Mayor Olivia Chow Presents Key to the City to Filmmaker Sarah Polley
Toronto – Acclaimed filmmaker, writer, and activist Sarah Polley has received Toronto’s highest civic honour. Today, Mayor Olivia Chow presented Polley with the Key to the City during xoTO House, an annual celebration of Toronto’s film industry held alongside the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
“Sarah Polley’s work has touched audiences around the world while always remaining true to Toronto and Canadian stories. Her films challenge us to reflect, to care, and to imagine better futures. Today we celebrate her with the Key to the City, Toronto’s highest honour.” Mayor Olivia Chow
Mayor Olivia Chow presents the Key to the City to acclaimed filmmaker Sarah Polley
News Release: https://t.co/wpBX8IJ6vM pic.twitter.com/Hpz8wmRkMX
— City of Toronto 🇨🇦 (@cityoftoronto) September 7, 2025
Honouring a Storyteller of Global Impact
Polley, born and raised in Toronto, has become one of Canada’s most distinctive cinematic voices. Her career began as a young actor in Road to Avonlea and The Sweet Hereafter, before transitioning into directing with the internationally acclaimed Away from Her (2006), which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Her later works – Take This Waltz, Stories We Tell, and Women Talking – cemented her reputation as a bold and empathetic storyteller. Women Talking won the 2023 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, elevating her as one of the world’s leading filmmakers.
Polley’s contributions extend beyond cinema. She has been a consistent advocate for equity, ethical filmmaking, and truth-telling, shaping not only Canadian film but also international conversations on storytelling and representation.
“I’m very moved to receive this honour from the incredible city I have lived in my whole life.” Sarah Polley
Toronto’s Screen Industry on the World Stage
Mayor Chow emphasized that Polley’s achievements highlight Toronto’s role as a global hub for film production. The city is home to more than 40,000 screen industry professionals, supported by 3 million sq. ft. of studios, award-winning post-production facilities, and an annual production spend of $2.6 billion.
Each September, TIFF showcases Toronto’s influence as a leading cultural and creative economy, drawing more than 700,000 attendees and contributing over $240 million in local economic impact.
About the Key to the City
The Key to the City is Toronto’s highest honour, awarded by the Mayor to individuals or groups who embody the city’s spirit and have made significant contributions to civic life. Past recipients include leaders from the arts, sports, and community sectors.
Mayor Chow has invited residents to submit nominations for future honourees through her official website.
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