The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has named Lloyd Lee Choi (pictured) as the winner of the 2025 TIFF-CBC Films Screenwriter Award for his screenplay Yakult Ajumma.

For winning, The Brooklyn-based, Canadian-Korean filmmaker (pictured) will receive a prize of $15,000, support from a script consultant and access to the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and TIFF Industry Conference.

Yakult Ajumma was also selected for The Sundance Institute’s NHK Award for this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

“Lloyd Lee Choi’s Yakult Ajumma captivated the jury with its poignant exploration of identity, resilience, and motherhood. Through deeply empathetic storytelling and masterful character work,” said the jury in a statement. “Yakult Ajumma is a moving and timely story that celebrates the quiet strength and unexpected joy found in everyday lives — a bold contribution to the landscape of Canadian cinema.”

This year’s jury comprises Mekhala Chaubal, legal counsel at CBC/Radio-Canada; Gosia Kamela, head of CBC Films; Jane Kim, TIFF Industry programming producer; Barbara Mamabolo, executive in charge of current production, drama, CBC; and Kim Nguyen, filmmaker and producer.

Choi was previously lauded by TIFF for his Cannes-premiered short film Same Old, which was selected for TIFF’s Canada’s Top Ten in 2022.

Choi will have his first feature Lucky Lu, an adaptation of his short Same Old, premiere at this year’s Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes. The film is produced by U.S. prodcos Hisako Films and Significant Productions.

Photo by Anne Stewart