The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is currently in progress with numerous movies catering to book enthusiasts. TIFF 2026 kicked off on Thursday, Sept. 10 and will run until Sunday, Sept. 20.
CBC Books delved into the festival’s extensive lineup of 293 titles and has identified some of the most eagerly awaited literary-inspired films that should make it to both your reading and watching lists.
### **YAGA**
**Based on:** *YAGA* by Kat Sandler
Renowned Toronto playwright and showrunner Kat Sandler marks her directorial debut with the initial episode of the Crave Original series, *YAGA*. The narrative unfolds in a secluded coastal town, where local detective Carson, together with a private investigator, embarks on a quest to unravel the mystery behind the disappearance of the town’s party enthusiast, Henry Park. As they follow the trail, leading them to a university professor specializing in urban myths, they realize that she holds more enigmas than solutions.
The 2026 series showcases a star-studded Canadian cast, including Hudson Williams from *Heated Rivalry* and Carrie-Anne Moss from *The Matrix* franchise.
### **A Long Winter**
**Based on:** *A Long Winter* by Colm Tóibín
Located in the icy mountains of Colorado, *A Long Winter* narrates a period drama revolving around a young man named Mike coming to terms with his mother’s vanishing during a blizzard. Adapted from Colm Tóibín’s short novel, the storyline delves into Mike’s journey to maturity as he navigates life alongside his distant father.
English filmmaker Andrew Haigh, known for *All of Us Strangers* (2023), directs the film, featuring Fred Hechinger from *The White Lotus* and D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai from FX’s *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, chronicling the hardships he faced during the Vietnam War and as a refugee amid the Iranian Revolution. In Canada, Duong shares his experiences within the Vietnamese diaspora through a father’s perspective addressing his child.
His daughter, Ashley Duong, pays tribute to her father’s narrative by producing a documentary, *Ba’s Book*, where she recreates her father’s childhood stories, reflecting on their family’s journey from Vietnam to Calgary.
### **Being Heumann**
**Based on:** *Being Heumann* by Judith Heumann with Kristen Joiner
Judy Heumann, known as the “Mother of the Disability Rights Movement,” is portrayed in her memoir, *Being Heumann*, which unfolds her journey from battling polio as an infant to becoming an influential disability rights activist. The film adaptation, directed by Siân Heder, highlights Heumann’s activism, including the occupation of a federal building and lobbying efforts that led to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
The movie features Ruth Madeley as Judy Heumann, centering on her courage and advocacy for disability rights.
### **Carrie**
**Based on:** *Carrie* by Stephen King
In the modern adaptation of Stephen King’s horror classic, *Carrie*, the storyline follows a telekinetic teenager seeking vengeance on her high school tormentors. The narrative, reimagined for Gen Z audiences, explores Carrie White’s journey as she grapples with her abusive upbringing and unleashes her supernatural powers.
Director Mike Flanagan, recognized for his works like *Gerald’s Game* and *Doctor Sleep*, leads this fresh take on King’s iconic novel, with Summer H. Howell stepping into the titular role.
### **Clarissa**
**Based on:** *Mrs. Dalloway* by Virginia Woolf
*Clarissa* reimagines Virginia Woolf’s classic novel, *Mrs. Dalloway*, in Nigeria, a century later. The narrative shifts to Lagos, where Clarissa Dalloway and her husband Richard prepare for a grand social event, echoing
