After eleven consecutive days of non-stop press, market, and public film screenings, gruelling full red carpet coverages, photo calls, and gala presentations, the 51st edition of Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF51) has culminated with a fitting TIFF Awards Press Conference and Brunch at TIFF Lightbox Cinema 1 on September 20, 2026.
Accredited press, participating filmmakers, producers, and TIFF management were present to grace the occasion. Kultura Life & Art’s accredited press, Roberto Lavidez and Joyne Lavides, were both invited and present at said event.
In her welcome remarks, Judy Lung, TIFF Vice President, Strategy, Communications & Stakeholder Relations said,
“I wanna take a moment to acknowledge the members of the media… TIFF may unfold over 11 days, but the work begins long before the lights go down, and its impact continues long before the lights come up. Your curiosity, your independent voices, and your commitment are essential to the health of this industry. You help films find their audiences, filmmakers enter the wider conversation, and stories become part of shared culture. So thank you for the long hours, the perseverance, and everything you do to help transform the way people see the world through film.”
Spanning eleven consecutive days from September 10th to the 20th, TIFF hosted almost three hundred films from 72 countries.
There were around 98 red carpets rolled by TIFF to welcome over 800 filmmakers who travelled across the globe to attend premieres and gala presentations. There were at least 2,000 accredited media, myself and Joyne included, to cover various events throughout the festival.
TIFF: The Market was officially launched this year. According to TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey, this is “a new chapter for the organization to bring the global screen industry to Canada’s doorstep every single year…” At least 7,000 delegates in seven days attended summits, speaking engagements, screenings, meetings, and deal making alongside public festival. Bailey further stated that “it was a 40% increase in registered delegates in one year…”
In a historic first, the winner of TIFF26’s Platform Prize was granted direct eligibility for Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards. TIFF is only one of six international festival awards that offer direct pathway to Oscars. With this prize that also came with $20,000 CAD, the list was expanded to 12 eligible films.
“ANGH”, directed by Indigenous Nagaland filmmaker Theja Rio, won. According to the jury, “The Platform Prize goes to “Angh” for its refreshing perspective, strength of filmmaking, and deeply resonant portrait of a world. We praise the filmmaker’s vision, audacity and courage.”
In his acceptance speech, Rio stated “What you have done is truly special, highlighting a film that comes from indigenous region and speaks a tribal language… we get to represent ourselves… thank you for believing in our story…”
Other film contenders for the Platform Prize included CHILDREN UNTOLD from acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Miwa Nishikawa; Amanda Kernell’s BRACE YOUR HEART; Ferit Karahan’s DJINN WEDDING; Irene Dionisio’s IDDA; Nyla Innuksuk’s IN THE HEART OF THE SOUTH; Bertil Nilsson’s MASC; Gabriel Martins’ ON BEHALF OF MY SON; Lawrence Fajardo’s SILENCED NIGHTS; John Trengove’s THE SMELL OF APPLES; Yoon Dan-bi’s THE WORLD BEFORE; and Jan Holoubek’s WILD WILD EAST.
The annual TIFF Tribute Awards celebrated the following filmmakers: Penélope Cruz, TIFF Special Tribute Award; Lee Chang-dong, TIFF Ebert Director Award; Rosalind Eleazar and Isabelle Huppert, TIFF Tribute Performer Awards; and Siân Heder, TIFF Tribute Award in Impact Media.
“La Bola Negra” won the People’s Choice Award. First runner-up was “I Play Rocky”, and Second runner-up was “Being Heumann”. “Elsinore” got the International People’s Choice Award. First runner-up was “Possible Love”; Second runner-up was “The Assassin(s)”. People’s Choice Documentary Award went to “Darlene Love: I Know Where I’ve Been”. First runner-up was “Black Sunflowers”, and Second runner-up was “The Ultra Runner”. “Ladies and Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney” got the People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award. First runner-up was “The Spiral”, and Second runner-up was “Arrested Memory”.
Short Cuts Awards were presented with a bursary of $10,000 CAD. Best International Short Film went to “Mammalia”, with Honourable Mention to “The Spectacular Death of Prisca“. “Fight Kid” won the Best Canadian Short Film, and Honourable Mention went to “Almost Pink“. “Into The Betaverse” was the Best Animated Short Film, with Honourable Mention to “Terminal“.
“Ancestors” won the FIPRESCI Prize, while “Thirteen in Gaza” got the NETPAC Award. “Brace Your Heart” was given the Special Jury Award. “Sunburn” won the Best Canadian Feature Film Award with a cash prize of $10,000 CAD. Honourable Mention went to the “Man in Motion: The Rick Hansen Story“.
“Smudge the Blades” secured the Best Canadian Discovery Award with a cash prize of $10,000 CAD. Cody Lightning, Indigenous Cree Nation film director, dedicated the award to his mother, also a filmmaker, who passed on a few weeks ago…. “this one’s for my mom… this film is for all of us, this film is for Wicihitowin, that means we all come together, ‘cause nothing happens unless we come together. None of these projects get made unless we come together…” Honourable Mention went to “The Black Box is Orange“.
After the awards press conference, reception proceeded at the scenic TIFF Malaparte rooftop. With CN Tower as the backdrop, attendees got together and feasted with brunch and drinks while igniting new conversations with colleagues and new acquaintances. Roberto and Joyne reconnected with acclaimed Japanese filmmaker, Miwa Nishikawa, and made connections with esteemed Vietnamese filmmakers Johnny Tri Nguyen, Nguyen Phan Quan Binh, and Ngo Thi Bich Hanh.
Roberto and Joyne also caught up with Ms. Lung who personally thanked them for all the press work done throughout the festival. Lung’s message summed up TIFF26: … “I’ve been talking about great films for ten, eleven days straight. Thank you for being here. TIFF26 has been a great one. We look forward to seeing you next year.” See you at TIFF 2027. ####