Toronto, ON – The highly anticipated stop-motion anime film “Junk World,” directed by Takahide Hori, is slated to have its international premiere at the 50th annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The film is a significant addition to the festival’s renowned Midnight Madness program.
A Deep Dive into the Midnight Madness Selection
“Junk World” joins a curated selection of ten films in the Midnight Madness section, which is celebrated for showcasing bizarre, strange, and cult-worthy genre cinema. The program, known for its late-night screenings at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, includes seven world premieres, two Canadian premieres, and one international premiere—which is “Junk World”.
Peter Kuplowsky, the lead programmer, describes Midnight Madness as “the wild side of the Toronto International Film Festival,” where unique genre films emerge. Other notable films in this year’s Midnight Madness lineup include Ben Wheatley’s “Normal,” starring Bob Odenkirk, and Bryan Fuller’s directorial debut “Dust Bunny,” featuring Mads Mikkelsen and Sigourney Weaver.
“Junk World”: A Prequel in a Dystopian Saga
“Junk World” is a prequel to Hori’s 2017 stop-motion feature, “Junk Head,” taking place 1,042 years before the events of the first film. The film delves deeper into the dystopian future established in “Junk Head,” where humanity has developed underground due to a decrease in surface habitats.
The Story of “Junk World”
The narrative of “Junk World” centers on a surprise attack during a joint expedition involving humans and their emancipated clones, known as Mulligans. This event becomes a pivotal point for a dimension-hopping, time-traveling tale. The film introduces a human female captain named Tris and her robot companion, Robin (who appeared as Parton in “Junk Head”), as they investigate strange happenings in the underground city of Karpbar.
The film explores the uneasy truce between humans and Mulligans, an artificial species originally created as a labor force that later rebelled and formed their own subterranean society. Hori, who is celebrated for his meticulous, nearly one-man production approach, served as director, screenwriter, cinematographer, gaffer, and editor for “Junk World,” among other roles.
Takahide Hori’s Unique Filmmaking Process
Takahide Hori is renowned for his painstaking and highly individualistic approach to stop-motion animation. His dedication to the craft is evident in the fact that he spent seven years creating “Junk Head,” and then a “mere” three-and-a-half years on “Junk World.” His work began with the 2013 short film “Junk Head 1,” which garnered critical acclaim, including the Best Animation prize at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival. The subsequent feature-length “Junk Head” also received recognition, including a Special Mention at the Fantasia Film Festival and a best director honor at Fantastic Festival.
Hori is currently working on the third film in the “Junk” trilogy, tentatively titled “Junk End,” which is set to take place approximately 50 years after “Junk Head.”
TIFF 2025: Dates and Details
The 50th Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, will take place from September 4 to September 14, 2025. While “Junk World” opened in Japan on June 13, 2025, its international premiere at TIFF marks a significant milestone. The full festival schedule is expected to be released on August 12, 2025.
