TIFF 2026: John Beach On Being Heumann

FERNTV‘s Idalina Leandro sat down with John Beach, producer of Being Heumann, to talk about the remarkable eleven-year journey it took to bring Judy Heumann’s story to the screen. Beach spoke candidly about the persistence and passion behind the project, as well as why Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sian Heder was ultimately the right person to direct the film. He explained what Heder brought to the project and why her vision was essential in capturing not only the significance of Heumann’s groundbreaking work as a disability rights activist, but also the humanity at the heart of her story.

John Beach on Being Heumann, Judy Heumann’s Legacy and TIFF 2026

The conversation also became deeply personal as Beach reflected on his friendship with Judy Heumann and shared what made her such an extraordinary presence both publicly and privately. His memories offer another glimpse into the woman behind the historic activism—a person whose determination, warmth and influence continue to resonate long after her passing. Being Heumann opens the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, bringing Heumann’s remarkable life and legacy to one of the festival’s biggest stages. After hearing Beach speak about the years of dedication that went into making the film, Being Heumann has easily become one of our must-see films at TIFF 2026—and we can’t wait to experience it on the big screen.