TIFF 2023 announces Platform Programme, including Nicolas Cage’s Dream Scenario and a new movie from Tarsem Singh

Last Updated on August 3, 2023

The Toronto International Film Festival has announced the world premieres of ten features that will be included in the 2023 Platform Programme for this year’s festivities. Anita Lee, the Chief Programming Officer of TIFF, has shared her excitement for this year’s entries, “I am delighted to announce that we have an international dream jury with acclaimed filmmakers Barry Jenkins, Nadine Labaki, and Anthony Shim as jury members for the Platform programme at TIFF. Together, they represent the bold and independent spirit of the Platform Prize.”

Robyn Citizen, Director, Programming & Platform Lead, has added her own statement of enthusiasm for the line-up they have compiled. “We are thrilled to present this year’s extraordinary films in the Platform programme, and especially delighted to present Kristoffer Borgli’s latest film Dream Scenario, starring Nicolas Cage, as Platform’s opening film. This surrealist satire-comedy has sharp, timely observations about social media culture — especially ‘going viral’ — and its impact on the way that we interact with others in our day-to-day life. Cage delivers some of his finest work. This year’s diverse selection is distinguished by bold character studies and classic stories told through dynamic narrative and genre approaches. Audiences will witness the emergence of thematic threads like social exile and reconnection, woven in unexpectedly thrilling ways by an array of captivating local and international voices.”

Dream Scenario is a much-anticipated project based on the talent involved alone. It is a comedy from A24 that is produced by Ari Aster and directed by Kristoffer Borgli from his own screenplay. The film stars Nicolas Cage, Julianne Nicholson, who recently won an Emmy for her performance in Mare of Easttown; Dylan Baker (Trick ‘r Treat), Kate Berlant (Sorry to Bother You), Michael Cera (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), Dylan Gelula (First Girl I Loved), and Tim Meadows (The Ladies Man). The list of films in the Platform Program are listed below.

2023 Platform Programme

Dear Jassi Tarsem Singh Dhandwar | India 

World Premiere 

Platform Programme – Opening Night Film

Dream Scenario Kristoffer Borgli | USA

World Premiere

Great Absence Kei Chika-ura | Japan
World Premiere

I Told You So (Te l’avevo detto) Ginevra Elkann | Italy
World Premiere

The King Tide Christian Sparkes | Canada

World Premiere

Not A Word (Kein Wort) Hanna Slak | Germany/Slovenia/France
World Premiere

The Rye Horn (O Corno) Jaione Camborda | Spain/Belgium/Portugal
World Premiere

Sisterhood (HLM Pussy) Nora El Hourch | France

World Premiere

Shame on Dry Land (Syndabocken) Axel Petersén | Sweden
World Premiere

Spirit of Ecstasy (La Vénus d’argent) Héléna Klotz | France
World Premiere