TIFF 2023: American Fiction the top winner, here the complete list of winners

We already have the winners! The 2023 Toronto International Film Festival has reached its exciting conclusion after two weeks packed with world premieres and screenings that have left audiences captivated. Toronto, often considered the unofficial starting point for the Academy Awards season, along with the Venice and Telluride festivals, has awarded the prestigious People’s Choice Awards to films now in the awards season spotlight. coming.

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Who were the winners?

The title that took home the most prestigious award of the night was American Fiction, a witty and timely satire on the publishing industry, directed by Cord Jefferson and starring Jeffrey Wright. The film immerses us in the world of a novelist who deliberately creates a remarkably absurd novel, which leads to massive success and a whirlwind of comic situations. This recognition at TIFF could mark the start of a bright future for this film at the upcoming Academy Awards, as 11 of the last 14 People’s Choice Award winners have earned Best Picture nominations at the Oscars. Past winners include notable films such as Nomadland – 100% and Green Book: A Friendship Without Borders – 78%, as well as Oscar favorites such as Jojo Rabbit – 75%, La La Land: A Love Story – 92% and Belfast – 95%.

Another title that did not go unnoticed was Dicks: The Musical from **A24**, a daring and peculiar comedy that drew laughter and applause from the audience. One of the festival’s buzziest films, this film received the coveted People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award, cementing its status as a film sure to become a cult favorite.

The Audience Documentary Award went to Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believedirected by Robert McCallum. This moving documentary is a tribute to the beloved Canadian children’s show Mr. Dressupwhich premiered in 1967 and was on television for 29 seasons, leaving an indelible mark on young people and accompanying many generations.

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TIFF 2023 also celebrated excellence in Canadian film. Onlydirected by Sophie Dupuistook home the award for Best Canadian Feature Film, while Electrawith Daria Kascheeva In directing, it received recognition as Best Short Film. In the Best Canadian Short category, the award went to motherlandwith Jasmin Mozaffari being the director responsible for this project.

The #ShareHerJourney Award, which celebrates female voices in film, was awarded to She, directed by Renee Zhan. Meanwhile, the NETPAC Award, which highlights Asian cinema, went to A Matchdirected by Jayant Digambar Somalkar. The FIPRESCI Jury Prize, which recognizes excellence in international cinematography, went to Seagrassdirected by Meredith Hama-Brown.

TIFF 2023 also honored diversity and inclusion in film with the Amplify Voices Awards. Kanavalwith Henri Pardo in the director’s chair, was awarded Best Canadian BIPOC Film, and, for its part, Tautuktavukdirected by Carol Kunnuk and Lucy Tulugarjuk, received the award for Best BIPOC Canadian First Feature. Additionally, Amplify Voices’ BIPOC Canadian Trailblazer Award was awarded to Damon D’Oliveira. This edition was the window for renowned actors to debut as directors, the case of Viggo Mortensen with The Dead Don’t Hurt – 80%, or Chris Pine with the unfortunate Poolman – 0%. TIFF was also the setting chosen by Hayao Miyazaki to present his new film, The Boy and the Heron. 100%, plus Taika Waititi premiered his new film, Next Goal Wins – 65%.

TIFF 2023 Winners

Below is the complete list of winners in this edition of the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival:

People’s Choice Award: American Fiction (Dir. Cord Jefferson)

Audience Documentary Award: Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe (Dir. Robert McCallum)

People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award: Dicks: The Musical (Dir. Larry Charles)

Platform Award: Dear Jassi (Dir. Tarsem Singh Dhandwar)

Best Canadian Feature Film: Solo (Dir. Sophie Dupuis)

Best Short Film: Electra (Dir. Daria Kascheeva)

Best Canadian Short: Motherland (Dir. Jasmin Mozaffari)

#ShareHerJourney Award: Shé (Dir. Renee Zhan)

NETPAC Award: A Match (Dir. Jayant Digambar Somalkar)

FIPRESCI Jury Prize: Seagrass (Dir. Meredith Hama-Brown)

Amplify Voices Award for Best Canadian BIPOC Film: Kanaval (Dir. Henri Pardo)

Amplify Voices Award for Best BIPOC Canadian First Feature: Tautuktavuk (Dir. Carol Kunnuk and Lucy Tulugarjuk)

Amplify Voices BIPOC Canadian Trailblazer Award: Damon D’Oliveira

Changemaker Award: We Grown Now (Dir. Minhal Baig)

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Without a doubt, the 48th Toronto Festival was full of exceptional films that excited and moved the audience. With awards season on the horizon, these award-winning films have the wind at their backs as they seek the recognition and acclaim they deserve in the film industry. Now, movie lovers’ eyes are on the next stages of these films’ careers and the exciting stories they are destined to tell.