Toronto, Canada — Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel, “Hamnet,” has captured the People’s Choice Award at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), marking a significant achievement for the director. The award was announced during a ceremony held on Sunday, and it reflects the festival’s unique approach, allowing audiences rather than a jury to decide the year’s favorite film.
At TIFF, attendees of public screenings cast votes for their top picks on the festival’s official website. “Hamnet” led the voting, triumphing over Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” which secured second place, and Rian Johnson’s “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” which came in third.
Zhao’s recognition at this year’s festival makes her the first filmmaker to win the People’s Choice Award twice, a title she previously held after winning in 2020 for “Nomadland.” Although she was not present to receive her award, Zhao sent a pre-recorded acceptance speech that inadvertently played upside down during the livestream. TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey remarked, “Apologies for the error, but that is what this film does to your heart,” highlighting the emotional impact of Zhao’s work.
Recent trends suggest that the TIFF People’s Choice Award can predict Oscar success, with 15 of the last 17 winners earning nominations for Best Picture, and five securing the coveted award. Past winners include “Slumdog Millionaire,” “The King’s Speech,” and “Nomadland.” The 2024 winner, “The Life of Chuck,” has yet to see a theatrical release, casting uncertainty on its chances in the upcoming awards season.
This year’s festival also recognized an International People’s Choice Award, awarded to Park Chan-wook’s “No Other Choice,” with Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value” and Neeraj Ghaywan’s “Homebound” following in second and third place, respectively.
Diverse categories acknowledged films beyond the mainstream offerings. In the Midnight Madness segment, “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie” was named the winner, while “The Road Between Us,” featuring a poignant narrative about an Israeli general during the October 7 attacks, took home the People’s Choice Documentary Award. The film stirred considerable debate prior to its screening, as TIFF had initially withdrawn it from the lineup before reversing that decision.
Unlike the audience-voted awards, several other honors presented at TIFF were determined by juried panels. The jury overseeing the Platform Prize awarded “To the Jury!” while the Short Cuts category recognized “The Girl Who Cried Pearls” and “Talk Me.”
Awards from the Canadian Discovery category and Best Canadian Feature Film were given to “Blue Heron” and “Wrong Husband,” respectively, showcasing the talent within the nation’s film industry.
Moreover, the FIPRESCI Prize for best first feature went to “Forastera,” while the NETPAC Award recognized “In Search of the Sky,” affirming TIFF’s commitment to showcasing international cinema.
As the festival culminated, conversations surrounding the winners filled social media platforms, particularly after a press release hinted at the honors before the ceremony, leading to an overflow of reactions.
The event demonstrated TIFF’s role as a pivotal stage for filmmakers worldwide, spotlighting emerging talent while forging connections between cinematic storytelling and audience engagement.
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