Chloe Zhao’s ‘Hamnet’ Wins Top Prize at TIFF 50, Eyes Oscars

The 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has named Chloe Zhao’s film Hamnet as the recipient of its prestigious People’s Choice Award, a significant indicator of potential success during the upcoming awards season. The announcement was made on September 14, 2025, celebrating the film’s adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel that delves into the family life of famed playwright William Shakespeare.

Over the past two decades, the People’s Choice Award has proven to be a harbinger of Oscar nominations, with 16 of the last 18 winners receiving nods for Best Picture. This includes five films that ultimately took home the Oscar: Slumdog Millionaire (2008), The King’s Speech (2010), 12 Years a Slave (2012), Green Book (2017), and Zhao’s own Nomadland (2020). The strong historical precedent suggests that Hamnet could be a serious contender for multiple accolades, including the Academy Awards.

Highlights from TIFF 50

In addition to Hamnet, TIFF 50 showcased a diverse range of films, with notable entries including:

– Sentimental Value: Directed by Joachim Trier, this film won the Grand Prix at Cannes and was the runner-up in TIFF’s International People’s Choice voting.
– Tuner: A surprising festival hit from Daniel Roher, featuring Leo Woodall as a piano tuner drawn into the world of safe-cracking.
– Dead Man’s Wire: Directed by Gus Van Sant, this gripping docudrama centers on a 1970s kidnapping case.
– Frankenstein: Guillermo del Toro’s visually stunning adaptation is poised to dominate this year’s craft awards.
– The Last Viking: This darkly comedic film reunites Mads Mikkelsen and Nikolaj Lie Kass under the direction of Anders Thomas Jensen.

Audience Favorites and Notable Performances

The festival also highlighted exceptional performances. Among the standout talents were Jessie Buckley in Hamnet, Jodie Foster in A Private Life, and Ben Foster in Christy. The audience resonated with these films, reflecting the broad appeal of the narratives presented throughout the festival.

The awards in various categories were determined by audience votes, with the winners as follows:

– People’s Choice Award: Hamnet, directed by Chloe Zhao
– First runner-up: Frankenstein, directed by Guillermo del Toro
– Second runner-up: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, directed by Rian Johnson
– International People’s Choice Award: No Other Choice, directed by Park Chan-wook

As the festival concludes, anticipation builds for the next installment, with TIFF 51 scheduled to take place from September 10 to 20, 2026. This year’s event has set a high bar for future films, leaving audiences eager for what lies ahead.

For more details on the festival’s winners and highlights, visit tiff.net.