TIFF Unveils Gala, Special Presentations Featuring 'Rocky' Biopic

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) announced its 2026 Gala and Special Presentations programs on Monday, highlighting feature films from close to 30 countries. The festival will showcase works from acclaimed directors including Danny Boyle, Pedro Almodóvar, Cristian Mungiu, Chris Rock, Mike Leigh, Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, and Hirokazu Kore-eda. Among the key selections are the world premiere of "I Play Rocky," a biopic about the making of the iconic film "Rocky," and Chris Rock's latest directorial effort, "Misty Green."

"I Play Rocky" stars Thomas Guiry as Sylvester Stallone and explores the challenging production of the 1976 film that launched Stallone's career. The biopic is directed by Jeff Zimbalist. "Misty Green" marks Chris Rock's return to directing feature films after a hiatus, with details about its plot remaining under wraps, though its inclusion in the prestigious Special Presentations section suggests significant anticipation.

The festival's programming aims to represent a diverse range of global cinema, with films spanning genres and originating from various international film industries. TIFF's artistic director, Cameron Bailey, stated that the selected films represent a broad spectrum of cinematic voices and stories, underscoring the festival's commitment to discovering and celebrating new talent alongside established filmmakers. The full lineup for the 2026 festival is expected to be released in the coming weeks, with further details on specific screening dates and additional program sections to follow.