The Toranto International Film Festival (TIFF) for 2021 has come to an end, and over the weekend the annual award took place for the films showcased at the event.
At the 46 edition of the TIFF festival, the semi-autobiographical, black-and-white drama from director Kenneth Branagh, Belfast, took home the TIFF People's Choice Award while the TIFF People's Choice Midnight Madness Award, an award given to the most popular underground film at the event, went to Titane by director Julia Ducournau. Other winners include Dune director Denis Villeneuve receiving the TIFF Ebert Director Award and The Rescue by directors E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin for TIFF People's Choice Documentary Award. Capping off the event was Jessica Chastain and Benedict Cumberbatch taking home the TIFF Actress and Actor Tribute Awards.
Co-heads of TIFF Joana Vicente and Cameron Bailey said in a statement:
“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 guest 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.”
Tyrone Edwards and Chloe Wilde returned as hosts for the event with it being opened with an introduction from Sigourney Weaver. Presenting special tributes at the event were Shamier Anderson, Kirsten Dunst, Rebecca Ferguson, Emma Ferreira, Gladys Knight, Phillip Lewitski, Eva Longoria, David Oyelowo, Michael Showalter, and Kiefer Sutherland.
Below is a list of all the TIFF Awards and the 2021 recipients.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD - Belfast, directed by Kenneth Branagh
PEOPLE’S CHOICE DOCUMENTARY AWARD - The Rescue, directed E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin
PEOPLE’S CHOICE MIDNIGHT MADNESS AWARD - Titane, directed by Julia Ducournau
TIFF TRIBUTE ACTOR AWARDS - Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog / The Electrical Life of Louis Wain
SPECIAL TRIBUTE AWARD - Dionne Warwick, Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over
TIFF EBERT DIRECTOR AWARD - Denis Villeneuve, Dune
TIFF EMERGING TALENT AWARD - Danis Goulet, Night Raiders
PLATFORM PRIZE - Yuni, directed by Kamila Andini
JEFF SKOLL AWARD IN IMPACT MEDIA - Alanis Obomsawin
SHAWN MENDES FOUNDATION CHANGEMAKER AWARD - Scarborough, directed by Shasha Nakhai and Rich Williamson
AMPLIFY VOICES AWARD FOR BEST CANADIAN FEATURE FILM - Ste. Anne, directed by Rhayne Vermette
AMPLIFY VOICES AWARD - The Gravedigger’s Wife, directed by Khadar Ayderus Ahmed, A Night of Knowing Nothing, directed by Payal Kapadia
TIFF VARIETY ARTISAN AWARD - Cinematographer Ari Wegner, The Power of the Dog
IMDbPRO SHORT CUTS AWARD FOR BEST FILM - Displaced, directed by Samir Karahoda
IMDbPRO SHORT CUTS AWARD FOR BEST CANADIAN FILM - Angakusajaujuq – The Shaman’s Apprentice, directed by Zacharias Kunuk
IMDbPRO SHORT CUTS SHARE HER JOURNEY AWARD - Astel, dir. Ramata-Toulaye Sy