The Oscars are almost eight months away, but film awards season is already taking shape. Most severe contenders head towards the back half of the year and three film festivals in particular.
Venice, Telluride (in Colorado) and Toronto all take place within a few days of each other in late August and September and compete to host the best films.
Even though it doesn’t get all the notable movies playing at other shows, Toronto is a reliable Oscar predictor.
For the past decade, the winner of the festival’s People’s Choice Award, which filmmakers vote on, has consistently received a Best Picture nomination, with some films going on to win Green Book and Nomadland.
“It is the greatest testament to our audience,” says Cameron Bailey, CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). “They’re often the first public audience worldwide to see some of these films. They follow their enthusiasms and passions and excitement.
“It’s a city that I think has a unique film audience. A city of filmgoers that are very informed about movies but never snobbish about the film. And they’re willing to follow what they get excited about. They’re not embarrassed about falling in love with movies.”
The Oscars are almost eight months away, but film awards season is already taking shape. Most serious contenders head towards the back half of the year, and three film festivals in particular.
Venice, Telluride (in Colorado) and Toronto all take place within a few days of each other in late August and September and compete to host the best films.
Even though it doesn’t get all the notable movies playing at other shows, Toronto is a reliable Oscar predictor.
For the past decade, the winner of the festival’s People’s Choice Award, which filmmakers vote on, has consistently received a Best Picture nomination, with some films going on to win Green Book and Nomadland.