Full Breakdown
Chloé Zhao's "Hamnet" Wins People's Choice Award at TIFF 2025
9/14/2025, 8:00:48 PM
Overview of the Event
Chloé Zhao's adaptation of "Hamnet," based on Maggie O'Farrell's acclaimed novel, won the People's Choice Award at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). This award, which has historically predicted Oscar success, positions "Hamnet" as a strong contender for the upcoming Academy Awards. The film, featuring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, explores the life of William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes as they navigate the grief of losing their son.
Significance of the People's Choice Award
The People's Choice Award at TIFF has become a reliable indicator of future Oscar nominations and wins. Since 2011, every recipient has either received a Best Picture nomination or won the award. Notable past winners include "Nomadland," "Green Book," and "12 Years a Slave." Zhao's previous film, "Nomadland," also won this award in 2020 and subsequently secured the Best Picture Oscar.
Key Awards and Runners-Up
At the 50th TIFF, "Hamnet" was followed by Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein" as the first runner-up and Rian Johnson's "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" as the second runner-up. Additionally, the newly introduced International People's Choice Award went to Park Chan-wook's "No Other Choice," with Joachim Trier's "Sentimental Value" and Neeraj Ghaywan's "Homebound" as runners-up. The People's Choice Documentary Award was awarded to Barry Avrich's "The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue," which faced controversy due to its subject matter related to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.
Official Statements & Responses
Zhao expressed gratitude for the award, emphasizing the importance of connecting with audiences through storytelling. In her acceptance speech, she reflected on her past loneliness and how sharing stories helped her feel connected to others. TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey noted the significance of the award, stating, “This win makes Zhao the first director to have two films win the People’s Choice Award.”
Criticism & Opposition
While "Hamnet" received acclaim, the documentary "The Road Between Us" sparked protests and controversy, with some labeling it as "Israeli propaganda" without having seen the film. This highlights the polarized reactions to films addressing sensitive political issues at festivals.
What's Next
"Hamnet" is set for a limited release on November 27, 2025, followed by a wider release on December 12, 2025. As awards season approaches, Zhao and her cast are anticipated to be strong contenders in various categories, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Buckley.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I’d like to share that I was very lonely when I was young. And I wrote stories and I drew manga, and I put them on the Internet so that I could read the comments and the reactions of strangers. Whether they liked them or not, I felt connected to them, and suddenly the world is a little less of a lonely place and life seems to have more meaning,” — Chloé Zhao, Director
- “The win makes Zhao the first director to have two films win the People’s Choice Award, which was first given out in 1978.” — TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey
The recognition of "Hamnet" at TIFF not only enhances its visibility but also sets the stage for a competitive awards season ahead.
