It is the latest break for Apron Strings, billed as a modern New Zealand story about two families from two cultures, after it was selected for the Melbourne and Dunedin film festivals and opened the New Zealand International Film Festival in Auckland in July.
However, Great Southern Film and Television managing director and Apron Strings co-producer Philip Smith said the Toronto showcase was an especially sound achievement that bodes well, as that festival had introduced both Whale Rider and Out of the Blue to global audiences.
"Getting into Toronto gives us status and momentum in terms of international distribution. If your movie is not in Toronto, Sundance or Cannes, it's not in the game."
The New Zealand Film Commission will launch a year-long international marketing campaign to coincide with the 33rd Toronto festival, which takes place from September 4-13.
"A lot of New Zealand cinema in the last two years has been comedy-driven and has responded well with audiences," Mr Smith said.
"The form of drama in Apron Strings is a harder sell and we're not sure what the box office numbers will be in this country."
"Critically, it's been getting really well received and [Prime Minister] Helen Clark said it resonated very strongly with her. She said it was very 'now New Zealand' cinema because it reflected the country's multicultural community."
Samoan-born, Auckland-based director Sima Urale said cast and crew were "absolutely over the moon that it has been selected for Toronto. It's a huge compliment to everyone who worked on it."
Ms Urale will be in Toronto to introduce the film to audiences, along with actor Scott Wills, writer Shuchi Kothari and producer Rachel Gardner.
"We are thrilled with the selection. This film has been made by a small but excellent New Zealand film-making community, and to have it screened on a world stage, such as the Toronto Film Festival, is a truly deserved honour for Sima Urale's feature film debut," Ms Gardner said.
It is a parallel story of two mother-son relationships and two cultures set in suburban Otahuhu.
It stars Footballers Wives actress Laila Rouass and Kiwi actors Scott Wills (Stickmen), Peter Elliott (We're Here To Help), theatre veteran Jennifer Ludlam and newcomer Nathan Whitaker.
Apron Strings opened around New Zealand last week.
