ADFF Toronto 2026: The Tower that Built A City

In the 1970s, Toronto set out to build the world’s tallest tower- partly out of necessity, to restore failing broadcast signals, and partly to escape Montreal’s shadow. What rose was more than an engineering feat: it became a mirror of the city itself. Told through six chapters, the story follows the CN Tower as a living character – conceived in ambition, tested in construction, dismissed as kitsch, and ultimately reborn as an icon. Alongside the tower’s arc, Toronto’s own transformation unfolds: from an overlooked “second city” to a cultural force in sports, music, and global identity.

Featuring voices from architects, engineers, musicians, politicians, athletes, media pioneers, and historians, The Tower That Built A City (2025) captures a sweeping half-century story of a city, a country, its people, and the architectural beacon that came to define them.

This screening will be followed by a Q&A with the film’s Director, Mark Myers, moderated by TSA Executive Director Joël León Danis. 

TSA MEMBERS: Members get discounted tickets to all regular showings at ADFF: Toronto! When tickets go on sale, there will be a discount code in the TSA Bulletin and on your Member Dashboard.

About the Architecture and Design Film Festival

The Architecture and Design Film Festival (ADFF)—North America’s largest film festival dedicated to architecture and design—is coming back to Toronto for another year of great films and insightful discussions! From November 4-7, catch one of their amazing lineup of 13 films, from all over the world. Looking for the full list of films showcased at this year’s ADFF: Toronto? See the complete programme on the festival’s website!

The TSA is proud to once again be partnering with ADFF: Toronto to bring a series of panel discussions and post-screening Q&As that complement this year’s film roster. These panels bring together architects, film-makers, and subject matter experts to further explore the themes of each film and bring them back to our local context here in Toronto.