TIFF’s 51st edition is also giving world premieres at Roy Thomson Hall to Prima Facie from British director Susanna White and The Assassin(s) from Korean auteur Hur Jin-ho. After the Hollywood studios shunned Cannes with big ticket titles, Apple Studios is bringing Heder’s adaptation of disability rights activist Judy Heumann’s best-selling memoir of the same name, with Ruth Madeley in the titular role as Judy Heumann.

“Being Heumann features an electric performance from Ruth Madeley in the story of Judy Heumann, a world-changing advocate for accessibility,” Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF, said about his first night movie pick. Mark Ruffalo also stars in Being Heumann. Heder and Rebekah Taussig co-wrote the script, which Heder produces through overall deal with Apple Studios.

Heder’s previous collaboration with Apple includes directing the film CODA, which won Oscars for best picture, best supporting actor for Troy Kotsur and best adapted screenplay for Heder’s script. Heder also exec produced the series Little America.

With Being Heumann to open TIFF, Apple and major studios return to Toronto for the advantages of having their star-driven movies premiere at a major public festival with  Canadian audiences embracing Hollywood stars on red carpets and film premiere stages, with TIFF continuing as launch-pad for Hollywood movies.

There will be world premiere for Prima Facie, which stars Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo adaptation of Suzie Miller’s play and Australia-U.K. co-production between Bunya Productions and Embankment Films.

The legal drama, directed by White (Woman Walks Ahead, Our Kind of Traitor) follows Tessa’s journey from brash, young lawyer who takes pride in successfully depending individuals accused of sexual assault.

Tessa’s view of the British legal system changes after she is sexually assaulted by a colleague and goes through the court process herself.

Toronto is also giving a first look to Korean director Hur Jin-Ho’s film, The Assassin(s) mystery thriller set against the backdrop of the 1974 attempted assassination of Korean president Park Chung-hee.

Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il and Lee Min-ho topline The Assassin(s), set for  commercial release later this year. The Korean debuted earlier films in Toronto, A Normal Family, Dangerous Liaisons and April Snow.

The Toronto Film Fest, set to run Sept. 10 to 20, will this year include an inaugural TIFF: The Market.