Niki Byrne's 'The Julia Set' Makes World Premiere at Toronto Film Festival

The coming-of-age drama "The Julia Set" had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, with cast members Chase Infiniti, Jason Isaacs and Christopher Briney walking the red carpet.

Written and directed by Niki Byrne, the film marks her feature directorial debut. Infiniti stars as Julia, a gifted young mathematician who is recruited by a teaching assistant into an elite training programme.

Isaacs plays the celebrated mathematician father of Julia's teaching assistant. Describing the film, he said it is set partly in an academic environment but is ultimately about realising one's full potential. He said the story raises questions about how much people compromise themselves for their relationships and partners, the complicated bonds they share with their parents, and whether they are fulfilling their parents' dreams or their own ambitions. A romance sits at the heart of the film, he added, with material for audiences both to enjoy while watching and to discuss afterwards.

Infiniti drew a parallel between her character's world and her own path into acting. She said she felt fortunate not to have experienced significant pressure, because acting is something she loves, and her family instilled in her the habit of not putting pressure on herself while pursuing what she wants. She said she was prepared to tackle any hurdle that came her way.

Briney, who plays a character named Pascal, said the core of his role comes from his character's family. He pointed to a portion in the middle of the film where viewers meet Pascal's family and see the circumstances in which he was raised, a moment that helps his behaviour begin to make sense without excusing it.

Chloe Bailey, an actor and recording artist who is part of the ensemble cast, said STEM fields are often male-dominated and lack proper representation. She said it was good to show that women can get technical as well, and that as a producer and engineer she often walks into rooms full of men where she sometimes knows more than they do. She added that it was encouraging to be supported by men in those rooms who appreciate what women bring and contribute. Bailey also praised Byrne as a brilliant director, saying the two bonded over Lego.

Byrne said the film can be seen as an examination of expectations, with one character having too much expected of him and another too little expected of her, deforming them in equal measure.

The film does not yet have a release date.