… Eighth annual Tribute Awards gala fundraiser takes place Sunday, September 13, 2026 at Fairmont Royal York Hotel Toronto
Babajide Fadoju
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced the first group of esteemed honourees for its eighth annual Tribute Awards, celebrating outstanding contributions to cinema and serving as the kick-off to awards season. The annual awards gala, presented in partnership with Rolex, will take place on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel Toronto.
Academy Award-winning actor Penélope Cruz will receive the TIFF Special Tribute Award, presented by CHANEL; visionary auteur Lee Chang-dong will be honoured with the TIFF Ebert Director Award, presented by The Tory Family; acclaimed actor Rosalind Eleazar and French screen icon Isabelle Huppert will be presented with TIFF Tribute Performer Awards; and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Siân Heder will receive the TIFF Tribute Award in Impact Media, presented by Anne-Marie Canning.
Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF, expressed his delight at the announcement, stating, “Now in its eighth year, the TIFF Tribute Awards celebrates some of cinema’s most exciting artists at an event dedicated to the transformative power of film. From the captivating performances of Isabelle Huppert, Penélope Cruz, and Rosalind Eleazar to Lee Chang-dong and Siân Heder’s vital filmmaking, each has shown a profound impact on screen storytelling. It’s our privilege to recognize their achievements as we gather to celebrate another exceptional year in film and rally support for TIFF’s ongoing work.”
Penélope Cruz, the first actress from Spain to be nominated for and win an Academy Award, has two films premiering at this year’s Festival: Bunker from Oscar-winning writer-director Florian Zeller and La Bola Negra, directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi. The Special Tribute Award recognizes an individual who has made an extraordinary and unique contribution to the world of film, leaving a lasting legacy through their dedication and artistry. Previous recipients include Lee Byung Hun, Zacharias Kunuk, Jafar Panahi, Zhao Tao, Andy Lau, Dionne Warwick, and David Foster.
Lee Chang-dong, the Korean filmmaker returning to TIFF with the Special Presentations premiere of his eagerly anticipated Possible Love, has built an international reputation through films that profoundly contemplate contemporary humanity and society, including Peppermint Candy, Oasis, Secret Sunshine, and the internationally revered Burning. The TIFF Ebert Director Award, named after legendary film critic Roger Ebert, recognizes visionary filmmakers who have made a transformative impact on cinema. Past recipients include Guillermo del Toro, Mike Leigh, Spike Lee, Sam Mendes, Denis Villeneuve, and Chloe Zhao.
Rising British powerhouse Rosalind Eleazar receives the TIFF Tribute Performer Award for her magnetic performance in Chris Rock’s Misty Green, while French screen icon Isabelle Huppert, with a career spanning over 100 films, re-teams with Marc Fitoussi in his latest comedy All About Corinne, a TIFF Gala Presentation. The TIFF Tribute Performer Award recognizes an overall body of work. Past recipients include Nina Hoss, Channing Tatum, Amy Adams, Jharrel Jerome, Colman Domingo, Vicky Krieps, Brendan Fraser, Jessica Chastain, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kate Winslet, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Meryl Streep, and Joaquin Phoenix.
Siân Heder, the American writer, director, and producer behind the Oscar-winning CODA, makes her Festival debut with the World Premiere of Being Heumann, an inspiring historical drama celebrating the paradigm-shifting activist Judy Heumann. The TIFF Tribute Award in Impact Media, previously bestowed upon Idris Elba, Angelina Jolie, Pedro Almodóvar, Mira Nair, and Alanis Obomsawin, recognizes leadership in creating a union between social impact and cinema.
The Tribute Awards gala is TIFF’s largest annual fundraiser and a world-class celebration of cinematic excellence, with proceeds supporting expanded access to cinema, championing artists, strengthening the industry, and bringing communities together through film. The 51st edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, runs from September 10 to 20, 2026.