Siân Heder's disability rights drama opens 51st Toronto International Film Festival

The short version

• Director Siân Heder's film 'Being Heumann' opened the 51st Toronto International Film Festival on Thursday night.[Variety · The Hollywood Reporter]
• Starring Ruth Madeley, the drama depicts activist Judy Heumann leading the 1977 sit-in protest that paved the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act.[Variety · The Hollywood Reporter]
• Heder cast actors with disabilities across the ensemble, honoring Heumann, who passed away in 2023.[Variety · The Hollywood Reporter]
• The festival runs through September 20, and the film is scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 6 before streaming on Apple TV.[Variety · The Hollywood Reporter]

Key facts

• Siân Heder's film 'Being Heumann' opened the 51st Toronto International Film Festival on Thursday night.[Variety · The Hollywood Reporter]
• The film stars Ruth Madeley as activist Judy Heumann and dramatizes the 1977 campaign and 28-day sit-in that paved the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act.[Variety · The Hollywood Reporter]
• Director Siân Heder decided to cast actors with disabilities to portray disabled individuals in the movie.[Variety · The Hollywood Reporter]
• Judy Heumann passed away in 2023.[Variety]
• The theatrical release for 'Being Heumann' is set for November 6 before it streams on Apple TV.[Variety]
• Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow attended the festival's opening, and the event runs through September 20.[The Hollywood Reporter]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• TIFF Opens With Siân Heder’s Crowd-Pleasing ‘Being Heumann’ — and Apple Has Its Next Oscar ContenderVariety metered
• Sian Heder Says “Collective Action Matters” as ‘Being Heumann’ Opens Toronto Film FestivalThe Hollywood Reporter metered