With the final days of another eventful Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) season officially behind us, the highly-anticipated 2024 TIFF Awards have been announced.
The festival ran from Sept. 5-15, with 278 films available at this year’s 49th edition. On Sunday, the festival held its annual awards ceremony where it presented 10 awards, including jury-awarded prizes and the People’s Choice Awards.
“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,” Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF, said in a press release. “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.”
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Including the Choice Documentary Award and Best Canadian short film, here are some of the films that left with the ultimate stamp of approval from TIFF:
People’s Choice Award:
The film that ultimately pleased the most crowds was awarded to The Life of Chuck, an adaptation of a Stephen King novel under the same name. Directed by Mike Flanagan, the science fiction drama is about three chapters in the life of Chuck, an accountant played by Tom Hiddleston. Stephen King shouted out the win, writing, “It’s a little movie that could,” on X.
People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award:
The Substance, directed by Coralie Fargeat, was the fan-favourite of the Midnight Madness Award. Starring household-names Margaret Qualley, Demi Moore, and Dennis Quaid, the film is about an older celebrity who creates a younger and better version of herself using a black-market drug. The film also took home Best Screenplay at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
People’s Choice Documentary Award:
And the winner is…The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal, directed by Mike Downie, brother of band frontman, the late Gord Downie. The film interweaves archival footage and sit-down interviews as it dives into the history and legacy of the Kingston-born Canadian rock band, The Tragically Hip. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau even makes an appearance in the film, as a fan of the band.
Short Cuts Award for Best International Film:
Based on juror votes, the best international short film was awarded to Deck 5B, a Swedish film directed by Malin Ingrid Johansson. The emotional film is about a woman torn between the needs of her young son and her own desires. Deck 2B is the third short film Johansson has directed.
Short Cuts Award for Best Canadian Film:
The victorious Canadian short was Are You Scared To Be Yourself Because You Think That You Might Fail?, directed by Bec Pecaut. The film is a story about Mad, a character who navigates the aftermath of top surgery and emotional challenges in their home life.
“This filmmaker was able to capture a moment in life with such authenticity in an effortless way. The jury was inspired to join these characters on a heartful expedition through decisions that were scary, funny, challenging, and ultimately real,” the jury said as they announced the award winner.
Best Canadian Feature Film Award
Despite many exceptional films showcased at this years’ festival, only one could be deemed the best Canadian feature film. Shepherds, a film about a Montreal advertising executive who quit her job to become a Provençal shepard, directed by Sophie Deaspe, received the award.
“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,” the jurors said.
Other 2024 TIFF awards include:
Platform Award: They Will Be Dust, directed by Carlos Marques-Marcet.
FIPRESCI Award: Mother Mother, directed by K’naan Warsame.
NETPAC Award: The Last of the Sea Women, directed by Sue Kim.
Best Canadian Discovery Award: Universal Language, directed by Matthew Rankin.
