The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has kicked off, offering a wide array of movies for literature enthusiasts. TIFF 2026 commenced on Thursday, Sept. 10 and will run until Sunday, Sept. 20.
CBC Books has sifted through the festival’s lineup of 293 titles to spotlight some highly anticipated films inspired by literature that should be on both your reading and watching lists.
**YAGA**
**Based on:** *YAGA* by Kat Sandler
Toronto playwright and showrunner Kat Sandler steps into the director’s chair for the debut episode of the Crave Original series, *YAGA*. The story unfolds in a remote coastal town where local detective Carson, alongside a private investigator, embarks on a mission to unravel 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 for them to uncover.
An adaptation of Sandler’s 2018 play, *YAGA* transforms the witchy character from Slavic folklore into a modern-day mystical whodunnit. The star-studded Canadian cast of the 2026 series features Hudson Williams from *Heated Rivalry* and Carrie-Anne Moss from *The Matrix* franchise.
**A Long Winter**
**Based on:** *A Long Winter* by Colm Tóibín
Set in the icy Colorado mountains, *A Long Winter* is a period drama that follows a young man named Mike as he grapples with his mother’s disappearance following a blizzard. Adapted from Irish writer Colm Tóibín’s novella, the story delves into Mike’s coming-of-age journey as he navigates the days turning into weeks without his mother, alongside his distant father.
English filmmaker Andrew Haigh, known for directing *All of Us Strangers* in 2023, helms the film, which stars 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*, narrates the author’s traumatic experiences during the Vietnam War and as a refugee amid the Iranian Revolution in the 1970s. Now residing in Canada, Duong shares his journey within the Vietnamese diaspora through the lens of a father addressing his child.
In a reverse storytelling approach, Duong’s daughter, Ashley Duong, pays tribute to her father’s narrative through a documentary titled *Ba’s Book*. The film revisits her father’s childhood tales, reflecting on their family’s migration from Vietnam to Calgary.
**Being Heumann**
**Based on:** *Being Heumann* by Judith Heumann with Kristen Joiner
Known as the “Mother of the Disability Rights Movement,” Judy Heumann championed for the initial civil rights legislation protecting individuals with disabilities. Her memoir, *Being Heumann*, depicts her personal evolution, from battling polio as a child to her activism as an adult.
In 1977, Heumann orchestrated a federal building sit-in in San Francisco, later pressuring the Carter administration in D.C. Her advocacy paved the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The film adaptation, *Being Heumann*, directed by Siân Heder, spotlights Heumann’s life journey and activism.
**Carrie**
**Based on:** *Carrie* by Stephen King
In the fifth adaptation of Stephen King’s debut horror novel, *Carrie*, the telekinetic teenager’s story gets reimagined for Gen Z audiences. The narrative follows Carrie White, a sheltered girl seeking vengeance on her high school bullies under her abusive mother’s influence. The film marks Mike Flanagan’s latest project, following his success with King adaptations like *Gerald’s Game* and *Doctor Sleep*.
These are just a few of the literary-inspired films gracing the screens at TIFF 2026, highlighting the diverse narratives and talents converging at the prestigious festival.