Ben Stiller's 'Nutcrackers' opens TIFF

The Toronto film festival, the largest in North America, kicked off in earnest Thursday with Ben Stiller's family film Nutcrackers as a handful of pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted the opening night screening.

The four demonstrators chanted slogans in the Princess of Wales Theatre against the Royal Bank of Canada, a festival sponsor that has faced criticism over its investment in firms with links to Israel, as the war in Gaza drags on.

Other audience members booed and festival CEO Cameron Bailey continued his introduction before security escorted the protesters out and the screening of the film, Stiller's first in seven years, proceeded. The brief protest provided a political jolt at the start of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), a 10-day extravaganza of Oscar bait films and A-list glamour.

This year marks a return to normal for the event, after twin strikes by actors and writers kept top talent from promoting their work here last year. Though the 2023 lineup of films was starry, the red carpets were not, in line with union protocols.

This time around, Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Salma Hayek, Cate Blanchett and Nicole Kidman are just some of the boldfaced names expected in Canada's biggest city to unveil new projects.

"Toronto is known for its audience excitement, and that excitement reaches a fever pitch when the biggest stars in the world are here," Bailey told AFP. "We're glad that we are having a festival without some of the constraints of last year, although I do think we were able to do the very best we could given the circumstances."

Filmgoers warmly greeted Stiller, who introduced Nutcrackers alongside director David Gordon Green. The holiday-set comedy tells the story of a Chicago real estate developer who must care for his four orphaned nephews after the death of his sister and her husband.

The boys, who are brothers in real life, prove to be quite a handful for the city slicker, who must navigate awkward homeschooling sessions, wild animals in the house and other quirks of farm life as he finds his nephews a forever home.

"When I read the script, which was so heartfelt and not cynical... I was like, I'm identifying with this guy and this guy is on a journey where he gets in touch with stuff and connects with his family," Stiller said on the red carpet at the gala screening. "I think that's an important message, especially right now." AFP