In Spite of Ourselves- how do opposites connect?

Romantic Comedy | 97 minutes | color | USA | English

 Written and Directed by JOSH LOEB

Starring BRETT DIER, CONOR LESLIE, MO MANDEL, ALYSSA LIMPERIS, BRITIAN SEIBERT, ZORA CASEBERE, ETHAN INGLE, and GLENN MORSHOWER

 

Producers JOSH LOEB, MICHELLE LEWITT, GABE MAYHAN, and TIM HARMS

Executive Producers SHIRLEY LOEB

Cinematography by GABE MAYHAN

Hannah (Conor Leslie), a talented baker in Portland, Oregon, goes about her daily life working alongside her egotistical chef partner and sharing an apartment with two party‑loving roommates. She often misses out on parts of life because she can’t hear out of one ear. Professionally, she excels in her craft—but her personal life is far less put together.

One day, LA comedian Archie (Brett Dier) visits Portland and stumbles upon her irresistible cinnamon buns—and Hannah’s quirky charm. Archie is on the rise, with a comedy special on the horizon, but he struggles with commitment because of his demanding career and his responsibility to care for his father.

Their chemistry is instant, but their lifestyles couldn’t be more mismatched: Hannah wakes up at 3 a.m. to start baking, while Archie finishes his shows in the middle of the night. Time and distance quickly become their biggest obstacles.

Archie keeps returning—partly for the baked goods, mostly for Hannah. They clearly like each other, but their relationship becomes a series of mixed messages, missed moments, and stop‑and‑starts.

Life keeps getting in the way. Hannah must confront her hearing issues, while Archie juggles his travel schedule and the decline of his father’s health. Both are scared to commit under such complicated circumstances. But when Hannah needs help after surgery, Archie steps up and takes care of her.

The film leaves you wondering whether their relationship can survive once life returns to normal.

This film is funny, heartwarming, and messy—in all the ways real life can be.

 Trailer Link: https://youtu.be/gDCfg8Z5QHY?si=HQg4CBjRjkCiN313

See the film at these festivals before it's released.

 

Official Selection

2026 Cinequest Film Festival – World Premiere

2026 Filmland

2026 Heartland Film Festival

2026 Portland Film Festival

2026 Mystic Film Festival

 

Tiff's People's Choice Awards 2026

TIFF 2026 Awards

1. People’s Choice Award presented by Rogers: La Bola Negra, dirs. Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi

   First runner-up: I Play Rocky, dir. Peter Farrelly

   Second runner-up: Being Heumann, dir. Siân Heder

   
   

   International People’s Choice Award presented by Rogers: Elsinore, dir. Simon Stone  

   First runner-up: Possible Love, dir. Lee Chang-dong

   Second runner-up: The Assassin(s), dir. Hur Jin-ho

   
   

   People’s Choice Documentary Award presented by Rogers: Darlene Love: I Know Where I’ve Been, dir. Barry Avrich 

   First runner-up: Black Sunflowers, dir. James Marcus Haney

   Second runner-up: The Ultra Runner dir. Mila Aung-Thwin

   
   

   People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award presented by Rogers: Ladies and Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney, dir. Matthew Rankin 

   First runner-up: The Spiral, dir. Paolo Strippoli

   Second runner-up: Arrested Memory, dir. SABU

   
   

   PLATFORM PRIZE

   
   

   Launched in 2015 and inspired by Jia Zhang-ke’s groundbreaking film, TIFF’s Platform Prize honours filmmakers with strong directorial vision and distinctive storytelling. All films in the programme are eligible for the prize. TIFF’s Platform Prize is one of only six international festival awards with a direct pathway to the Oscars. Building on this newly established status, the 2026 Platform programme expanded to 12 films, with an international five-member jury selecting the winner of the $20,000 CAD prize. This year’s jury was led by President Pablo Trapero, alongside Amma Asante, Sylvia Chang, Luc Déry, and Albert Lee.

   
   

   Platform Prize:

   Angh, dir. Theja Rio | India

   
   

   Platform jury’s statement: “The Platform Prize goes to Angh. For its refreshing perspective, strength of filmmaking, and deeply resonant portrait of a world. We praise the filmmaker’s vision, audacity and courage.”

   
   

   Special Jury Award:

   Brace Your Heart (Garrat Du Váimmu), dir. Amanda Kernell | Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Bulgaria

   
   

I didn't get to see too many of these films this year, but I'm super happy to see Darlene Love: I know where I've been winning for PCA Documentary.  Congrats to my friend,  Producer Mark Selby, on a spectacular Documentary.

I just posted a review on Thirteen in Gaza, a film that will stick with you every time you see reports about the war in GAZA.

I was at TIFF for the Red Carpet for Smudge the Blades, and I can tell you that the cast was just super excited to be there, so I'm sure there will be a big party for them tonight.  

Smudge the Blades

Angh