A fresh edition of Variety’s Future in Focus has gathered together at TIFF, with James McAvoy, Rebel Wilson and other stars joining to discuss directorial debuts, fall films and new technology.
During a panel at the Toronto Film Festival, James McAvoy and Rebel Wilson spoke about moving behind the camera to grow as artists, while directors Rachel Morrison and Liz Garbus were open about the obstacles that continue to hold women back in Hollywood.
Utopai Studios hosted a private gathering that paired actors with directors for a discussion on innovation, AI and the present condition of the film business. The conversation examined how technological change and corporate upheaval are reshaping the craft of filmmaking, and the panelists came away from the talk feeling hopeful about where the medium is headed.
McAvoy on Becoming a Monster
It has been 20 years since McAvoy first came to TIFF with his film “The Last King of Scotland.” He now returns as both director and producer. His directorial debut, “California Schemin’,” reaches U.S. theaters on Oct. 9. This year he also came back for “Faith,” a British supernatural drama from director Paul Andrew Williams, starring opposite Erin Doherty.
The man said he has become “the monster I never wanted to be” by taking on the producer role. “California Schemin’” follows two Scottish rappers who pretended to be American in order to secure a record deal.
The contrast McAvoy pointed to was between his previous appearances at TIFF and his present role. When acting, he could simply focus on “breeze in, breeze out.” Now, as director and producer, he must build connections with financiers — those who hold the power to bring independent films into existence.
He also shared what drew him to “Faith.” He plays Michael, an enigmatic stranger who helps a single mother grapple with an unimaginable tragedy. “One of the main themes is about how we deal with pain, how we deal with loss, how we deal with trauma,” he said. “The film is called ‘Faith’ and it demands a bit of faith in it.”
Morrison on Breaking the Rules
Cinematographer Rachel Morrison, whose work has earned her an Oscar nomination, returned to TIFF with her second film behind the camera, “Love of Your Life.” Her directorial debut, “The Fire Inside,” had its premiere at the festival in 2024.
Morrison said she found her vision for the character aligned with the director’s right away, after casting Margaret Qualley as Maya, an ER nurse whose romantic life sets her on a path toward self-discovery.
“I’m somebody who was shaped from loss and also grief and transformation and all of the things,” Morrison said, noting that it “maybe even took me a while to realize just how personal it was.” She worked with Amazon MGM Studios to create a romantic drama that felt real but also beautiful and full of hope.
What’s Trending at TIFF
The films on this year’s festival circuit are focusing on human connectivity and handcrafted art, according to Matt Donnelly, Variety’s executive editor of film. “It’s almost like a rebellion against AI in a way,” he said. “It’s so interesting to see how this collision of really handcrafted, meticulous human stories are converging with technology.”
Among the standout films are “The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd” with Amanda Seyfried, “Bucking Fastard” starring Kate and Rooney Mara, “Prima Facie” with Cynthia Erivo, and Rebel Wilson directing “Girl Group.”
A Bright Future, Maybe
The motion picture industry is slowly closing the gap between men and women, yet change is happening at a very slow pace. Morrison became the first woman to be nominated for best cinematographer at the Oscars for 2017’s “Mudbound,” a distinction only four women have received. Last year, Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman to win, after lensing Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners.”
When asked about the difficulty women face with budgeting, Morrison pointed directly at the leap itself as the problem. She said the challenge is getting over that barrier. “You see these guys who shoot a small movie, and then they’re given money for their next movie, a lot of money, and that doesn’t happen nearly as often with women,” she said. “And the hurdle seems to be making the leap when it comes to budget. And for no reason — they’re just as untested.”
The panelists looked ahead with hope, pointing to a technology that keeps changing and an industry that keeps shifting, even as the stories continue to get made.
| Film | Director | Lead Actor |
|---|---|---|
| “California Schemin’” | James McAvoy | — |
| “Faith” | Paul Andrew Williams | Erin Doherty |
| “Love of Your Life” | Rachel Morrison | Margaret Qualley |
| “Girl Group” | Rebel Wilson | — |
Many tales at the festival circuit carry a handcrafted feel, and the panelists would like to see even more of those.
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