John Early and Nadia Latif Debut New Films at Toronto Film Festival
The Toronto Film Festival has announced the inclusion of several exciting new films in its Discovery sidebar, which showcases first-time and emerging filmmakers. Among the highlights is John Early’s debut feature, Maddie’s Secret, which will serve as the opening film for the festival. This year marks the 25th edition of the Discovery section, featuring a total of 23 world premieres.
In Maddie’s Secret, Early takes on the role of director, weaving a narrative about Maddie, a Food Network content creator who struggles to keep her dark past hidden from public view. The film features a cast of familiar faces from the Los Angeles stand-up comedy scene, including Kate Berlant, Vanessa Bayer, and Connor O’Malley.
Another notable entry is Nadia Latif’s The Man in My Basement. This film delves into the horror genre, following an African American man portrayed by Corey Hawkins, who finds himself on the brink of losing his family home. A white businessman, played by Willem Dafoe, offers to rent his basement in a deal that ultimately leads to unforeseen consequences.
Diverse Storytelling in the Discovery Lineup
The Discovery section is rich with diverse narratives, including Julian, directed by Cato Kusters. This love story revolves around two women, Fleur, played by Nina Meurisse, and Julian, played by Laurence Roothooft, who plan to marry in 22 countries where it is legally permitted. Their journey takes a tragic turn following four marriages.
In a different genre, Taratoa Stappard presents Marama, a Maori gothic horror film featuring Ariana Osborne as a young woman battling to reclaim her indigenous identity in Victorian-era Britain. The lineup also includes two films focused on deaf characters: Ted Evans’ debut thriller Retreat, featuring an all-deaf cast, and Stroma Cairns’ The Son and the Sea, which tells the story of three boys, one of whom is profoundly deaf.
The variety continues with Amoeba by Siyou Tan, showcasing a young woman’s rebellion at an elite all-girls school, and Laundry by Zamo Mkhwanazi, set against the backdrop of South Africa’s apartheid era. Additionally, Eva Thomas makes her solo directorial debut with Nika & Madison, which follows two Indigenous women on the run after a violent encounter with law enforcement.
Additional Films and Festival Details
The Discovery sidebar will also feature Kunsang Kyirong’s 100 Sunset, a character-driven mystery, Bikas Ranjan Mishra’s police drama Bayaan, and Andy Hines’ crime thriller Little Lorraine, starring Stephen Amell and Colombian reggaeton artist J Balvin in his film debut.
Other anticipated films include Tomas Corredor’s Noviembre, Karla Badillo’s Oca, and Seyhmus Altun’s As We Breathe. The Toronto Film Festival will take place from September 4 to 14, 2025, with more announcements about the lineup expected in the coming weeks. This year’s festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of innovative storytelling and emerging talent in the film industry.
