The Toronto International Film Festival has announced a change to its awards format this year, with the news that the TIFF People’s Choice Award and Platform Jury Prize will be unveiled during the TIFF Tribute Awards.

The one-hour broadcast event, produced by Bell Media Studios, will air on Sept. 18 on CTV in Canada, with Variety streaming the awards globally. This year marks the second time the awards ceremony launched in 2019 will be broadcast.

The People’s Choice Award and Platform prizes were previously announced on the closing day of the festival. Other TIFF prizes, including the Amplify Voices Awards, IMDbPro Short Cuts Awards and the FIPRESCI Prize, will be announced via press release following the broadcast.

TIFF also revealed that Night Raiders director Danis Goulet will be honoured with the TIFF Emerging Talent Award.

The award, which is presented by TIFF and MGM, honours an artist who has “exemplified greatness in their career and a level of excellence on the world stage.” Last year’s winner was Beans director Tracey Deer, while Mati Diop (Atlantics) won the honour in its inaugural year. Goulet’s Night Raiders will have its North American premiere at the festival as a Gala Presentation.

“As an alumna of TIFF, we’re proud of Danis Goulet’s work and her film Night Raiders that she wrote and directed, staying true to her authentic voice and her passion for storytelling,” said Cameron Bailey, TIFF co-head and artistic director, in a statement. “She has an exciting future ahead and is paving a path for a new generation of filmmakers.”

The festival also confirmed that Grammy winner and music icon Dionne Warwick will receive a Special Tribute Award. Previously confirmed honourees for this year’s TIFF Tribute Awards include Denis Villeneuve (TIFF Ebert Director Award), Alanis Obamsawin (Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media), Jessica Chastain and Benedict Cumberbatch (TIFF Tribute Actor Award).

The TIFF Tribute Awards will be hosted by eTalk‘s Tyrone Edwards and Chloe Wilde, with additional presenters to be announced at a later date.

Photo by Samuel Engelking