DEAR EVAN HANSEN TO OPEN TIFF

Toronto International Film Festival organizers have announced the gala and special presentation programs for this year, including opening and closing night films. Dear Evan Hansen, based on the award-winning Broadway show and directed by Stephen Chbosky, will open the festival on Sept. 9. The film centres on an anxiety-ridden teen (Ben Platt, pictured) whose letter to himself as part of therapy lands in the hands of a classmate. “This film is ultimately about healing, forgiveness, and reaffirms how connected and essential we all are to one another,” said Cameron Bailey, TIFF's artistic director and co-head. One Second, Zhang Yimou's love letter to the movies, will close things out on Sept. 18. Organizers also announced other films scheduled to screen, including the world premières of The Eyes of Tammy, The Survivor, All My Puny Sorrows and The Middle Man.