Toronto Film Festival Opens 50th Edition With Ryan Reynolds' John Candy Documentary

The 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) opened its 50th edition with a strong celebration of Canadian talent and cinema, highlighted by the world premiere of the documentary "John Candy: I Like Me," produced by Ryan Reynolds. The documentary honors the late Toronto-born comedy icon John Candy and features tributes from notable actors such as Steve Martin, Tom Hanks, and Eugene Levy. Reynolds, who wore a suit with a Canadian maple leaf and expressed deep admiration for Candy, emphasized the importance of embracing imperfection and creativity. The festival, running through September 14, also showcased star-studded appearances including Sydney Sweeney, Cillian Murphy, and Shailene Woodley, all promoting their respective films. TIFF has long been recognized as a starting point for awards season, with premieres often leading to Oscar success. The opening night and subsequent events underscored Toronto's pride in its local heroes and the festival's role in celebrating cinematic achievements worldwide.