories light corners of director's mind". ''Vancouver Sun'', October 12, 1996. The full-length directorial debut of Pierre Gang, the screenplay had been written by Gang a ...

(Sous-sol)'' by

Pierre Gang Pierre Gang is a Canadian film and television director, best known for his 1996 feature film '' Sous-sol''"From the basement to the top: Sous-Sol wins Quebec director international acclaim". ''Montreal Gazette'', June 1, 1996. and the television mi ...

*''

Power Power most often refers to: * Power (physics), meaning "rate of doing work" ** Engine power, the power put out by an engine ** Electric power * Power (social and political), the ability to influence people or events ** Abusive power Power may a ...

'' by

Magnus Isacsson Magnus Isacsson (1948 - August 2, 2012) was a Canadian documentary filmmaker whose films investigated contemporary political issues and topics in social activism. Early life and television career Isacsson was born in Sweden in 1948. His father f ...

*''Project Grizzly (film), Project Grizzly'' by Peter Lynch (director), Peter Lynch *''Shoemaker (film), Shoemaker'' by Colleen Murphy (filmmaker), Colleen Murphy *''Sin Cycle'' by Jack Cocker & Ben Famiglietti *''Soft Like Me'' by Jeffrey Erbach *''Trouble'' by Paul diStefano

Midnight Madness

*''Curdled (film), Curdled'' by Reb Braddock *''Killer Tongue'' by Alberto Sciamma *''Road Movie (video), Road Movie'' by Peter Care *''Organ (film), Organ'' by Kei Fujiwara *''The Stendhal Syndrome'' by Dario Argento *''All of Them Witches'' by Daniel Gruener *''Ratchet'' by John Johnson *''Screwed'' by Alexander Crawford *''Gamera 2: Attack of Legion, Attack of Legion'' by Shusuke Kaneko

Vietnam Perspective

*''When the Tenth Month Comes'' by Đặng Nhật Minh *''The Retired General'' by Nguyễn Khắc Lợi *''Gone, Gone Forever Gone'' by Hồ Quang Minh *''Black Cactuses'' by Lê Dân *''Nostalgia for Countryside'' by Đặng Nhật Minh

Documentaries

*''Looking for Richard'' by Al Pacino *''Microcosmos (film), Microcosmos'' by Marie Pérennou & Claude Nuridsany *''Mondani a mondhatatlant: Elie Wiesel üzenete'' by Judit Elek *''A Tickle in the Heart'' by Stefan Schwietert

References

External links

Official site

TIFF: A Reel History: 1976 - 20121996 Toronto International Film Festival
at IMDb {{DEFAULTSORT:Toronto International Film Festival 1996 Toronto International Film Festival, 1996 1996 film festivals 1996 in Toronto 1996 in Canadian cinema