The red carpet for Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery brought a star-studded lineup of Canadian icons, musicians and filmmakers to Roy Thomson Hall, celebrating Ally Pankiw’s galvanizing documentary about Sarah McLachlan’s legendary all women music festival.
The film traces the rise and impact of Lilith Fair, the groundbreaking touring festival that debuted in 1997 and reshaped what was possible for women in popular music. Through performances, archival footage and new interviews with artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Erykah Badu, Emmylou Harris, Jewel and Olivia Rodrigo, Pankiw explores how McLachlan and her collaborators pushed back against an industry that insisted there was room for only a handful of women at the top.
At TIFF, the premiere felt like both a celebration and a homecoming. The carpet was lined with artists and creators whose work has been shaped by Lilith Fair’s legacy, along with Canadian screen royalty who came out to support the film and its message of community, artistry and inclusion.
Canadian Voices on the Carpet
Canadian singer songwriter Kathleen Edwards was among the first to arrive, embodying the spirit of roots rock and confessional songwriting that Lilith Fair helped elevate to a wider audience. Her presence underscored how deeply the festival’s legacy runs through multiple generations of Canadian music.
Ally Pankiw Brings the Story to the Screen
Director Ally Pankiw, whose previous work includes I Used To Be Funny, walked the carpet with a relaxed confidence. Her film blends backstage logistics with emotional testimony, exploring not only how Lilith Fair was built but why it mattered to the artists who played it and the fans who attended.
Sarah McLachlan Leads the Legacy
Sarah McLachlan, the architect and heart of Lilith Fair, drew a wave of cheers as she arrived on the carpet. Walking alongside journalist Diane Sawyer, McLachlan represented both the creative force behind the festival and the broader cultural conversation it helped ignite about representation, radio play and who gets to headline major tours.
Dan Levy and the Next Generation
Producer and actor Dan Levy was also on hand, representing the generation that grew up attending Lilith Fair and seeing their idea of live music permanently changed. In the film, Levy reflects on experiencing the festival as a boy and the lasting impression it left on him.
On the carpet, Pankiw, McLachlan, Levy and producer Cassidy Hartmann posed together, embodying the collaboration between artists, storytellers and lifelong fans that brought this documentary to life.
Honoring the Artists of Lilith
Joan Osborne, one of the artists whose songs helped define the era in which Lilith Fair first launched, also appeared on the carpet. Her presence served as a reminder of the festival’s original lineup, which included a remarkable range of voices from folk and rock to soul and alternative pop.
Canadian Screen Royalty Joins the Celebration
Eugene Levy added an extra touch of Canadian screen prestige to the evening. His appearance underscored how far Lilith Fair’s influence has spread beyond music, touching audiences and creators across film and television as well.
Musician Kevin Drew and Rachel McLean were among the guests who reflected the festival’s continued influence on contemporary Canadian music scenes. The mix of veteran artists, new voices and devoted fans on the carpet echoed the intergenerational conversation at the heart of Pankiw’s film.
A Living Legacy
Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery captures how a simple idea to center women on stage grew into one of the most successful touring festivals of its time. The TIFF premiere mirrored that spirit, bringing together artists, collaborators and admirers who continue to feel the ripple effects of what McLachlan and her peers created.
On a night filled with music history, personal memories and genuine admiration, the red carpet served as a vivid reminder that the legacy of Lilith Fair is still unfolding, and that its songs and stories remain as vital as ever.