Penelope Cruz, Isabelle Huppert among first recipients of 2026 TIFF Tribute Awards

TORONTO: The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced the first recipients of its eighth annual TIFF Tribute Awards, with actors Penelope Cruz, Isabelle Huppert and Rosalind Eleazar, filmmaker Lee Chang-dong and director Sian Heder set to be honoured during the gala on September 13, according to Variety.

Oscar-winning actor Penelope Cruz will receive the TIFF Special Tribute Award, while Isabelle Huppert and Rosalind Eleazar will be honoured with the TIFF Tribute Performer Award. Acclaimed South Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-dong will receive the TIFF Ebert Director Award, and Sian Heder will be presented with the TIFF Tribute Award in Impact Media.

Announcing the first five honourees of this year’s TIFF Tribute Awards, presented in partnership with @ROLEX with support from @RBC, Fairmont Royal York Hotel, and Don Julio. #TIFF26 https://t.co/yQSMbQEr5w

— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) July 29, 2026

Announcing the honourees, TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey praised their contributions to cinema. “Now in its eighth year, the TIFF Tribute Awards celebrate some of cinema’s most exciting artists at an event dedicated to the transformative power of film. From the captivating performances of Isabelle Huppert, Penelope Cruz and Rosalind Eleazar to Lee Chang-dong and Sian Heder’s vital filmmaking, each has shown a profound impact on screen storytelling. It’s our privilege to recognize their achievements as we gather to celebrate another exceptional year in film and rally support for TIFF’s ongoing work,” Bailey said.

Cruz arrives at this year’s festival with two films, La Bola Negra, the Spanish-language drama that premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, and Bunker, in which she stars alongside Oscar winner Javier Bardem. The latter is directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Florian Zeller.

Lee Chang-dong will return to TIFF with the Special Presentations premiere of Possible Love, marking his first feature film since the critically acclaimed Burning (2018), according to Variety.

Rosalind Eleazar, known for her performance in Apple TV+’s Slow Horses, stars in Misty Green, written and directed by comedian and filmmaker Chris Rock,

Meanwhile, Sian Heder will make her TIFF debut with the world premiere of Being Heumann, her first feature since CODA, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2022 and earned Heder the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, according to Variety.

The TIFF Tribute Awards serve as the festival’s largest annual fundraiser, with proceeds supporting expanded access to cinema, artist development and industry initiatives.

The 51st Toronto International Film Festival will take place from September 10 to 20. Over the years, the festival has established itself as a major launchpad for awards-season contenders, with previous People’s Choice Award winners including Chariots of Fire, American Beauty, Slumdog Millionaire and Green Book, according to Variety. (ANI)