Toronto Film Festival Unveils Platform Lineup Featuring Rodrigo Prieto’s ‘Pedro Páramo,’ Nacho Vigalondo’s ‘Daniela Forever’ and More

As a dedicated cinephile with years of immersion in the world of cinema, I am thrilled to share my perspective on this year’s Toronto International Film Festival Platform lineup. This diverse and captivating selection of films represents an exciting exploration into the minds of emerging filmmakers from around the globe.


As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that the Toronto International Film Festival has announced the ten extraordinary films that will be featured in its Platform section. This special part of the festival is dedicated to showcasing up-and-coming filmmakers from every corner of the world.

Among the offerings are: “Rodrigo Prieto’s first attempt at directing a film, ‘Pedro Páramo’; Olivier Sarbil’s documentary ‘Viktor’, which explores the Russian invasion of Ukraine through the lens of a war photographer; Gabrielle Brady’s examination of climate change’s effect on Mongolian herders titled ‘The Wolves Always Come at Night’; Tallulah H. Schwab’s Kafkaesque production ‘Mr. K’, featuring Crispin Glover as an enigmatic traveling magician; and Carlos Marqués-Marcet’s contemporary dance-musical and ensemble drama, ‘They Will Be Dust’, which earned him a Goya award.”

At the opening of the film section, “Daniela Forever” by Nacho Vigalondo will be shown. This movie features Henry Golding and Beatrice Grannò in the lead roles. A total of 17 countries are represented through these films, including Spain, Taiwan, Bulgaria, Belgium, Greece, Italy, Mexico, and Ukraine.

In this year’s jury, we have Atom Egoyan, a renowned Canadian director, screenwriter, and producer who has been nominated for an Academy Award (“The Sweet Hereafter”), acting as the jury leader. Additionally, Hur Jin-ho from South Korea, known for his filmmaking skills in “A Normal Family,” and Jane Schoenbrun, an American filmmaker and essayist, are also part of the jury.

For nine years now, this program has been running. Previously, we’ve recognized Barry Jenkins’ “Moonlight” and Darius Marder’s “Sound of Metal.” These films are contenders for the Platform Prize, which comes with a $20,000 CAD reward.

See the full lineup below.

Daniela Forever” — Opening FilmNacho Vigalondo | Spain/Belgium World Premiere
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Henry Golding conveys the deep sorrow of a grieving man who joins a experimental study for a medication that lets him meet with his late lover, portrayed by Beatrice Grannò, in vivid dreams.

“Daughter’s Daughter” Huang Xi | Taiwan World Premiere
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At TIFF 2024, renowned Taiwanese filmmaker Huang Xi presents her newest production, “Daughter’s Daughter.” Known for her debut film “Missing Johnny” and the HBO series “Twisted Strings,” Huang now explores the complexities of mother-daughter relationships in this poignant work. After enduring a tragic accident that claimed the life of her youngest child, a mother is forced to face her eldest daughter whom she had given up for adoption following an unexpected teenage pregnancy.

“Mr. K” Tallulah H. Schwab | Netherlands/Belgium/Norway World Premiere
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As a film critic with over a decade of experience under my belt, I’ve had the pleasure of watching a multitude of films from all around the world. Among them, I’ve come across some truly unique and thought-provoking works that have left a lasting impression on me. “Mr. K,” directed by Tallulah H. Schwab, is one such film.

“Paying for It” Sook-Yin Lee | Canada World Premiere
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In “Paying For It,” Canadian artist, musician, and actor Sook-Yin Lee bridges the gap between the past and present. She gathers together Toronto’s underground artists and trailblazing musicians from different generations to create a vivid portrayal of Toronto’s cultural scene at the turn of the millennium. With a touch of subtle humor and an excellent ensemble cast, this movie is a unique adaptation of Chester Brown’s 2011 autobiographical graphic novel. Due to its deeply personal connections, this film can only be brought to life by Lee herself.

“Pedro Páramo”Rodrigo Prieto | Mexico
World Premiere

In an apparently deserted Mexican town, where the past and present intriguingly blend, Rodrigo Prieto, a renowned cinematographer known for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” makes his directorial debut with an enchanting tale filled with longing, deceit, and legacy.

“Wolves Only Appear Under the Cover of Darkness” or “Nighttime is When Wolves Emerge.”

Gabrielle Brady, a talented Australian filmmaker and scriptwriter known for “Hungry Ghosts,” exposes the deep emotional scars inflicted by climate change and urban relocation on Mongolian herders. The poignant narrative unfolds through the personal journey of a family. When their home in rural Mongolia is destroyed by a catastrophic storm brought about by climate change, a young couple must learn to cope with their new reality in the city. This powerful and moving film seamlessly blends the beauty and sadness of their adaptation.

“They will become dust” (Se convertirán en polvo) – Carlos Marqués-Marcet
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Carlos Marqués-Marcet, a renowned Spanish filmmaker, scriptwriter, and editor, is known for his innovative and thought-provoking work. His 2014 production, “10.000 KM,” which earned him the Goya Award for new directors, invites viewers on a captivating journey to confront the inevitable reality of death.

“Triumph”Petar Valchanov, Kristina Grozeva | Bulgaria/Greece World Premiere
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Petar Valchanov and Kristina Grozeva’s newest film, along with their previous works “The Lesson” (TIFF ’14) and “Glory” (2016), create a trilogy inspired by extraordinary news stories from their native land. These stories demonstrate that real life can be more astonishing than any fiction.

“Viktor” Olivier Sarbil | Ukraine/USA World Premiere
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In this powerful documentary by experienced war photographer and filmmaker Olivier Sarbil, we gain a profoundly personal insight into the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Through skillfully combined visuals and sound, “Viktor” provides a moving portrayal of a Deaf person’s journey through the turmoil and conflict.

“Winter in Sokcho” Koya Kamura | France World Premiere
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In his first film, director Koya Kamura tells the story of a young woman living in the wintry town of Sokcho. She spends her days working at a guesthouse and trying to establish her own identity. However, her routine is thrown off when a French artist arrives as a guest.

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2024-07-23 17:18