The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), running from 4-14 September, continues to roll out its expansive line-up, unveiling the Discovery section yesterday. The festival’s reliable port of call for emerging talents and underrepresented regions in the world industry, it’s composed this year of 23 titles, all of which are world premieres, with half of these having majority or minority European involvement.

Beginning with a title highlighted by gathering itself, Belgian director Cato Kusters makes her debut in the section with Julian [+lee también:
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entrevista: Cato Kusters
ficha de la película], notably the inaugural majority production from Lukas and Michiel Dhont’s new production company The Reunion, and sold by their usual collaborator The Match Factory. Based on the book by artist, writer and LGBTQ+ advocate Fleur Pierets, which draws from her life story, it follows two young women quixotically aiming to get married in every country where it is permitted.

Also well promoted in the festival’s marketing is Zamo Mkhwanazi’s Laundry [+lee también:
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One of three UK titles in the line-up, Nadia Latif’s The Man in My Basement [+lee también:
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Among the other selected first features, two stand out: Forastera [+lee también:
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The section’s track record in launching A-list careers is evidenced by its alumni, who include Ildikó Enyedi, Alfonso Cuarón, Julie Dash, Jean-Marc Vallée, Christopher Nolan, Maren Ade, Yorgos Lanthimos, Barry Jenkins, Dea Kulumbegashvili, Emma Seligman and Elegance Bratton.

Here is the full list of titles:

Discovery

Maddie’s Secret - John Early (USA) (opening film)
As We Breathe [+lee también:
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Oca - Karla Badillo (Mexico/Argentina)
Babystar [+lee también:
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The Son and the Sea [+lee también:
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Out Standing - Mélanie Charbonneau (Canada)
Noviembre - Tomás Corredor (Colombia/Mexico/Brazil/Norway)
Sink [+lee también:
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Retreat - Ted Evans (UK)
Ghost School - Seemab Gul (Pakistan)
Little Lorraine - Andy Hines (Canada)
Forastera [+lee también:
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Egghead Republic [+lee también:
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Julian [+lee también:
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entrevista: Cato Kusters
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100 Sunset - Kunsang Kyirong (Canada)
The Man in My Basement [+lee también:
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Dinner with Friends - Sasha Leigh Henry (Canada)
Bayaan - Bikas Ranjan Mishra (India)
Laundry [+lee también:
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Our Father [+lee también:
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ficha de la película] - Goran Stankovic (Serbia/Italy/Croatia/North Macedonia/Montenegro/Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Mārama - Taratoa Stappard (New Zealand)
Amoeba [+lee también:
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Nika & Madison - Eva Thomas (Canada)