Awards

‘La Bola Negra’ Triumphs at TIFF with People’s Choice Award, Igniting Awards Season

By Isla Kerr, Awards EditorSeptember 20, 2026

Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi’s Spanish epic secures the TIFF audience prize, signaling a strong awards season push for the film. The victory continues the festival’s pattern of predicting Oscar contenders, with previous winners often going on to major nominations and wins.

The 2026 Toronto International Film Festival wrapped up with a palpable buzz around its top prize, the People’s Choice Award, which was handed to Spanish filmmakers Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi for their sweeping epic ‘La Bola Negra.’ Already a hit at Cannes, the film’s TIFF victory cements its status as a contender in this year’s awards race, especially given the track record of past winners. Thirteen of the last 16 TIFF People’s Choice winners have gone on to Oscar nominations for Best Picture, underscoring how critical this award has become as a bellwether for Hollywood’s biggest night.

‘La Bola Negra’ is a sprawling narrative that explores themes of cultural identity and political upheaval, drawing praise for its ambitious storytelling and emotional depth. The film’s success at TIFF—where audiences vote directly—reflects widespread viewer enthusiasm, which often correlates with awards season momentum. Netflix, which distributed the film, has seen the film’s popularity surge, with industry insiders noting this win could boost its prospects at the upcoming awards shows.

The festival’s audience awards are seen as a barometer of popular support, and this year’s choice continues TIFF’s reputation as a predictor of Oscar success. Last year, ‘Hamnet’ director Chloé Zhao made history as the first filmmaker to win the People’s Choice Award twice, and this year’s winner could follow a similar trajectory. Other awards announced at TIFF included juried honors like the Platform Award and the Best Canadian Feature, but the People’s Choice remains the most high-profile victory.

Watch the TIFF awards ceremony replay here, where ‘La Bola Negra’ was celebrated amid a flurry of excitement. The film’s victory is being seen as a major boost for Spanish cinema in the global awards landscape, and critics are already speculating on its potential to snag nominations at the Oscars, Golden Globes, and other major awards. With TIFF’s results in, all eyes now turn toward the fall festivals and the awards season, as ‘La Bola Negra’ stakes its claim as a serious contender.

According to IndieWire, the film’s win at TIFF is not just a triumph of audience support but also a sign of its rising prestige. Industry insiders are watching closely to see if it can replicate past TIFF winners’ success in securing nominations and wins. As awards season heats up, ‘La Bola Negra’ remains a film to watch, especially given its Cannes debut and now TIFF victory, positioning it as a frontrunner in a competitive field.

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