Oscar-Winning Director Siân Heder’s “Being Heumann” to Open Toronto Film Festival

Siân Heder, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind CODA, is set to bring her next feature, Being Heumann, to the Toronto International Film Festival as its opening-night selection. The film stars Ruth Madeley as disability rights activist Judy Heumann and is backed by Apple Studios.

The drama adapts Heumann’s memoir and revisits one of the most important chapters in the disability rights movement. It focuses on Heumann’s leadership of a 28-day sit-in at the San Francisco Federal Building in 1977, when nearly 100 disabled activists pressed the U.S. government to enforce Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The protest became a defining moment in the fight for accessibility and equal rights in the United States.

After the critical success of CODA, Heder appears to be continuing her signature approach to emotionally rich storytelling rooted in real social issues. Her collaboration with Apple on this project pairs a powerful historical narrative with a standout lead performance from Madeley, giving the film strong festival momentum and early awards-season potential.

The Toronto premiere gives Being Heumann a major showcase and reflects the festival’s ongoing commitment to stories about underrepresented communities and grassroots activism. It also brings renewed attention to Heumann’s legacy as a trailblazing figure in disability rights.

With Heder at the helm and the story grounded in civil rights history, Being Heumann is shaping up to be one of TIFF’s most anticipated titles. It also marks another important step in Heder’s career, reinforcing her reputation as one of the most respected filmmakers working today.