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The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), held every September, is not only the opening act of the North American fall film season but is also considered a bellwether for the Academy Awards. Films that win the People's Choice Award often go on to win an Oscar. This year's TIFF was no exception, boasting a star-studded lineup and numerous surprises. One of the biggest highlights was Chinese-American director Chloé Zhao's People's Choice Award win for her new film, *Hamnet*.
Asian cinema shines together
Adapted from Maggie O'Farrell's novel of the same name, *Hamnet* begins with the early death of Shakespeare's son, Hamnet, and depicts a story about creation, loss, and eternity. Chloé Zhao transforms the melancholy of classic British cinema into visuals, showcasing her signature natural aesthetics and humanistic perspective. Following *Nomadland*, she won the TIFF Audience Award again, making *Hamnet* a strong contender for the 2026 Oscars.
This year's TIFF was particularly welcoming to Asian films, with Shu Qi's directorial debut, *Girl*, being one of the most anticipated. Selected for the Centrepiece section, the film unfolds from a girl's perspective, reflecting on the complexities of her upbringing and highlighting the shared, often unhealed wounds of an era. Director Shu Qi's cinematography is highly personal, profoundly depicting how women, within broken family structures, use their resilience to carve out a path to survival and spiritual redemption. Shu Qi's transition from actress to director has resulted in a stunning production, showcasing the new power of female creators in the Chinese-speaking world.
"A Pale View of Hills," adapted by Japanese director Kei Ishikawa from Kazuo Ishiguro's novel of the same name, sparked heated discussions at its premiere at TIFF this year. Set in postwar Nagasaki, the film tells the story of a mother looking back on the past. The director uses minimalist narrative and soft-focus cinematography to create a dreamlike atmosphere, where memory and reality intertwine on screen, lingering like mist. This work continues the philosophical exploration of "time and guilt" in Japanese cinema, echoing Ishiguro's poignant yet restrained portrayal of humanity.
Korean films have truly flourished at this year's TIFF. Directed by actor-turned-director Lee Hwan, and starring Han So-hee and Jeon Jong-seo, *Project Y* tells the story of two women who, weary of the struggles and humiliations of their lives at the bottom of society, decide to take a desperate gamble: stealing hidden money and gold bars, vowing to reclaim their stolen future. Director Lee Hwan will use his delicate cinematography to portray the interdependence and struggles of these two women on their criminal journey.
Another South Korean film that sparked heated discussion was *No Other Choice*, directed by South Korean film master Park Chan-wook and adapted from the American novel *The Axe*. The film profoundly dissects the anxiety and nihilism hidden beneath the glamorous exterior of the elite class. It tells the story of a high-ranking executive who, in desperation, absurdly chooses to eliminate workplace competitors through extreme means. Park Chan-wook, with his signature visual and auditory language, elevates the existential anxieties prevalent in East Asian society into a dark and chilling game of killing. The film also won the Best International Feature Film award at the film festival.
Of course, the allure of TIFF extends beyond the red carpet and awards; each post-screening discussion feels like a continuation of the story. This year's festival once again proves that film is not only an art form, but also a way of understanding the world.
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), held every September, is not only the opening act of the North American fall film season but also considered a bellwether for the Academy Awards. Films that win the People's Choice Award often go on to win at the Academy Awards. This year's TIFF was no exception, boasting a star-studded lineup and numerous surprises. One of the biggest highlights was the People's Choice Award won by Chinese-American director Chloé Zhao for her new film, *Hamnet*. *Hamnet*, adapted from Maggie O'Farrell's novel of the same name, begins with the early death of Shakespeare's son, Hamnet, and depicts a story about creation, loss, and eternity. Zhao transforms the melancholy of classic British cinema into images, showcasing her signature natural aesthetics and humanistic perspective. She won TIFF again after *Nomadland*…
