[1/2] Cast members Camila Morrone, Willem Dafoe and director Patricia Arquette attend the world premiere of "Gonzo Girl" at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada September 7, 2023. REUTERS/Mark Blinch Acquire Licensing RightsTORONTO, Sept 7 (Reuters) - The Toronto International Film Festival opened on Thursday with "The Boy and the Heron" by famed Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki, the first time an animated feature has taken the coveted spot. Studio Ghibli executive Junichi Nishioka said it was an honour for "The Boy and the Heron" to have been chosen as the opener for the festival. The film, a semi-autobiographical story of a young boy struggling with the death of his mother, is expected to Miyazaki's swan song. "Gonzo Girl" stars Arquette, Camila Morrone and William Dafoe were among the few actors gaining union approval to promote their films.

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Persons: Camila Morrone, Willem Dafoe, Patricia Arquette, Mark Blinch, Hayao Miyazaki, Craig Gillespie's, Lee, Kate Winslet, Taika, Kristin Scott Thomas, Junichi Nishioka, Arquette, William Dafoe, Morrone, Duncan Crabtree, Divya Rajagopal, Nivedita Balu, Jenna Zucker, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Toronto, Film, REUTERS, Rights, Hollywood, Ghibli, Guild of America, Screen, American Federation of Television, Radio Artists, Reuters, SAG, Thomson Locations: Toronto , Ontario, Canada, United States, Ireland