The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is currently ongoing, offering a plethora of movies tailored for literary enthusiasts to enjoy. TIFF 2026 commenced on Thursday, Sept. 10, and will run until Sunday, Sept. 20.
CBC Books meticulously combed through the festival’s array of 293 titles, curating a selection of the most anticipated films inspired by literature that are worth adding to both your reading and viewing lists.
**YAGA**
**Based on:** *YAGA* by Kat Sandler
Toronto playwright and showrunner Kat Sandler ventures into the director’s chair with the premiere of the Crave Original series, *YAGA*, at TIFF 2026. The plot unfolds in a secluded coastal town, where local detective Carson teams up with a private investigator to unravel the mystery of the disappearance of the town’s party boy, Henry Park. Their investigation leads them to a university professor specializing in urban myths, revealing a web of secrets waiting to be uncovered.
An adaptation of Sandler’s 2018 play, *YAGA* reimagines the witchy character from Slavic folklore as a contemporary mystical thriller. The star-studded Canadian cast includes Hudson Williams from *Heated Rivalry* and Carrie-Anne Moss from *The Matrix* series.
**A Long Winter**
**Based on:** *A Long Winter* by Colm Tóibín
Nestled in the chilly mountains of Colorado, *A Long Winter* is a period drama narrating the story of a young man named Mike grappling with his mother’s disappearance following a blizzard. Derived from Irish writer Colm Tóibín’s novella, Mike undergoes a coming-of-age journey as he navigates life alongside his distant father.
English filmmaker Andrew Haigh, renowned for *All of Us Strangers* in 2023, directs the film, featuring Fred Hechinger from *The White Lotus* and Toronto-born actor D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai of FX’s *Reservation Dogs*.
**Ba’s Book**
**Inspired by:** *Dear Da-Lê* by Anh Duong
Anh Duong’s 2024 memoir, *Dear Da-Lê*, unfolds through a series of narrative letters recounting the author’s traumatic experiences during the Vietnam War and as a refugee amid the Iranian Revolution in the 1970s. In Canada, Anh Duong shares his narrative within the Vietnamese diaspora, portraying a father’s poignant letters to his daughter.
In homage to her father’s narrative, Ashley Duong crafts the documentary *Ba’s Book*, recreating her father’s childhood anecdotes and their family’s journey from Vietnam to Calgary.
**Being Heumann**
**Based on:** *Being Heumann* by Judith Heumann with Kristen Joiner
Judy Heumann, known as the “Mother of the Disability Rights Movement,” advocated for pioneering civil rights legislation safeguarding individuals with disabilities. Her memoir, *Being Heumann*, chronicles her journey from being paralyzed by polio as an infant to becoming a prominent disability rights activist.
In 1977, Heumann orchestrated a federal building occupation in San Francisco, urging President Jimmy Carter’s administration to enact crucial legislation. The film adaptation, *Being Heumann*, directed by Siân Heder, sheds light on Heumann’s impactful activism leading to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
**Carrie**
**Based on:** *Carrie* by Stephen King
In the fifth rendition of Stephen King’s debut horror novel, *Carrie*, the tale of the telekinetic teenager is reimagined for contemporary Gen Z audiences. The story revolves around Carrie White, a sheltered girl seeking vengeance on her high school bullies under the thumb of her abusive mother.
Director Mike Flanagan, known for adaptations like *Gerald’s Game* and *Doctor Sleep*, brings King’s eerie narrative to life, catering to a new generation of horror enthusiasts.
**Clarissa**
**Based on:** *Mrs. Dalloway* by Virginia Woolf
*Clarissa* breathes new life into Virginia Woolf’s 1925 novel, *Mrs. Dalloway*, setting the stage in modern Nigeria over a century later. The narrative unfolds in Lagos, where Clarissa Dalloway and her husband Richard prepare for a grand social event, delving into past relationships, political turmoil, and existential reflections amidst the buzz of the gathering.
Nigerian filmmakers Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri reimagine Woolf’s classic, intertwining themes of societal dynamics and personal introspection against the vibrant backdrop of Lagos.
**Edward Said: Between Worlds**
**Inspired by:** the writing of Edward Said
*Edward Said: Between Worlds* is a documentary compiling archival footage of the Palestinian American scholar throughout his public career. An activist, writer, and Columbia University professor, Said’s seminal works, including *Orientalism