Joaquin Phoenix to Receive Acting Award at TIFF Ahead of Joker Premiere

Joaquin Phoenix is set to open Joker at the Toronto International Film Festival, and will receive an acting award before the premiere. The TIFF announced on Friday (per Variety) that Phoenix will join Meryl Streep in receiving an Actor Award at the festival’s inaugural Tribute Gala. The festival runs from September 5th through the 15th, and Joker will premiere there as a step toward a hopeful showing at the Oscars. The film is also entering competition at the Venice Film Festival at director Todd Phillips’ request.

“Displaying both raw instinct and consummate technical skill, Joaquin Phoenix is the complete actor, and one of the finest in contemporary cinema,” TIFF co-head Cameron Bailey said in a statement. “Over three decades, he has brought a piercing truth to each groundbreaking role. TIFF is thrilled to be celebrating an artist of his caliber with this inaugural award.”

“We’re thrilled that the extraordinarily talented Joaquin Phoenix will be honored at the TIFF Tribute Gala this September,” festival co-head Joana Vicente added. “His outstanding contribution to cinema acts as a testament to TIFF’s core mission to transform the way people see the world through film.”

The gala takes place on September 9th and will also recognize Taika Waititi with the TIFF Ebert Director Award, as well as Participant Media with the TIFF Impact Award.