Big changes are coming for the Toronto International Film Festival just in time for their fiftieth celebration. According to Variety, the festival is aiming to put the spotlight on international cinema with the announcement of the International People’s Choice Award, which will be given to the most popular international feature playing in the festival. Just like the People’s Choice Award, this honor is voted on by audiences who are attending TIFF. It is prefaced that films either from the United States or Canada are not eligible for this prize.Â
Not much else is known about this development, but we’re sure to find out more in the coming months as fall festival season slowly inches closer. What we do know is that this could form itself into becoming another major precursor for awards season. The People’s Choice Award winner and those films that earn recognition as Runner Ups have often found themselves translating into Best Picture nominees at the Academy Awards. As the international branch has only strengthened in the past five years, international films have had far more of an impact in the awards race than ever before.
Awards aside, it’s great to see a respected festival like TIFF shine a spotlight on more films, giving more artists the recognition they deserve.Â
What do you think of the International People’s Choice Award? How do you think this will impact the Oscar race? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or on our XÂ account.
