The Oscar-nominated actor will be heading the jury for 2021 TIFF’s platform competition after Sound of Metal had its world premiere at the festival in 2019
With the unveiling of its competition lineup for the Platforms category, the Toronto International Film Festival also announced Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning actor Riz Ahmed as head of the jury for the Platforms program.
Ahmed starred in Sound of Metal, which had its world premiere at the Platforms competition in 2019. For his stunning performance, he was subsequently nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars and became the first Muslim actor nominated in the acting category.
The lineup for the platform section includes Laurent Cantet's Arthur Rambo and Scott McGehee and David Siegel’s Montana Story. The Ahmed-led jury will select the film that will take home the Platform Prize for “demonstra[ting] a strong directorial vision”.
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“TIFF has always been a festival that showcases bold and daring cinema on a global stage. Its commitment to celebrating small independent films, like Sound of Metal, has had such a significant impact on my career and many others,” Ahmed said.
“I’m looking forward to watching all of this year’s selections and working alongside my fellow jury members,” he added.
The Toronto International Film Festival will take place from September 9–18, 2021.
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