Clement Virgo’s coming-of-age film Brother, David Cronenberg’s sci-fi thriller Crimes of the Future and Anthony Shim’s drama Riceboy Sleeps are in the running for the Rogers Best Canadian Feature Award from the Toronto Film Critics Association (TFCA).

The organization announced the finalists for the prize, along with winners of its 26th annual TFCA awards in 11 categories, after its members voted on the honours at a meeting on Sunday (Jan. 8).

Brother (pictured; Conquering Lion Pictures, Hawkeye Pictures) is written, directed and produced by Virgo, with Toronto’s Elevation Pictures handling Canadian distribution. Cronenberg wrote and directed Crimes of the Future (Serendipity Point Films), which is produced by Robert Lantos and distributed in Canada by Montreal and Toronto-based Sphere Films. Shim wrote, directed, produced, and edited Riceboy Sleeps (Lonesome Heroes Productions), with Toronto’s Game Theory Films holding Canadian theatrical distribution rights.

The winner of the best Canadian feature award will be named at the TFCA Awards Gala, which will take place at the Omni King Edward Hotel in Toronto on March 6. The film will receive cash prize of $100,000. The runners-up will each receive $5,000.

Meanwhile, Charlotte Wells’ Aftersun racked up the most wins with four trophies, including Best Picture, as well as best director, actor and first feature. The film had its North American premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.

Everything Everywhere All at Once, directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, won Best Supporting Actor for Ke Huy Quan. All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, directed by Laura Poitras, received the Allan King Documentary Award.

Chinese-born Canadian animator and filmmaker Domee Shi’s Turning Red for Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios secured Best Animated Feature, while French legal drama Saint Omer, directed by Alice Diop, took home Best International Feature.

Other winners include Jordan Peele’s Nope for Best Supporting Actress for Keke Palmer and Todd Field’s Tár for Best Actress for Cate Blanchett; and Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees of Inisherin for Best Screenplay, Original or Adapted.

The Company 3 TFCA Luminary Award winner will be announced in early February, according to a spokesperson for the TFCA. The emerging filmmaker who receives the $50,000 pay-it-forward portion of the prize will be named at the gala. The winner of the Stella Artois prize will be presented with a $10,000 cash prize at the gala.

Photo by Guy Godfree, courtesy of Elevation Pictures