Staff Editors
(September 15, 2024 – Toronto, ON) The 2024 Toronto International Film Festival is in the process of bringing the curtain down on its 49th edition and announcing the winners of the 10 awards is part of that process.
“As we conclude this year’s Festival and present these 10 awards today, I’d like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated juries, our TIFF programmers, and all of the filmmakers who have shared their work with us,” said Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF. “Most importantly, I want to thank our audience, who are truly the best in the world. Their passion and enthusiasm bring this festival to life every year, and we couldn’t do it without them. To The Life of Chuck, The Substance, and The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal, this year’s winners of the People’s Choice Awards, presented by Rogers, I can’t wait to see the future awards and accolades that await your incredible films.”
While the festival is wrapping its 49th year, the always highly anticipated People’s Choice Awards reaches its 47th edition, presented by Rogers. All feature films and series in TIFF’s Official Selection were eligible.
People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award presented by Rogers is: The Substance, dir. Coralie Fargeat | United Kingdom/USA/France
The first runner-up is: Dead Talents Society, dir. John Hsu | Taiwan
The second runner-up is: Friendship, dir. Andrew DeYoung | USA
People’s Choice Documentary Award presented by Rogers is: The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal, dir. Mike Downie | Canada
The first runner-up is: Will & Harper, dir. Josh Greenbaum | USA
The second runner-up is: Your Tomorrow, dir. Ali Weinstein | Canada
People’s Choice Award presented by Rogers is: The Life of Chuck, dir. Mike Flanagan | USA
The first runner-up is: Emilia Pérez, dir. Jacques Audiard | France/USA/Mexico
The second runner-up is: Anora, dir. Sean Baker | USA
Short Cuts Awards are for Best International Film and Best Canadian Film. Each of the two winning films will receive a bursary of $10,000 CAD. The 2024 jurors for the Short Cuts Awards were Luis De Filippis, Micah Kernan, and Shane Smith.
Short Cuts Award for Best International Film:
Deck 5B, dir. Malin Ingrid Johansson | Sweden
Short Cuts Award for Best Canadian Film:
Are You Scared To Be Yourself Because You Think That You Might Fail?, dir. Bec Pecaut | Canada
FIPRESCI Award:
Mother Mother, dir. K’naan Warsame | Somalia
The FIPRESCI jury awards the Prize of International Critics, dedicated to emerging filmmakers, to a debut feature film having its World Premiere in TIFF’s Discovery programme. The 2024 FIPRESCI jury members are Li Cheuk-to, Pierre-Simon Gutman, Azadeh Jafari, Saffron Maeve, and Wilfred Okiche.
NETPAC Award:
The Last of the Sea Women, dir. Sue Kim | USA
This award is presented by the Network for the Promotion of Asian Pacific Cinema, the NETPAC Award recognizes films specifically from the Asian and Pacific regions. The jury consists of three international community members selected by TIFF and NETPAC, who award the prize to the best Asian film by a first or second-time feature director. The 2024 NETPAC jury members are Hannah Fisher, Dr. Vilsoni Hereniko, and Kerri Sakamoto.
BEST CANADIAN DISCOVERY AWARD
Back this year after being on hiatus since 2019, and with a new name and new criteria, the Best Canadian Discovery Award celebrates works of emerging filmmakers who contribute to enriching the Canadian film landscape. All first or second feature films in Official Selection by Canadian filmmakers are eligible for this award. The winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000. This year’s jury members were Estrella Araiza, Chelsea McMullan, and Randall Okita.
Best Canadian Discovery Award:
Universal Language, dir. Matthew Rankin | Canada
Jury’s Statement: “After an incredible year of films featuring a wildly diverse range of talent, heart and innovation, we are honored to present the Best Canadian Discovery Award to a film that boldly charts its own course through a poetic exploration of heart, home and human connection: the absurdly funny, sweet and soulful Universal Language.”
Honourable Mention:
You Are Not Alone, dirs. Marie-Hélène Viens, Philippe Lupien | Canada
Jury’s statement: “We would like to first give an Honourable Mention to You Are Not Alone, a film that entranced us with its outstanding performances, meticulously constructed tone, and wonderfully fresh approach to genre.”
BEST CANADIAN FEATURE FILM AWARD PRESENTED BY CANADA GOOSE
Canada Goose has always played a supporting role in the magic of filmmaking. TIFF continues to celebrate the unique craft and storytelling within Canadian cinema with the Best Canadian Feature Film Award. All Canadian feature films in Official Selection — excluding first or second features — will be considered for the award. The winning filmmaker will receive a $10,000 cash prize. The 2024 Best Canadian Feature Film Award is presented by Canada Goose.
Best Canadian Feature Film Award:
Shepherds, dir. Sophie Deraspe | Canada
Jury’s statement: “Among the many beautiful films showcased in the program this year, Shepherds rose above with its electrifying performances and staggering world-building that gave us a window into a harrowing journey of ambition, idealism, and what it means to live a full life.”
PLATFORM COMPETITION AWARD
The Platform Award is an award of $20,000 CAD given to the best film in the competition selected by an in-person international jury. This year’s jury members were Atom Egoyan, Hur Jin-ho, and Jane Schoenbrun.
Platform Award:
They Will Be Dust, dir. Carlos Marques-Marcet | Spain, Italy, Switzerland
Platform Jury statement: “They Will Be Dust was the unanimous choice for this year’s Platform Award amongst a very strong selection. Director Carlos Marques-Marcet has assembled a superb cast, with heartbreaking performances from Alfredo Castro and Ángela Molina. From the very first shot of the film, the jury knew it was in masterful hands. The film’s ability to mix moments of extreme pathos with humour was unique and completely convincing. This emotionally loaded story was told with great formal daring, a breathtaking sense of visual panache, and a deep sense of humanity.”
Honourable Mention:
Sylvia Chang in Daughter’s Daughter, dir. Huang Xi | Taiwan
Platform Jury statement: “The jury also wished to acknowledge the exceptional artistry of Sylvia Chang’s brilliant and extremely multilayered portrayal of a conflicted mother in Huang Xi’s film Daughter’s Daughter. This great actress has delivered one of her finest performances, and we are pleased to give this legend of Taiwanese cinema the most honourable of mentions.”
Last Sunday, the following were honoured with TIFF 2024 Tribute Awards, with Sandra Oh as Honorary Chair of the sixth annual fundraising gala:
- Amy Adams: TIFF Tribute Performer Award
- Angelina Jolie: TIFF Tribute Award in Impact Media
- Cate Blanchett: TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award
- Clément Ducol & Camille: TIFF Variety Artisan Award
- David Cronenberg: TIFF Norman Jewison Career Achievement
- Durga Chew-Bose: TIFF Emerging Talent Award
- Jharrel Jerome: TIFF Tribute Performer Award
- Mike Leigh: TIFF Ebert Director Award
- Zhao Tao: TIFF Special Tribute Award
