Here Are the Winners of the Toronto International Film Festival
Unlike many other film festivals, TIFF is renowned for giving audiences the most powerful voice. This year was no exception. The People’s Choice Award presented by Rogers went to Hamnet by Chloé Zhao. In the international category, Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice took the top prize, while Barry Avrich’s The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue won Best Documentary, and Matt Johnson’s Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie triumphed in the Midnight Madness section.
Autumn in downtown Toronto is synonymous with the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Celebrating its 50th edition this year, TIFF marked a historic milestone. With more than 1,200 screenings of 291 films from over 70 countries—including over 100 world premieres—the festival turned into a true global gathering.
Alongside the glittering city lights and festive atmosphere, the red carpet dazzled with star power. Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Guillermo del Toro, Rian Johnson, Janhvi Kapoor, Chloé Zhao, Park Chan-wook, Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley, and Emily Watson were among the global icons who graced the event. The glamour underscored cinema’s enduring role as the world’s greatest connector of dreams, emotions, and passion.
Unlike many other film festivals, TIFF is renowned for giving audiences the most powerful voice. This year was no exception. The People’s Choice Award presented by Rogers went to Hamnet by Chloé Zhao. In the international category, Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice took the top prize, while Barry Avrich’s The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue won Best Documentary, and Matt Johnson’s Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie triumphed in the Midnight Madness section.
People’s Choice Highlights
The audience-voted People’s Choice Award remains TIFF’s most prestigious honor. Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery were named runners-up. In the international category, Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value and Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound placed second and third, respectively.
Short Cuts and Animated Shorts
In the Short Cuts program, Talk Me, a Spain–U.S. co-production, was named Best International Short Film. The Girl Who Cried Pearls won Best Canadian Short. For the first time, TIFF introduced an Animated Short Film Award, which went to France’s To the Woods.
Critics’ and NETPAC Awards
The FIPRESCI Prize from international critics went to Forastera by Lucía Allénar Iglesias. The NETPAC Award for the Asia-Pacific region was awarded to Indian filmmaker Jitank Singh Gurjar for In Search of the Sky (Bimukt).
Canadian Spotlight
In Canadian cinema, Sophie Romvari’s Blue Heron won the Best Canadian Discovery Award, while Zacharias Kunuk’s Uixaringitaar (Wrong Husband) earned Best Canadian Feature Film.
Platform Award
The competitive Platform Award went to Valentyn Vasyanovych’s To the Victory! for its striking visuals and powerful storytelling. Special mention was given to György Pálfi’s Hen.
This year’s TIFF lineup included 209 new features, 6 restored classics, 10 primetime series, and 66 short films. The red carpet proved to be not just a celebration of cinema but also of artistry, style, and global connection.
Notable appearances included Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, lauded for their performances in Hamnet, as well as directors Cedric Jimenez, Claire Denis, and Olivier Assayas, who premiered their latest films. From the glamour of the galas to the intimacy of screenings, TIFF 2025 reaffirmed its place as one of the world’s greatest cinematic gatherings.