Academy Award–winning actor Mahershala Ali is undoubtedly one of Hollywood's brightest stars. Since skilfully honing his craft in theatre and NYU's prestigious graduate acting program, Ali has captivated audiences worldwide with resonant, masterful performances that transformed this once-hidden gem into a household name.

Ali found early success with a recurring role in popular medical drama Crossing Jordan and as the venerable Richard Tyler in the sci-fi sleeper hit series The 4400. Through his honest, naturalistic portrayals in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and The Place Beyond the Pines, Ali demonstrated an impressive versatility that accelerated his slow-burning rise to stardom and marked him as a powerful, creative force. A revelation onscreen, Ali brings his fierce intellect and remarkable acting talents to projects as diverse as The Hunger Games franchise and Netflix's award-winning series House of Cards, for which he received an Emmy nomination. From his riveting empathetic work in the much-celebrated Moonlight — which debuted at the Festival in 2016 before its long theatrical run at TIFF Bell Lightbox and Ali's subsequent Oscar win for Best Supporting Actor — and Marvel's first black-led series, Luke Cage, to Hidden Figures and Roxanne Roxanne, he brings an expansive point of view to his exploration of the human spirit.

TIFF is proud to welcome Ali for an intimate and empowering conversation and examination of his fascinating career, upcoming work in the critically acclaimed HBO series True Detective, and his newest film, the highly anticipated Green Book, which premieres at this year's Festival.