The personal belongings of festival-goers are seen at the site of an attack on the Nova Festival by Hamas terrorists from Gaza, near Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, Oct. 12, 2023. Photo: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) announced this week its 2026 Centrepiece program lineup and the selection includes the world premiere of Israeli director Avi Nesher’s drama “Our Loves,” highlighting the deadly Hamas-led terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 2023, in southern Israel.

The film written and directed by Nesher is “about the ways that love intensifies and second chances are possible in the face of adversity and mayhem,” according to a description provided by TIFF. It follows an ensemble of five characters whose lives become intertwined after they are all impacted by the Oct. 7 attack. The movie was co-produced by Fox Entertainment Studios, Access Entertainment, United King Films, Artomas Communications and Israel’s Sipur Studios, which said it is “a story of courage, resilience, and the enduring human spirit.” The studio also produced the documentary We Will Dance Again,” about the Oct. 7 massacre at the Supernova music festival.

“Our Loves” stars Shalom Michaelshvili, Magi Azarzar, Yaniv Biton, Noa Cohen, Lena Fraifeld, Hadas Yaron, Kim or Azulay, Nunu, Lior Miller, Leib Levin and Elad Turgeman, with newcomer Daniel Gimpel.

“Our Loves” is the 21st film from Nesher, whose past credits include “Past Life,” “The Other Story” and “The Matchmaker.” His daughter Tom Nesher’s 2024 directorial debut “Come Closer,” which was inspired by the death of her brother and Avi Nesher’s son, won four Ophir awards and represented Israel at the Academy Awards. The film also won awards at the Tribeca Film Festival and the Jerusalem Film Festival.

The nominees of Israel’s Ophir Awards were announced on Sunday and “Our Loves” received 12 nominations, including best picture, director, screenplay and cinematography. The winner of the best picture award becomes Israel’s submission in the category of best foreign film at the Academy Awards.

TIFF’s 2026 Centrepiece lineup features 54 films representing filmmakers from 50 countries, and 10 world premieres. The 51st edition of the Toronto Film Festival will take place Sept. 10-20 and the full schedule for the festival will be released on Aug. 11.