Pearl Jam and U2 Documentaries Kick Off TIFF Programing

Last year, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) scored a coup in landing the Bruce Springsteen album documentary 'The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town,' which made its world premiere with the Boss, himself, in attendance.

TIFF organizers have once again hit the jackpot for the 2011 edition, which runs Sept.9-19, with not one but two world premieres, featuring docs from two of the biggest rock bands around: U2 and Pearl Jam.

It was announced Tuesday, July 26, that the world premiere of the 'Pearl Jam Twenty' documentary -- directed by Cameron Crowe and celebrating the Seattle rockers' 20th anniversary -- will happen at TIFF. According to the band's official site, the screening will take place on Sept. 10 (additional information regarding tickets, venue and additional screenings will be announced soon). The documentary will then be released worldwide on Sept. 20 for one night before showing in select markets on Sept. 23.

There's no official confirmation if Pearl Jam will appear at the world premiere screening, but considering that the band plays two shows at Toronto's Air Canada Centre Sept. 10-11, chances are they'll be walking the red carpet.

Meanwhile, it was also revealed that the U2 doc 'From the Sky Down' will open the festival, the first time a doc has in its 36-year run. No official date or location has been announced for the screening as of yet. And, with the band off the road following a July 30 concert in Moncton, New Brunswick, the Irish rockers just might be in attendance.

"In the terrain of rock bands -- implosion or explosion is seemingly inevitable," director David Guggenehim said in a statement. "U2 has defied the gravitational pull towards destruction; this band has endured and thrived. The movie From The Sky Down asks the question why."

Other musical related films of note include Madonna's film 'W.E.' about Wallis Simpson, which will make its North American premiere at the film festival.

Watch the Trailer for 'Pearl Jam Twenty'