Highly anticipated films starring Adam Driver, Miles Teller, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, and Paul Giamatti are coming to the 2026 Festival this Fall.
(SEPTEMBER 2, 2026) WINDSOR, Ont. — The Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF) is thrilled to announce Paper Tiger as the Opening Night film of WIFF 2026. The latest film from director James Gray premiered in competition at Cannes earlier this year, and will be making its North American premiere at the New York Film Festival before joining us at WIFF ahead of its theatrical release later this Fall. Gray delivers stellar performances from Adam Driver and Miles Teller as brothers in New York who get involved with the mafia. The film also stars Scarlett Johansson and is distributed by Neon and Elevation Pictures in the USA and Canada, respectively.
Closing out the 2026 Festival, WIFF is proud to present the latest film from director Jesse Eisenberg, The Debut. Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti star in the dark comedy about a bored suburban housewife and an enigmatic stage director. The film will have its premiere at TIFF in September, then will close out WIFF 2026 ahead of its theatrical release in December. The film is distributed by A24 and Elevation Pictures in the USA and Canada, respectively.
This year’s Centrepiece selection will be a sentimental one for many in the Windsor-Essex area. Year over year, many of us make the trip to Stratford, Ontario to experience top-tier theatrical performances, many of which are thanks to Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino. WIFF is pleased to present This Above All: The Theatrical Life of Antoni Cimolino, directed by Barry Avrich. As Cimolino steps away from the Stratford Festival after a decades-long career at the theatre and as its longest-serving Artistic Director, we look back on his legacy and celebrate his final season.
“We’re starting our WIFF 2026 announcements on a high note to set the tone of the wonderful Festival that is to come. With major films as tentpoles for the week, we still have so many great films for you to discover,” said Vincent Georgie, Executive Director and Chief Programmer for WIFF.
Tickets for these films are available online now, as well as festival passes, general ticket 10-packs, and premium ticket 3-packs.
WIFF 2026 will run from Thursday, October 29 to Sunday, November 8, 2026. The 2026 festival is proudly presented by the Toldo Foundation. Funding provided by Telefilm Canada and the Government of Ontario. This event has been financially assisted by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, a program of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, administered by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation.
The full festival lineup will be revealed on Tuesday, September 22, with all tickets going on sale the same day. Following the announcement will be two free community screenings of a selection of WIFF 2026 trailers, hosted at the Capitol Theatre.
Stay in touch with WIFF via the festival’s Facebook page, X (Twitter), Instagram, or by signing up to receive WIFF news via email by visiting windsorfilmfestival.com.
More about the films:
The Debut directed by Jesse Eisenberg
November 8, 2026 at 6 PM | Get Tickets
When Mona Friedman (Julianne Moore) is cast in a bit part at a small community theater, she transforms from a shy, unassuming housewife into a zealous method actor willing to do anything to protect the artistic integrity of her marginal role—even if it means waging war against the show’s domineering director (Paul Giamatti).
Paper Tiger directed by James Gray
October 29, 2026 at 6 PM | Get Tickets
In James Gray’s deeply felt and intense drama, two brothers (Adam Driver, Miles Teller) become entangled in a scheme that turns out to be too good to be true. As they try to navigate their way through the dangerous world of the Russian mafia, family bonds begin to fray with life-altering consequences.
This Above All: The Theatrical Life of Antoni Cimolino directed by Barry Avrich
November 3, 2026 at 6 PM | Get Tickets
Antoni Cimolino, the Stratford Festival’s longest-serving artistic director, began his Festival journey as an actor four decades ago. As he prepares for his final season, this documentary offers an exclusive insight as Cimolino reflects on his legacy. With candid and powerful interviews from actors, directors and collaborators, the film presents a raw portrait of a leader closing an extraordinary chapter while paving the way for the Festival’s future.
Plus, passes to the WIFF Industry Conference are now available
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Check out our recommendations of what to watch this weekend.
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