The Toronto Film Festival has added a gala world premiere for Lil Nas X: Long live Montero – a concert documentary capturing rapper Lil Nas X’s first global tour – to the lineup for the 2023 edition.
The Grammy-winning artist takes the stage at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto to introduce the film from directors Carlos López Estrada and Zac Manuel after capturing Montero Hill, aka Lil Nas X, more than 60 days after his shooting. Long live Montero tour as he discusses his career and his place in the pop world as a Black and queer artist.
Lil Nas X’s diary movie on tour in support of his debut studio album, montero, is produced by RadicalMedia, in association with Sony Music Entertainment, Columbia Records and Museum & Crane.
“Lil Nas X: Long live Montero is a triumphant ode to the extraordinary power of self-expression, music and identity,” Toronto Film Festival CEO Cameron Bailey said in a statement as the 48th edition of TIFF is about to host the rap artist.
Booking the popular artist and his concert tour film at Roy Thomson Hall is a safe bet for Toronto as the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes will keep a slew of big festival A-list stars from promoting films associated with a member of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, i.e. major studios and streamers or specialist divisions such as Sony Pictures Classics, Searchlight or Focus Features.
Oscar-nominated López Estrada has credits, among others Blindspot, summer And Raya and the Last Dragon. He started his career directing music videos for musicians such as Billie Eilish, Thundercat and Flying Lotus, Katy Perry and Carly Rae Jepsen.
The Toronto Film Festival runs from September 7 to 17.
