The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has always been considered a crucial stage for filmmakers and studios preparing for awards season. This year, Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet emerged as the big winner, securing the prestigious People’s Choice Award at TIFF. The victory has instantly elevated the film’s profile, placing it firmly in the conversation for the upcoming Academy Awards.
Winning at TIFF is more than just a festival honor—it often signals the potential trajectory of a film’s success at the Oscars. For years, the People’s Choice Award has served as a reliable indicator of what’s to come during awards season.
TIFF People’s Choice Award: A Powerful Oscar Predictor
Since the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences expanded the Best Picture category in 2009, films that won TIFF’s People’s Choice Award have consistently gone on to secure Oscar nominations, and in many cases, even wins.
Take Green Book (2018), for example. The film charmed audiences at TIFF and later clinched the Best Picture Oscar. Similarly, Zhao herself is no stranger to this path—her earlier film Nomadland (2020) won at TIFF before eventually taking home Best Picture at the Oscars.
Other notable examples include:
- The King’s Speech (2010), which went on to dominate awards season.
- 12 Years a Slave (2013), which received critical acclaim and secured Best Picture.
- La La Land (2016), which didn’t win Best Picture but still took home multiple Oscars.
- The Fabelmans (2022), which earned several nominations and reaffirmed TIFF’s predictive reputation.
Out of all the TIFF People’s Choice winners, only one film—Where Do We Go Now? (2011)—failed to secure a Best Picture nomination. Every other recipient managed to win at least one Oscar, proving just how influential the award truly is.
‘Hamnet’: What We Know About the Film
Hamnet is a highly ambitious project directed by Chloé Zhao, the Oscar-winning filmmaker best known for Nomadland and Marvel’s Eternals. The film is inspired by Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel of the same name, which reimagines the life of William Shakespeare’s son, Hamnet, and the profound impact his death had on Shakespeare’s writing—particularly the play Hamlet.
The movie blends historical drama with Zhao’s signature poetic and visual storytelling. Critics who attended its screenings at TIFF praised it for its emotional depth, strong performances, and lush cinematography. Many have already labeled it one of Zhao’s finest works.
TIFF 2025: A Star-Studded Festival
This year marked the 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, a milestone that carried high expectations. While the festival may not have produced as many breakout titles or heated awards-season contenders as in previous years, it still managed to deliver some of the most exciting premieres of 2025.
Aside from Hamnet, several other films caught the attention of critics and audiences alike:
- Steven Soderbergh’s The Christophers: A thought-provoking drama with Soderbergh’s signature style.
- Mona Fastvold’s The Testament of Ann Lee: A historical piece that wowed with its intimate storytelling.
- Daniel Roher’s Tuner: A bold film that garnered rave reviews and could become an underdog during awards season.
Even though splashy distribution deals were fewer this year, many of these films are expected to secure theatrical releases soon.
Why TIFF Matters So Much for Awards Season
TIFF is unique among film festivals because its audience—not a jury—selects the People’s Choice Award winner. This gives the award a distinct advantage when predicting Oscars performance since it reflects the broader public’s reaction, not just critics’ opinions.
For filmmakers and studios, winning TIFF’s People’s Choice Award is like striking gold. It boosts publicity, builds momentum, and helps position the film at the center of awards chatter. For Hamnet, the victory could mean a powerful push toward Best Picture consideration at the Academy Awards.
The Challenge of Timing: A Look at Last Year’s Winner
Interestingly, last year’s TIFF winner, The Life of Chuck, hasn’t yet had the chance to test its awards potential. Originally planned for a 2024 release, the film was delayed to mid-2025 by its distributor, Neon. Unfortunately, this late release could reduce its visibility during Oscar season.
Still, industry insiders believe the film could make its mark in categories like Best Adapted Screenplay, even if it struggles to remain in the Best Picture conversation. This shows just how vital release strategies are for films emerging from TIFF.
Chloé Zhao’s Growing Legacy
With Hamnet, Chloé Zhao continues to solidify her reputation as one of the most versatile directors of her generation. After winning widespread acclaim for her intimate indie films, she transitioned to the blockbuster stage with Marvel. Now, she returns to her roots with a historical drama that feels both deeply personal and universal.
If Hamnet continues to gain momentum, Zhao could potentially join the small but elite group of filmmakers who have directed multiple Oscar-winning films.
What Happens Next for ‘Hamnet’?
Following its TIFF victory, Hamnet will likely embark on a strong festival circuit run, making appearances at events like the New York Film Festival, Telluride, and Venice retrospectives. Awards campaigns are expected to ramp up quickly, with studios investing heavily in marketing to keep the film fresh in voters’ minds.
For audiences, this means Hamnet could soon become one of the most talked-about films of the year—not just for its awards potential but for its emotional storytelling and cinematic artistry.
Conclusion
The triumph of Hamnet at the Toronto International Film Festival signals more than just an audience award. It’s a powerful message about the film’s resonance, artistry, and potential to leave a lasting mark on cinema. If history is any indication, Zhao’s latest masterpiece could very well be on its way to Oscar glory.
As the awards season unfolds, all eyes will be on Hamnet—a film that has already won the hearts of TIFF audiences and may soon capture the Academy’s as well.