The Toronto International Film Festival launched on Thursday, opening with Fugitive Pieces, a drama based on a best selling novel about a Holocaust survivor.

Written and directed by Jeremy Podeswa, the film illustrates hope in the face of war, charting the life of a young boy who witnesses the murder of his family.

Podeswa said: “It demonstrates the best of what people are capable of, their boundless capacity for love, for generosity and self sacrifice even in the most difficult of circumstances.”

Over the next 10 days the festival will welcome a host of big names, keen to showcase their wares on the red carpet, including Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Jodi Foster.