Windsor International Film Festival Unveils First Films for 2025

The Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF) has announced the first ten films for its 2025 edition, generating excitement among cinema enthusiasts. Executive Director and Chief Programmer Vincent Georgie expressed enthusiasm, stating, “We can’t wait to share what we’ve been planning all year, and all of the great films we’ve discovered along the way.” The festival, marking its 21st annual iteration, will take place from October 23 to November 2, 2025, and will expand into Detroit this year, offering a broader platform for filmmakers.

Among the highlighted films is Mile End Kicks, the sophomore project from director Chandler Levack, who earned the WIFF Prize in Canadian Film nomination in 2022 for her debut, I Like Movies. This new film is set against the backdrop of the vibrant Montreal music scene, exploring themes of love and heartbreak.

The festival will conclude with the psychological drama After the Hunt, directed by acclaimed Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino. The film features a star-studded cast, including Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, and Ayo Edebiri. The storyline follows a college professor grappling with a personal and professional crisis after a star student makes a serious accusation against a colleague. Complicating matters, a dark secret from her past threatens to resurface.

Highlight Films and Special Features

This year’s Centrepiece Film will be Turandot, directed by renowned artist Ai Weiwei. The film captures the artist’s journey as he produces his interpretation of the Italian opera, using it as a lens to address urgent global issues such as the war in Ukraine, refugee crises, and the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The festival’s lineup also features several compelling titles, including Sentimental Value by Joachim Trier, A Private Life directed by Rebecca Zlotowski, and The President’s Cake by Hasan Hadi. Other noteworthy films include My Mother’s Wedding from Kristin Scott Thomas, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You by Mary Bronstein, No Other Choice from Park Chan-wook, and The History of Sound directed by Oliver Hermanus.

The complete festival lineup will be unveiled on September 16, 2025, coinciding with the start of ticket sales. For more information about the festival and updates on screenings, interested individuals can visit windsorfilmfestival.com.

As the festival approaches, the anticipation for diverse storytelling from both emerging and established filmmakers continues to build, promising a rich cinematic experience for attendees.