Guillermo del Toro, Jodie Foster, HIKARI, and Lee Byung Hun Among Honourees at 2025 TIFF Tribute Awards

Cameron Bailey, CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival, announced the first round of honourees for the 2025 TIFF Tribute Awards, set to take place on September 7 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. The annual gala, now in its seventh year, recognizes individuals whose artistic achievements have shaped and elevated global cinema and marks the unofficial start of awards season.

Among this year’s recipients is Guillermo del Toro, the Academy Award–winning Mexican filmmaker, who will receive the TIFF Ebert Director Award. Del Toro, a longtime friend of the Festival, returns with the Gala Presentation of his live-action feature Frankenstein. His history with TIFF dates back to Cronos (1993) and includes Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water, the latter winning the Festival’s People’s Choice Award and ultimately four Academy Awards.

Joining him is Jodie Foster, a two-time Oscar winner whose career spans more than five decades. Foster will receive the TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award, presented by Joanna Griffiths and the Women of Knix, recognizing her work as an actor, director, and advocate for women in film. She returns to TIFF with Private Life, a French-language psychological drama directed by Rebecca Zlotowski.

Japanese writer-director HIKARI, known for her Berlinale-winning debut 37 Seconds, will be honoured with the TIFF Emerging Talent Award, presented by Amazon MGM Studios. Her sophomore feature, Rental Family, starring Brendan Fraser, will make its world premiere at the Festival.

South Korean actor Lee Byung Hun, whose career has spanned both international blockbusters and acclaimed Korean cinema, will receive a TIFF Special Tribute Award. Byung Hun will appear at TIFF with the North American premiere of No Other Choice, directed by Park Chan-wook.

Actor Brendan Fraser, who received the TIFF Tribute Performer Award in 2022 for The Whale, will return to the stage as this year’s Honorary Chair. “TIFF continues to champion bold storytelling,” Fraser said in a statement. “To be part of its 50th edition as Honorary Chair is an honour.”

Bailey called the honourees “exceptional artists who have each left an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape,” adding, “We’re thrilled to welcome them to Toronto.”

The TIFF Tribute Awards serve as the Festival’s largest annual fundraiser. Proceeds support TIFF’s 50th anniversary campaign, Transform Together, an initiative focused on talent development, artist recognition, and community engagement. Rolex joins this year as exclusive Presenting Partner, with continued support from RBC, Don Julio, and Fairmont Royal York.

The Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, will take place September 4 to 14, 2025. Additional programming announcements are expected in the coming weeks.