Toronto Film Critics Association Awards 2025
| 29th Toronto Film Critics Association | |
|---|---|
| Date | March 2, 2026 |
| Site | The Omni King Edward Hotel |
| Hosted by | Tamara Podemski |
| Highlights | |
| Best Picture | One Battle After Another |
| Most awards | One Battle After Another (4) |
The 29th Toronto Film Critics Association Awards, honouring the best films released in 2025, were announced on December 7, 2025.[1][2][3]
The awards were formally presented, alongside the announcement of the winners of the Rogers Best Canadian Film Award (for Canadian narrative and documentary films) and the organization's special awards, at the organization's annual gala, hosted by Canadian actress Tamara Podemski for the second year in a row, at The Omni King Edward Hotel in Toronto, on March 2, 2026.[3][4][5]
Controversy
Two days following the ceremony, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers returned her award for Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Canadian Film after learning that her pre-taped acceptance speech had been edited at the ceremony, purportedly for length but alleged by Tailfeathers to have been for political reasons as the end of her speech contained supportive remarks about the Palestinian people.[6][7][8]
Unable to attend the ceremony in person, Tailfeathers' video message included the statement "my heart continues to be with the people of Palestine who are experiencing th[e] ongoing genocide and thank you to anyone in this industry who's been brave enough to say anything". Tailfeathers said that she was "disgusted and ashamed" by the Toronto Film Critics Association's decision to cut that portion of her speech. In what was described as a "furious" email sent to TFCA members, Tailfeathers condemned the organization for censorship and vowed to return her award, writing, "A choice was made to neutralize and censor my words with the paternalistic excuse that I somehow needed protection from my own words." Tailfeathers added that she was not interested in receiving an apology, writing, "I do not know how this rupture can be repaired. The moral injury I carry with me cannot be undone."[9]
In response to her letter, Toronto Film Critics Association president Johanna Schneller said that Tailfeathers' speech had only been edited "to maintain the timing of the awards show" and not for political reasons, and that the decision was hers as president, but would nevertheless resign as the organization's president, writing, "In light of this outcome, I will be tendering my resignation."[9] Furthermore, The Hollywood Reporter learned that another three active members of forty-six had resigned following Schneller's resignation.[10]
On March 9, the Toronto Film Critics Association apologized to Tailfeathers in a statement issued to the CBC News website. "We sincerely apologize to Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers for the fact that her message was not aired in full and that she was neither given an opportunity to review the edits to her acceptance speech, nor were time constraints communicated to her," the TFCA stated.[10]
The organization also promised that all future award winners will "receive an opportunity to review and approve pre-recorded speeches before they run, and that any time constraints or concerns must be expressly communicated to them throughout the process."[10] The TFCA further apologized to its members "who were both personally and professionally offended by these events," adding in its statement that it will "welcome the return of any members and look forward to inviting new perspectives into the group, as we do annually, to better represent the Toronto film scene".[10]
Winners
Winners are listed first and in bold, followed by the runners-up.
Special awards
- Company 3 Luminary Award – Ron Mann[11]
- Company 3 Luminary "Pay It Forward" Grant – Jacquelyn Mills[4]
- Telefilm Canada Emerging Critic Award – Nirris Nagendrarajah[11]
- Stella Artois Jay Scott Prize for Best Emerging Artist – Xiaodan He[11]
References
- ^ Anderson, Erik (December 7, 2025). "Toronto Film Critics Association (TFCA) Go for 'One Battle After Another', Rose Byrne, Ethan Hawke, and More". AwardsWatch. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ^ Nino Gheciu, Alex (December 8, 2025). "'One Battle After Another' dominates Toronto Film Critics Association Awards with 4 wins". The Canadian Press. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ^ a b Tracy, Andrew (December 7, 2025). "'Blue Heron', 'Endless Cookie' take prizes at TFCA Awards". Playback. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ^ a b Tracy, Andrew (March 3, 2026). "'Blue Heron', 'Endless Cookie' win TFCA's top Canadian Film Awards". Playback. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
- ^ Nino Gheciu, Alex (March 3, 2026). "'Blue Heron' wins Best Canadian Film at TFCA Awards, 'Endless Cookie' wins Best Doc". The Canadian Press. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
- ^ a b Nino Gheciu, Alex (March 4, 2026). "Actor Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers returns award to Toronto film critics group, says her speech was censored". The Canadian Press. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ Frank, Jason P. (March 6, 2026). "The Toronto Film Critics Association is Falling Apart". Vulture. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
- ^ "What's happening with the Toronto Film Critics Association?". CBC. March 9, 2026. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
- ^ a b Benzine, Adam (March 4, 2026). "Canadian Actress Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers Returns Toronto Film Critics Award in Response to Censorship of Pro-Palestine Speech". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
- ^ a b c d Vlessing, Etan (March 10, 2026). "Toronto Film Critics Association Apologizes for Pro-Palestine Comments Edit as Member Exodus Grows". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
- ^ a b c Tracy, Andrew (January 20, 2026). "TFCA names Emerging Artist, Luminary Award winners". Playback. Retrieved January 22, 2026.