Culture 4 min read By Lauren Baxter
‘Being Heumann’ Trailer Offers First Look at Siân Heder’s TIFF Opening Film
Apple Original Films released the first teaser for Being Heumann, Siân Heder’s follow-up to CODA, starring Doctor Who alum as disability-rights advocate Judy Heumann. The film will premiere as the opening selection of the Toronto Film Festival.
Apple Original Films has unveiled the first teaser trailer for Being Heumann, the upcoming feature from Oscar-winning filmmaker Siân Heder, whose previous work CODA took home the Best Picture prize. The new film is set to make its world premiere next week as the opening night selection of the Toronto International Film Festival, a slot that signals strong awards-season ambitions for the project.
The film tells the true story of Judy Heumann, a pioneering disability-rights advocate whose activism helped shape modern accessibility laws and public attitudes. Heumann, who passed away in 2023, was a central figure in the disability rights movement, known for leading protests and pushing for legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act. The teaser offers a first look at the actress portraying Heumann, a Doctor Who alum whose identity had not been previously confirmed in promotional materials.
Heder, who wrote and directed CODA, has described Being Heumann as a deeply personal project. The film is adapted from Heumann’s memoir of the same name, co-written with Kristen Joiner, which chronicles her childhood experiences with polio, her fight to attend public school, and her decades-long career as an advocate and government official. Heumann served in the Clinton and Obama administrations and was a key architect of disability policy at the international level.
The Toronto Film Festival has a history of launching Oscar contenders, and the choice of Being Heumann as its opening film places the project in a prominent spotlight. Apple Original Films has been building a reputation for prestige releases, and the studio is expected to mount a significant campaign for the movie during the upcoming awards season. The teaser, released Wednesday, emphasizes both the personal stakes of Heumann’s journey and the broader social movement she helped lead.
Early reactions to the trailer have highlighted the film’s emotional tone and Heder’s ability to blend intimate storytelling with larger historical themes. The casting of the Doctor Who alum has generated particular interest among fans of both the actress and the source material. While the teaser does not reveal extensive plot details, it establishes the film’s period setting and introduces Heumann’s determination in the face of systemic barriers.
Being Heumann is produced by Heder alongside a team that includes several veterans of CODA. The project has been in development for several years, with Heumann’s involvement before her death adding a layer of authenticity to the production. The film’s premiere at TIFF will be followed by a theatrical release, though Apple has not yet announced a specific date.
The Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 10 through September 20, with Being Heumann screening on opening night. The selection marks a return to the festival for Heder, whose earlier work has been celebrated for its humanistic approach to stories about marginalized communities. As the first major awards-season title to debut this fall, the film is poised to become a central talking point among critics and audiences alike.
