Kenneth Branagh's 'Belfast' Wins Top Honours at TIFF 2021

See the complete list of winners from the festival's 46th edition

BY Megan LaPierrePublished Sep 20, 2021

The Toronto International Film Festival closed out its 46th edition on Saturday (September 18) by awarding top honours to the crème de la crème of the films presented at this year's festival. 

Kenneth Branagh's semi-autobiographical, black-and-white drama Belfast claimed the TIFF People's Choice Award and solidified its position as a strong contender for next year's Oscars.

Other major winners at this year's festival were Jessica Chastain and Benedict Cumberbatch, taking home the TIFF Tribute Actor Awards for their respective performances in The Eyes of Tammy Fayeand The Power of the Dog and The Electrical Life of Louis Wain.

Musician Dionne Warwick won the Special Tribute Award for her Don't Make Me Over documentary.

And nothing's over till someone says DuneDenis Villeneuve was recognized with the TIFF Ebert Director Award after his recent proclamation that Marvel movies have "turned us into zombies."

"2021 brought an exceptional selection of films that excited Festival audiences around the world," TIFF co-heads Joana Vicente and Cameron Bailey said while announcing the winners of the 2021 awards.

They continued:

Our lineup showcased beloved auteurs alongside fresh voices in filmmaking, including numerous women powerhouses. TIFF welcomed guests, press, industry, international stars and directors back to the city and into cinemas; the sweeping range in cinematic storytelling from around the world is a testament to the uniqueness of the films that are being made. We're so grateful and proud of this year's Festival.

See the full list of TIFF 2021 winners below.

TIFF 2021 Awards:

People's Choice Award
Belfast, dir. Kenneth Branagh

People's Choice Documentary Award
The Rescue, dirs. E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin

People's Choice Midnight Madness Award
Titane, dir. Julia Ducournau

TIFF Tribute Actor Awards
Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog / The Electrical Life of Louis Wain

Special Tribute Award
Dionne Warwick, Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over

TIFF Ebert Director Award
Denis Villeneuve, Dune

TIFF Emerging Talent Award
Danis Goulet, Night Raiders

Platform Prize
Yuni, dir. Kamila Andini

Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media
Alanis Obomsawin

Shawn Mendes Foundation Changemaker Award
Scarborough, dirs. Shasha Nakhai and Rich Williamson

Amplify Voices Award for Best Canadian Feature Film
Ste. Anne, dir. Rhayne Vermette

Amplify Voices Award
The Gravedigger's Wife, dir. Khadar Ayderus Ahmed
A Night of Knowing Nothing, dir. Payal Kapadia

TIFF Variety Artisan Award
Cinematographer Ari Wegner, The Power of the Dog

IMDbPro Short Cuts Award for Best Film
Displaced / Pa Vend, dir. Samir Karahoda

IMDbPro Short Cuts Award for Best Canadian Film
Angakusajaujuq – The Shaman's Apprentice, dir. Zacharias Kunuk

IMDbPro Short Cuts Share Her Journey Award
Astel, dir. Ramata-Toulaye Sy

NETPAC Award
Costa Brava, Lebanon, dir. Mounia Akl

FIPRESCI Prize
Anatolian Leopard, dir. Emre Kayiş

Last Thursday (September 16), TIFF sent out a health advisory after confirming a COVID-19 case at the festival.

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