TIFF may be approaching the end of its 2016 run, but that doesn't mean the star power fueling it is fading.
Tonight at Roy Thomson Hall, Rooney Mara continues her busy festival with the premiere of The Secret Scripture. The film is an adaptation of Sebastian Barry's 2008 award-winning novel, and centers on the complex history of an elderly woman confined to a mental hospital. Aside from Rooney, director Jim Sheridan and co-star Vanessa Redgrave are expected to attend. The topnotch talent is slated to arrive at 5:30 p.m. in advance of the film's 6:30 p.m. screening.
Directly after Rooney's film plays, LBJ will take the spotlight at Roy Thomson Hall. The biopic stars Woody Harrelson as Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, who became President after John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. Woody is one of the expected guests on a list that also includes Michael Stahl-David and director Rob Reiner. The movie screens at 9:30 p.m. with the stars set to arrive at 8:30 p.m.
If the Ryerson Theatre is your choice of venue, you're in luck tonight. At 5:15 p.m., actors Jacob Tremblay, Vera Farmiga and Virginia Madsen are expected to walk the red carpet before their film Burn Your Maps screens. In addition to the three stars, the film's director - Jordan Roberts - will also appear. The movie is based on a short story by Robyn Joy Leff and follows an eight-year-old boy who becomes convinced that he is a Mongolian goat herder.
Now that you're up to speed on the action set to unfold tonight, head out and enjoy day 8 of TIFF! Come back here tomorrow for all the info you need on the red carpet events of day 9. ~Matthew Pariselli