Kenneth Branagh‘s autographical period piece “Belfast” was already the toast of the 2021 Telluride Film Festival earlier this month. Now, its Oscar hopes for a Best Picture nomination now seem assured after capturing the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival People’s Choice Award. The Focus Features release took the prize over Shasha Nakhai and Rich Williamson’s “Scarborough,” and Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog,” which placed second and third respectfully.
The People’s Choice Documentary Award winner went to Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s “The Rescue,” which is good news for NatGeo’s critically acclaimed doc. The first runner-up honor went to Dave Wooley and David Heilbroner’s “Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over,” while the second runner-up honor went to Jonas Poher Rasmussen‘s “Flee.”
The People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award winner is Julia Ducournau‘s Palme d’Or winner “Titane.” The first runner-up is Kate Dolan‘s “You Are Not My Mother.” The second runner-up is Rob Savage’s “DASHCAM“
Since the People’s Choice Award was first handed out in 1978, seven winners have gone on to win Best Picture including last year’s winner, “Nomadland,” “Green Book,” “12 Years A Slave,” “The King’s Speech,” “Slumdog Millionaire,” “American Beauty” and “Chariots of Fire.” Since 2012, every People’s Choice Award Winner has been nominated for Best Picture.
Other TIFF winners included the aforementioned “Scarborough,” by Shasha Nakhai and Rich Williamson, taking the 2021 Changemaker Award. The Amplify Voices Award for Best Canadian Feature Film went to Rhayme Vermette’s “Ste. Anne” with a Special Mention to “Scarborough.” Two other Amplify Awards went to “The Gravedigger’s Wife,” from director Khadar Ayderus Ahmed and “A Night of Knowing Nothing” from filmmaker Payal Kapadia.
The 46th Toronto International Film Festival ran September 9–18, 2021.
