New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi is to be the first recipient of The Toronto International Film Festival’s new director’s prize.

The TIFF Ebert Director Award will be handed out at the inaugural Tribute Gala on September 9th.

Meryl Streep is also set to be honoured at the Gala.

Waititi, who directed a Marvel superhero hero film ”Thor: Ragnarok” is among the big names premiering new projects at TIFF, which runs from September 5th to 15th.