Chloe Zhao's Hamnet Wins TIFF People's Choice Award

Chloé Zhao's film "Hamnet," a dramatization of William Shakespeare's marriage and the death of his son Hamnet, won the prestigious People’s Choice Award at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), positioning it as a frontrunner for the 2026 Academy Awards. The film stars Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, whose performances have garnered significant acclaim, and is adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel. Zhao previously won the same TIFF award and subsequent Best Picture and Best Director Oscars for "Nomadland," reinforcing "Hamnet"'s strong potential for awards season success. Other notable winners at TIFF included Park Chan-wook’s "No Other Choice," which took the International People’s Choice Award, and Netflix releases Guillermo del Toro’s "Frankenstein" and Rian Johnson’s "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" as runners-up. The festival also honored documentaries and short films, continuing its tradition of recognizing diverse cinematic achievements. "Hamnet" is set for theatrical release in November 2025, with Oscar nominations expected shortly after, heightening anticipation among critics and audiences alike.