The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is currently in progress, showcasing a diverse array of movies that cater to the interests of book enthusiasts. TIFF 2026 kicked off on Thursday, September 10 and will run until Sunday, September 20.
CBC Books has examined the festival’s lineup of 293 titles and is spotlighting some of the most eagerly awaited films inspired by literature that are worth adding to your reading and viewing lists.
**YAGA**
Based on: *YAGA* by Kat Sandler
Renowned Toronto playwright and showrunner Kat Sandler marks her directorial debut with the premiere of the Crave Original series, *YAGA*, at TIFF 2026. The story unfolds in a secluded coastal town, where local detective Carson and a private investigator are on a mission to unravel the disappearance of Henry Park, the town’s resident party enthusiast. Their investigation leads them to a university professor specializing in urban legends, revealing a web of secrets and enigmas.
An adaptation of Sandler’s 2018 play, *YAGA* reimagines the mystical character from Slavic folklore in a modern-day whodunnit setting. The star-studded Canadian cast includes Hudson Williams from *Heated Rivalry* and Carrie-Anne Moss of *The Matrix* franchise.
**A Long Winter**
Based on: *A Long Winter* by Colm Tóibín
Set in the icy mountains of Colorado, *A Long Winter* is a period drama centered around a young man named Mike grappling with his mother’s disappearance following a blizzard. Adapted from Colm Tóibín’s short novel, the narrative follows Mike as he matures while enduring his mother’s absence, living alongside his distant father.
English filmmaker Andrew Haigh, known for directing *All of Us Strangers* in 2023, helms the film. The cast features Fred Hechinger from *The White Lotus* and Toronto-born actor D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, recognized for his role in the FX series *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 penned by Duong to his daughter, recounting the traumas he endured during the Vietnam War and as a refugee amid the Iranian Revolution in the 1970s. In Canada, Duong shares his journey within the Vietnamese diaspora through the lens of a father communicating with his child.
In honor of her father’s narrative, Ashley Duong crafts a documentary titled *Ba’s Book*, reenacting her father’s childhood anecdotes and tracing her family’s migration from Vietnam to Calgary.
**Being Heumann**
Based on: *Being Heumann* by Judith Heumann with Kristen Joiner
Recognized as the “Mother of the Disability Rights Movement,” Judy Heumann campaigned for the initial civil rights legislation safeguarding individuals with disabilities. Her memoir, *Being Heumann*, chronicles her personal growth, from being paralyzed by polio as an infant to her activism in adulthood.
In 1977, Heumann orchestrated a federal building occupation in San Francisco, later pressuring President Jimmy Carter’s administration in D.C. Her endeavors influenced numerous disability rights advocates, culminating in the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The film adaptation, *Being Heumann*, directed by Siân Heder, portrays Heumann’s remarkable journey. Heder previously won an Academy Award for the 2021 film *CODA*.
**Carrie**
Based on: *Carrie* by Stephen King
In the latest iteration of Stephen King’s debut horror novel *Carrie*, the story of the telekinetic teenager is reimagined for a Gen Z audience. The narrative follows Carrie White, a sheltered girl seeking retribution against her high school tormentors, including her abusive mother. Director Mike Flanagan, known for his adaptations of King’s works, brings a fresh perspective to this classic tale, catering to modern audiences.
This will be Flanagan’s third adaptation of King’s works, following *Gerald’s Game*, *Doctor Sleep*, and *The Life of Chuck*. Born in Salem, Massachusetts, Flanagan is recognized for his adaptations of *The Haunting of Hill House*, *The Haunting of Bly Manor*, and *The Fall of the House of Usher*.
**Clarissa**
Based on: *Mrs. Dalloway* by Virginia Woolf
*Clarissa* reimagines Virginia Woolf’s 1925 novel *Mrs. Dalloway* in Nigeria over a century later. The original story portrays a day in the life of a woman in London’s elite society as she prepares for a party. Nigerian filmmakers Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri transport the narrative to Lagos, delving into