French actress and director Mati Diop will be honored with the inaugural Mary Pickford Award for outstanding female talent at the Toronto International Film Festival’s upcoming Tribute Gala. Tiff announced the news along with their schedule of events including live performances and interviews featuring directors and actors such as Oscar winner Javier Bardem.

“Mati Diop’s film ‘Atlantics’ is a profound and unsettling work of art,” Cameron Bailey, artistic director and co-head of Tiff, said in a statement. “We know this is just the start for such an original and authentic voice, and we’re delighted to celebrate her success at this year’s Tiff Tribute Gala.”

Diop’s screening of “Atlantics” at Cannes Film Festival this year made history as she became the first black female director to screen a film in competition at the festival. The movie went on to win the Grand Prix.

The Tiff gala...