A dazzling roster of cinema greats, from icons of performance to masters behind the scenes, will be celebrated at TIFF’s gala honoring global storytelling.

A Celebration of Cinema’s Finest

August 22, 2025: The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has revealed its final slate of Tribute Award honorees, set to be celebrated at the gala fundraiser on September 7 at the Fairmont Royal York. This year’s distinguished lineup includes:

Idris Elba — receiving the Impact Media Award for his exceptional track record merging entertainment with advocacy. His directorial debut, Dust to Dreams—starring Seal—will also premiere at TIFF.

Channing Tatum — recognized with the Performer Award, the Roofman actor joins a historic list of TIFF honorees who later earn Oscar recognition.

Nina Hoss — also a Performer Award recipient, known for her emotionally powerful performances and appearing in Nia DaCosta’s Hedda.

Catherine O’Hara — presented with the Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award, celebrating decades of comedic and dramatic excellence, from Schitt’s Creek to Beetlejuice.

Honoring the Visionaries Behind the Scenes

TIFF’s Tribute Awards also spotlight remarkable contributions beyond acting:

Kazu Hiro, the Oscar-winning makeup artist known for transforming actors into icons—from Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour to Leonard Bernstein in Maestro—will receive the Variety Artisan Award.

Jafar Panahi and Zacharias Kunuk will be bestowed Special Tribute Awards for their powerful cinematic voices and cultural impacts—Panahi with his resilient Iranian storytelling under censorship, Kunuk for his deep-rooted Inuit narratives.

A Platform for Recognition and Giving Back

Now entering its 50th edition, TIFF’s Tribute Awards serve as its largest annual fundraising gala. Proceeds go toward supporting the festival’s talent development programs focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Iconic actor Brendan Fraser will return to TIFF this year as the Honorary Chair.

Why It Matters

These awards underscore the multifaceted nature of film—honoring acts of on-screen brilliance, transformative craftsmanship, and storytelling that challenges boundaries. As TIFF continues its legacy, this year’s awards underscore both the festival’s prestige and its momentous milestone.