TIFF 2025: Chloe Zhao Creates History With Popular Choice Award Win, Becomes First Director Honoured Twice

Renowned

director Chloé Zhao has created history by winning twice at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Her recent project, Hamnet, has claimed the top prize at the award ceremony by winning the People’s Choice Award on Sunday. This marks her second time taking home TIFF’s People’s Choice Award, after she won with Nomadland in 2020.

Chloé Zhao becomes the first director to be honoured twice at TIFF

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet won the prestigious People’s Choice Award on Sunday at the 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, following its earlier appearances at Venice, Telluride, and Cannes.The film is Zhao’s adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel, and presents a fictionalised portrayal of William Shakespeare’s early romance and emotional journey with his wife, Agnes. The film sees Paul Mescal take on the role of Shakespeare, with Jessie Buckley earning acclaim for her performance as Agnes.

Hamnet made its debut at Telluride to a strong critical reception and held its Canadian premiere in Toronto. This marks Zhao’s second TIFF People’s Choice win, following her 2020 triumph with Nomadland.ALSO READ: Hamnet Director Chloé Zhao Reveals She 'Just Wrapped Pilot' For Buffy Reboot Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar

Chloé Zhao expresses gratitude in her winning speech

Receiving the award via video call, Zhao expressed gratitude and shared her thoughts on the deeper significance of audience connection. She recalled a personal experience of being lonely as a child, writing stories and drawing manga, sharing them online to read reactions. That connection, even with strangers, helped her feel less isolated and made her life feel more meaningful.

Winners at TIFF 2025

Finishing as runners‑up to Hamnet were Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Other audience‑awarded titles included Park Chan‑wook’s No Other Choice (International People’s Choice), Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie (Midnight Madness), and Barry Avrich’s The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue in the documentary category.