The Toronto International Film Festival has selected 'Being Heumann' as its opening film for the 51st edition. The film, directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Siân Heder, adapts the memoir of disability rights activist Judy Heumann and stars Ruth Madeley in the lead role. The story follows a pivotal 1977 protest in which disabled activists occupied the San Francisco Federal Building for 28 days to compel federal enforcement of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which required buildings to become accessible.

Two additional world premieres will screen at the festival. 'Prima Facie,' directed by Susanna White and starring three-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo, adapts an award-winning stage play about a British defence barrister whose legal career unravels amid personal crisis. Korean director Hur Jin-ho will premiere 'The Assassin(s),' a historical thriller examining the 1974 attempted assassination of South Korean president Park Chung-hee, featuring actors Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il and Lee Min-ho. The festival runs from September 10 to 20.