Stephen Chbosky’s screen adaptation of the Broadway musical, Dear Evan Hansen, has been selected to open the 46th annual Toronto International Film Festival this fall.

“There was no question that Dear Evan Hansen was the ideal film to launch the festival this year,” Cameron Bailey, TIFF’s artistic director and co-head, said. “This film is ultimately about healing, forgiveness and reaffirms how connected and essential we all are to one another. We couldn’t think of a more important idea to celebrate this year as we come together once again to share the power and joy of cinema in theaters together.”

Zhang Yimou’s One Second will close the Canadian event, which is set to run Sept. 9-18.

“Every September we invite the whole film world to Toronto, one of the most diverse, movie-mad cities in the world,” Bailey said. “And to have Zhang Yimou’s film here, now, is a true joy.”

Gala presentations will include Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast; Will Sharpe’s The Electrical Life of Louis Wain; Michael Showalter’s The Eyes of Tammy Faye; Alison Klayman’s Jagged; Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho; Melanie Laurent’s The Man Women’s Bell; Danis Goulet’s Night Raiders, Barry Levinson’s The Survivor and Walt Becker’s Clifford the Big Red Dog.

The festival will also show Denis Villeneuve’s Dune; Clio Barnard’s Ali & Ava; Terence Davies’ Benediction; Mia Hansen-Love’s Bergman Island; Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Drive My Car; Michael Pearce’s Encounter; Antoine Fuqua’s The Guilty; Maria Schrader’s I’m Your Man; Phillip Noyce’s Lakewood; Jacques Audiard’s Paris, 13th District; Celine Sciamma’s Petite Maman; Ted Melfi’s The Starling; Nanni Moretti’s Three Floors and Joachim Trier’s The Worst Person in the World.

Last year’s festival was a virtual affair because of the coronavirus pandemic, while this year’s edition will feature in-person screenings.  

Canadian officials have announced they are lifting border restrictions Aug. 9 for fully vaccinated U.S. citizens, paving the way for stars and filmmakers to attend the festival.