Being Heumann, writer /director Sian Heder’s film opened the Toronto Film Festival 2026 at a private Gala Premiere screening held at the Roy Thompson Hall in downtown Toronto on Thursday Sept 10.
Staring performances by Ruth Madeley as Judith Heumann, and Oscar Nominee Mark Ruffalo as Joseph Califano playing the Secretary of Health Education and Welfare.
Cameron Bailey CEO of TIFF, opened the 2026 festival at the Roy Thompson Hall with remarks about the great City of Toronto, joked about Lake Ontario and made mention of the many filmmakers over the years that debut at TIFF, Barry Jenkins, Medicine for Melancholy 2008, and Sarah Polley Canadian director /actress debut in 2006 Away from Her, and Christopher Nolan’s film Following in 1998, the now Academy Award winner.
Chair of the TIFF board announced John Tory the former mayor will be taking over the Board of Directors of TIFF 2027. He joked about Lavazza coffee being TIFF’s major sponsor and then said it was true, as guests were hosted on the street to free coffee all weekend and the TIFF Program was presented by Lavazza. Current Toronto Mayor Chow stated the city of Toronto’s commitment to TIFF for $10 million dollars over the next 5 years.
Sian Heder the writer director of TIFF 26 opening night gala film “Being Heumann” spoke about her meeting with Ruth Heumann and how they worked on the project together until Ruth’s passing and how she knew Ruth was meeting with other directors to make this film and immediately upon meeting, they decided to work together. Heder’s film reveals what Ruth Heumann’s life and legacy for fighting for disability rights and winning the battle to get government to pass section 504 was really like in the 1970’s.
The film stars actress Ruth Madeley depicting the life of Judith Heumann. Heumann’s leadership drives the powerful story of her 1977 campaign for disability rights.
Faced with resistance from government officials like Secretary Califano, Judy’s unwavering determination and strategic activism galvanized a diverse coalition of marginalized groups of people the hearing impaired, the blind and the physically challenged to demand action. The groups came together occupied federal buildings, and organized protests in Washington.
It was Judy Heumann’s courage, resilience, and vision, turning an impossible dream into a historic victory for accessibility and civil rights. Her relentless advocacy and inspiring leadership highlight the importance of perseverance in the fight for justice, making her a true hero at the forefront of this transformative movement.
The director Sian Heder also spoke about casting Ruth Madeley to play Judith Heumann and said that even though Ruth is from Manchester, England she said Ruth has the same tenacity that Judy Heumann from Brooklyn had to win this battle.
The entire cast included; Ruth Madeley, Madeline Delp, Mark Ruffalo, Dylan O’Brien, Rob Delaney, Daniel Durant, Roberta Colindrez, Antwan Tolliver, Jon Beavers, Ray Fisher, Andrew Pilkington, Michael Patrick Thornton, Russell Harvard, Charlie Rush-Reese, Rio Finnegan, D’Arcee Charrington Neal, Will Brill, Matthew August Jeffers, Sienna Rafter, and Rein Barcel.
All the actors came on stage and each expressed in their own way their gratitude and excitement about being cast in the move and how they also experienced an empowerment while being cast as a group of disabled actors to portray, authentic disabled group of persons who fought and won section 504 disability act .
Theatrical Release: November 6, 2026 (select theaters)
Streaming Release: November 13, 2026, on Apple TV
Distributor: Apple Original Films / Apple Studios [1, 2, 3]
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