Making the cut are movies starring Helen Mirren, Jodie Comer, Laura Linney, Rhys Ifans, Erin Doherty and James McAvoy and other, far less known titles
By John Hopewell, Naman Ramachandran, Marta Balaga, Christopher Vourlias, Jennie Punter, Rafa Sales Ross, Roberto Prieto
'Glaxo' Courtesy of RT Features, Rei Pictures Helen Mirren, Laura Linney, Rhys Ifans, Erin Doherty and James McAvoy star in three of the biggest U.K. titles world premiering at Toronto and making Variety’s 2026 selection of 20 International Titles to Track at this year’s Toronto.Jodie Comer sings (very creditably Variety suggests), in a fourth U.K. package, gothic rom-com “Stuffed” as romance takes unpredictable turns at Toronto.
As in 2025, multiple more Platform titles, 42% made up of movies from female directors, could have made the selection. It focuses on new titles, hence what otherwise would be startling omissions such as “Jim Queen,” or Spain’s Cannes main competition trio. The list is by no means definitive. But what it does point up is the presence this year of new and noteworthy voices, such as Scotland’s Tom Nicoll and Ireland’s David Turpin. Some of the films may feature in the Oscars race. The Platform selection of Gabriel Martins’ “On Behalf of My Son,” as Variety notes, consolidates its status as the biggest international hope this year from a Brazilian director.
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