TIFF 2021: People’s Choice Awards

by KM, Movie Lightbox

The hybrid edition of the 46th Toronto International Film Festival wrapped up Saturday night with Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast winning the coveted People’s Choice Award, the festival’s top prize voted on by public attendees. Over the course of 10 days, TIFF presented more than 100 films, a scaled down slate compared to previous editions of the festival but included highly anticipated films for the fall season.

Belfast, the black and white family drama set during the tumult of late 1960s in Northern Ireland received warm applause and two standing ovations when it premiered at the Roy Thomson Hall. “Our first showing of Belfast at TIFF was one of the most memorable experiences of my entire career. That so many Canadian film lovers connected with Belfast so profoundly was absolutely overwhelming to myself and Jamie Dornan, and we talked about it long into a memorable night of laughter and tears in your great city.”, said Branagh in his acceptance speech at the TIFF Awards Ceremony. The People Choice Award is widely considered as a harbinger of success during film awards season. Previous winners include Slumdog Millionaire, The King’s Speech, 12 Years A Slave and Nomadland.

Scarborough by Shasha Nakhai and Rich Williamson, a heartfelt story about a neighbourhood in east end Toronto adapted from the critically acclaimed novel by Catherine Hernandez took the first runner-up spot for the People’s Choice Award. Second runner-up prize went to Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst, a western drama set in 1920s Montana.

In the Midnight Madness section, a programme dedicated to horror, shock and fantasy cinema, the Palme d’Or winning film Titane by Julia Ducournau took home the top prize while E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s The Rescue, a perspective on the cave mission for the Thai soccer team trapped in a cave for 16 days nabbed the People’s Choice Award for Documentary.

“2021 brought an exceptional selection of films that excited Festival audiences around the world. Our lineup showcased beloved auteurs alongside fresh voices in filmmaking, including numerous women powerhouses. TIFF welcomed guests, press, industry, international stars and directors back to the city and into cinemas. The sweeping range in cinematic storytelling from around the world is a testament to the uniqueness of the films that are being made. We’re so grateful and proud of this year’s Festival.”, said Joana Vicente and Cameron Bailey, TIFF Co-Heads.

Here’s the full list of winners and awards presented at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival:

People’s Choice Award: Belfast, dir. Kenneth Branagh

First Runner Up: Scarborough, dirs. Shasha Nakhai, Rich Williamson
Second Runner Up: The Power of the Dog, dir. Jane Campion

People’s Choice Documentary Award: The Rescue, dirs. E. Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin

First Runner Up: Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over, dirs. Dave Wooley, David Heilbroner
Second Runner Up: Flee, dir. Jonas Poher Rasmussen

People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award: Titane, dir. Julia Ducournau

First Runner Up: You Are Not My Mother, dir. Kate Dolan
Second Runner Up: DASHCAM, dir. Rob Savage


2021 Platform Prize Recipient

Yuni, dir. Kamila Andini

Honourable mention: Mlungu Wam (Good Madam), dir. Jenna Cato Bass


2021 Amplify Voices Awards Winners

Amplify Voices Award for Best Canadian Feature Film: Ste. Anne, dir. Rhayne Vermette

Special Mention: Scarborough, dirs. Shasha Nakhai, Rich Williamson

Amplify Voices Award: The Gravedigger’s Wife, dir. Khadar Ayderus Ahmed

Amplify Voices Award: A Night of Knowing Nothing, dir. Payal Kapadia


2021 IMDbPro Short Cuts Awards Winners

IMDbPro Short Cuts Award for Best Film: Displaced / Pa Vend, dir. Samir Karahoda

Honourable mention: Trumpets in the Sky, dir. Rakan Mayasi

IMDbPro Short Cuts Award for Best Canadian Film: Angakusajaujuq: The Shaman's Apprentice / Angakusajaujuq, dir. Zacharias Kunuk

Honourable mention: Nuisance Bear, dirs. Jack Weisman, Gabriela Osio Vanden

IMDbPro Short Cuts Share Her Journey Award: ASTEL, dir. Ramata-Toulaye Sy

Honourable mention: Love, Dad, dir. Diana Cam Van Nguyen


2021 Shawn Mendes Foundation Changemaker Award Winner

Scarborough, dir. Shasha Nakhai and Rich Williamson

2021 NETPAC Award Winner

Costa Brava, Lebanon, dir. Mounia Akl

2021 FIPRESCI Prize Recipient

Anatolian Leopard, dir. Emre Kayiş

TIFF ended with the Tribute Awards show honouring the film industry’s outstanding contributors and their achievements, and serving as TIFF’s largest annual fundraiser. The 2021 TIFF Tribute Award recipients are:

Jessica Chastain

TIFF Tribute Actor Award

Benedict Cumberbatch

TIFF Tribute Actor Award

Denis Villeneuve

TIFF Ebert Director Award

Alanis Obomsawin

Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media

Danis Goulet

TIFF Emerging Talent Award

Ari Wegner

TIFF Variety Artisan Award

Dionne Warwick

TIFF Special Tribute Award

Images courtesy of TIFF

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TIFF 2021: Galas and Hidden Gems