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Director Sian Heder arriving at the premiere of Being Heumann
Awards & Red Carpet

Siân Heder’s 'Being Heumann' Kicks Off Toronto Film Festival 2026

The 'CODA' director returns to the festival circuit as TIFF launches its 51st edition packed with world premieres.

By Nina BrooksPublished Updated 1 min read

The fall movie marathon is officially underway. The 51st Toronto International Film Festival launched on Sept. 10, 2026, launching ten stacked days of red-carpet premieres, starry galas, and early buzz for the upcoming awards season. Leading the charge on opening night is *Being Heumann*, the highly anticipated new feature from director Siân Heder. The filmmaker previously made a massive splash on the festival circuit with her heartfelt drama *CODA*, which went on to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Now, all eyes are on her latest project to see if lightning can strike twice.

What is Being Heumann about?

*Being Heumann* takes center stage as TIFF’s official opening-night selection. The movie explores the powerful life story of disability rights activist Judy Heumann, detailing her lifelong fight for civil rights, accessibility, and inclusion. With Heder behind the camera, the film arrives with significant expectations from festival attendees and industry insiders alike. The Toronto showcase serves as the critical third leg of the major autumn festival circuit. Coming right on the heels of major gatherings in Venice and Telluride, Toronto offers studios a high-profile platform to roll out their biggest awards contenders and crowd-pleasers to international audiences.

How long does TIFF 2026 run?

Over the course of its 10-day run, the event will host dozens of world premieres alongside exclusive gala screenings. Top Hollywood talent, independent creators, and film lovers from across the globe have descended on the city to catch early glimpses of the titles expected to dominate conversations through the winter. With a crowded schedule running through mid-September, moviegoers can expect non-stop red carpet glamour and intense speculation over which titles will emerge as runaway hits. As the festival unfolds, early audience reactions from Toronto could very well set the pace for the entire movie calendar year.

The backstory

Verified moments, in order.

‘Being Heumann’: The fight before the film

A rejected teaching license, a federal sit-in and a memoir: Judy Heumann’s fight for disability rights supplies the story behind Siân Heder’s adaptation.

  1. Flashpoint

    New York says she cannot teach. She sues.

    Being Heumann — New York says she cannot teach. She sues.

    Judy Heumann, who uses a wheelchair after contracting polio as a child, challenges the New York City Board of Education after it denies her a teaching license on physical grounds. The case ends in a settlement, and she becomes the city’s first wheelchair-using public-school teacher.

  2. Flashpoint

    The protest moves into a federal building

    Being Heumann — The protest moves into a federal building

    Heumann helps lead the San Francisco Section 504 sit-in, demanding regulations to enforce the Rehabilitation Act’s ban on disability discrimination in federally funded programs. Protesters occupy federal offices for nearly a month. Health, Education and Welfare Secretary Joseph Califano signs the regulations on April 28.

  3. Disability rights become federal law

    Being Heumann — Disability rights become federal law

    President George H. W. Bush signs the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26. Heumann is among the activists whose organizing helps secure the landmark law, which extends protections against disability discrimination across employment, public services and public accommodations.

  4. The memoir puts her name on the cover

    Being Heumann — The memoir puts her name on the cover

    Heumann publishes ‘Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist,’ co-written with Kristen Joiner. She also features prominently in ‘Crip Camp,’ the documentary connecting a summer camp for disabled teenagers with the disability-rights movement.

  5. Heder takes on the adaptation

    Being Heumann — Heder takes on the adaptation

    Apple acquires the film rights to ‘Being Heumann,’ with Siân Heder attached to write and direct. The deal puts Heumann’s account of exclusion, organizing and independence on a path to a dramatic screen adaptation.

  6. 2023-03-04

    Heumann dies at 75

    Being Heumann — Heumann dies at 75

    Heumann dies in Washington, D.C. Her career has taken her from street protests to public office, including service as assistant secretary for special education and rehabilitative services under President Bill Clinton and special adviser for international disability rights under President Barack Obama.

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People also ask

What film opened the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival?
Siân Heder’s feature film Being Heumann served as the official opening-night presentation for TIFF 2026.
Who directed Being Heumann?
The film was directed by Siân Heder, who previously won an Oscar for her Best Picture-winning drama CODA.
How long does the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival run?
The 51st edition of the festival runs for 10 days, featuring a wide array of world premieres and gala screenings.