TORONTO OUTDOOR PICTURE SHOW
PRESENTS
When we were young
SUMMER 2025 IN PARKS ACROSS THE CITY
From June 12 through August 24, 2025, Toronto Outdoor Picture Show is proud to present our 15th anniversary festival over 20 evenings of open-air cinema programming at three parks across Toronto: Fort York, Christie Pits, and Corktown Common.
When We Were Young celebrates TOPS’ milestone birthday by throwing back to the festival’s very first curated programme theme – coming of age – to reflect on where we’ve been, where we’re going, and why we fell in love with the movies in the first place.
Stories about the trials and tribulations of youth are a cinematic staple, and this programme includes a diversity of short and feature films about the wonder of childhood, the never-easy process of growing up, and coming of age – at any age.
When We Were Young features coming of age classics young and old, including groundbreaking new kids on the block from the past decade, middle-aged Gen X and Millenial stalwarts, and venerable golden-agers from cinematic eras past. This programme invites you to lay a blanket in the grass and gaze up at the films that take us back to the times When We Were Young (however recent or distant).
The festival season will open at Fort York on June 12 with Baz Luhrmann’s hyper-stylized Romeo + Juliet, a highly influential take on the timeless tale of star crossed lovers featuring young Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. Our six-night opening weekend at Fort York will also feature films such as Steve McQueen’s enthralling depiction of Black music and 1970s London youth culture in Lovers Rock, Jane Schoenbrun’s trans coming-of-age chiller I Saw the TV Glow, and a 30th anniversary screening of Amy Heckerling’s timeless cult teen comedy Clueless.
All TOPS events are accessible and open to the public, with no barriers to entry. TOPS is always free to all, and charitable donations make this possible. As part of the 15th anniversary season, every person who makes a charitable donation of $15 or more on the TOPS website will be invited to vote on the festival’s closing night film in August.
The When We Were Young programme is curated by Artistic & Executive Director Emily Reid, Manager of Programme Admin Isabella Brown, and programming contributors Lauren Baldwin, Rachel Barclay, Tika Francis, David Osubronie, Felan Parker, and Jon Petrychyn.
The complete schedule of films will be announced on May 15, 2025 at TOpictureshow.com
FORT YORK
OPENING WEEKEND
JUNE 12-17
CHRISTIE PITS
SUNDAYS
JULY 6 - AUG 24
CORKTOWN COMMON
THURSDAYS
JULY 3 - AUG 7
OPENING NIGHT
JUNE 12, 2025 - FORT YORK
On opening night, Toronto Outdoor Picture Show sets the stage for this summer’s 15th anniversary When We Were Young programme with Baz Luhrmann’s iconic adaptation of Romeo + Juliet, set in 1990s Venice Beach.
Toronto filmmaker Alicia K. Harris’ short film When Love Came To Kill Us is poetic and dramatic, enfolding two young lovers in magic hour light at the moment that they discover they can’t escape their shared fate. Read more about the Opening Night programme here.
BECOME A DONOR TODAY TO ATTEND THE INSIDERS’ NIGHT EVENT!
Before the festival opens to the public, TOPS looks forward to presenting an Insiders’ Night film screening at Fort York on June 5, 2025. This event is invite-only, and is one of the festival perks that are available to donors — visit topictureshow.com/donate to see all the benefits that donors can enjoy, at a various contribution levels.
The Insiders’ Night event will feature Spike Lee’s enduring coming of age classic Crooklyn, and complimentary snacks and beverages. Become a TOPS donor today — we look forward to celebrating the opening of the 15th anniversary season with you!
ToPS at PARKS ACROSS THE CITY
FULL PROGRAMME WILL BE ANNOUNCED MAY 15
Location: Fort York National Historic Site
Dates: June 12-17, 2025
Location: Christie Pits Park
Dates: Sundays July 6 - August 24, 2025
Location: Corktown Common
Dates: Thursdays July 3 - August 7, 2025
Admission: All events are free to the public, no tickets or advanced registration are required to attend