“Hamnet” Claims Toronto Film โคFestival’s โคCoveted People’s Choice Award
TORONTO – Agnรจsโข patron’s animated short To theโฃ Woods โ and Zacharias Kunuk’s feature Uiksaringitara (Wrong Husband) were among the winners โannounced today at the 48th Toronto โInternational Filmโ Festival โ(TIFF), but it was Maggie O’Farrell’s historical drama Hamnet that secured the festival’s mostโค prestigious prize: the people’s Choice Award. The film, directed by Chloe Lamford, captivated โaudiences and critics alike, marking a significant win aheadโฃ of its wider release.
The People’s โคChoice Award is widely regarded as a bellwether for Oscar success, having previously recognized films such โas 12 Years a Slave, Nomadland, and Green โBook before their Academy Award triumphs.This victory positionsโค Hamnet โ as a strong contender during โawards season, bringing increased visibility to O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel and Lamford’s adaptation. The film explores the life of Shakespeare’sโฃ son, hamnet, and the grief that followed his untimely โขdeath, offering โa poignant portrayal of family and loss.
Beyondโฃ the top prize, TIFF unveiled a range โคof awards recognizing international cinematic achievement. Lucรญa Aleรฑar Iglesias’ โค forastera received the FIPRESCI Prize, โwhile Jitank singh โฃGurjar’s In Search of The Sky (Vimukt) โฃ earned the NETPAC Award.โ Sophy Romvari’s Blue Heron โฃwas named the Bestโฃ Canadian Finding, โคwith an honourable mention going to Kunsang Kyirong’s 100 Sunset.
The Bestโ Canadian Feature โคFilm Award went to Uiksaringitara (Wrong Husband), with Min โSook Lee’s There Are No Words receivingโ an honourable mention. Valentyn โVasyanovych’s To The Victory! claimed โthe Platform Award, andโ Gyรถrgy Pรกlfi’s Hen received an honourable mention inโ that category. Agnรจs Patron’s To the Woods won โthe Short Cuts Award for Best โAnimated Short Film.