The Oscars race is intensely competitive this year, and the question of which film will win the coveted TIFF Audience Award is just as uncertain.

With A-list stars like Selena Gomez and Angelina Jolie alongside rising talents like Mikey Madison and Gabriel LaBelle, the 49th annual Toronto International Film Festival concludes on Sunday, wrapping up a ten-day run of 278 screenings. Following Pedro Almodóvar’s stunning melodrama, “The Room Next Door,” which garnered the Golden Lion at Venice , attention turns to the Canadian festival to see which film will receive a significant boost early in the best picture race.

While some films here scream awards potential, others are destined only for commercial success, while others are just blips in the massive lineup. Below are potential awards contenders from other films screened at the festival and Variety’s predictions on which film will win the TIFF Audience Award on Sunday, Sept. 15.

Read: You can see all Academy Award predictions in all 23 categories on one page on the Variety Awards Circuit: Oscars .

“The Wild Robot” launches DreamWorks Animation’s 30th anniversary and a best picture campaign.

Chris Sanders’ animated sci-fi adventure, “The Wild Robot,” is already hailed as one of the best films in DreamWorks Animation’s 30-year history. Featuring a stellar voice cast — Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Catherine O’Hara and Bill Nighy — the film will hopefully reignite discussions about the SAG Awards eligibility for animated films competing in the best cast ensemble category.

Historically, only three animated films — “Beauty and the Beast,” “Up” and “Toy Story 3” — have ever been nominated for best picture, all Disney productions. Recent acclaimed animated films like Netflix’s “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” and Sony’s “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” didn't receive best picture nominations. However, “The Wild Robot” has the potential to change that trend, particularly in categories like adapted screenplay and technical awards such as score and original song. Composer Kris Bowers, fresh off an Oscar win for the live action short “The Last Repair Shop” (2023), has delivered his finest work. The film’s standout original song, “Kiss the Sky,” might also attract the attention of the Music Branch.

Fernanda Torres could make history with “I’m Still Here. ”

Brazilian legend Fernanda Montenegro was the first Latina nominated for best actress for “Central Station” (1998). Now, her daughter, Fernanda Torres, has a chance to make history with her powerful performance in Walter Salles’ political drama, “I’m Still Here.” If nominated, she would become the first second-generation Latina acting nominee in Oscars history. Distributed by Sony Pictures Classics, Torres’ dedicated portrayal of a woman desperately searching for a husband after being wronged by a corrupt government, the film is set to be a contender in the international feature race. At the same time, Torres aims to break into the competitive best actress category.

It’s worth noting that Montenegro appears in the film as an older version of her daughter’s character. Without uttering a word, the 94-year-old delivers a heart-wrenching performance using only her expressive eyes. Wouldn’t it be remarkable if she made history as the first Latina to receive a second Oscar nomination? (A truly staggering statistic.)

Latvia’s “Flow” is a silent animated movie that can also vie for best international feature.

Last year, Pablo Berger’s dialogue-free “Robot Dreams” made a surprise appearance at the Oscars, and this year, another silent animated feature is gaining traction: Gints Zilbalodis’ “Flow.” This whimsical and heartwarming film, about a cat surviving a post-apocalyptic flood, is Latvia’s official submission for best international feature, which could put it in the running for both categories. Janus Films and Sideshow acquired it after its success at the Annecy Film Festival, and it’s quickly gaining momentum.

Alfonso Cuarón’s “Disclaimer” sets its sights on Emmys 2025.

While “Disclaimer” isn’t a film, it has garnered significant buzz at TIFF following its debut at Venice and Telluride. Alfonso Cuarón’s psychological thriller miniseries starring Cate Blanchett, about a journalist who discovers she’s a character in someone else’s novel, premieres on Apple TV+ on Oct. 11. Early reactions suggest it’s already a strong contender for next year’s Emmys. Let’s get through this weekend’s ceremony first.

Barry Keoghan and Nykiya Adams take flight with “Bird.”

Andrea Arnold’s “Bird” stars Oscar nominee Barry Keoghan (“The Banshees of Inisherin”) as a father struggling with his responsibilities, alongside Franz Rogowski and newcomer Nykiya Adams. While the film might be too niche for significant Oscar recognition, it’s a likely contender at the Indie Spirit Awards. Mubi, the distributor, hopes the movie gains momentum as it progresses through the festival circuit . I believe with a renowned cinematographer like Robbie Ryan behind the camera, best cinematography could be a category where the film could find some success.

Jamie Lee Curtis steals the show in “The Last Showgirl. ”

Following her Emmy win for FX’s “The Bear,” Academy Award winner Jamie Lee Curtis (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”) is back in the spotlight for her remarkable performance in Gia Coppola’s drama “The Last Showgirl.” Curtis portrays Annette, a bold cocktail waitress, in a scene-stealing moment involving a dance to “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” which is reminiscent of the dramatic impact Matthew McConaughey had in “Magic Mike.”

The film, which also features Pamela Anderson , Dave Bautista and Billie Lourd, is still seeking a distributor but is expected to secure one. It will likely be released in 2025.

Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh have beautiful awards chemistry in “We Live in Time.”

Two gorgeous actors in love for two hours? Sign us up.

Directed by John Crowley (“Brooklyn”), “We Live in Time” is a heart-wrenching film starring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh as star-crossed lovers where one of them battles cancer. While romantic dramas like “The Notebook” and “A Walk to Remember” rarely achieve significant Oscar recognition, Garfield and Pugh’s undeniable chemistry and previous Oscar nominations could be the film’s strongest chance at recognition. A24 is banking on the duo’s star power to make this a box-office success, which seems highly likely, considering the positive reaction from the audience to their love scenes.

Which movies could win/will win the coveted TIFF People’s Choice Award?

Since the Oscars expanded the best picture field in 2009, TIFF Audience Award winners have become reliable indicators of Oscar success. Films like “Green Book” (2018) and “Nomadland” (2020) went on to win best picture. Only one TIFF winner has failed to receive a best picture nomination, “Where Do We Go Now?” (2011), and one that didn’t win at least one Oscar award, “The Fabelmans” (2022).

So, which film will take home the TIFF People’s Choice Award this year? The winner often comes down to three key factors: the number of screenings, audience size, and the timing of showings.

The festival’s most talked-about films are Palme d’Or winner “ Anora ” (Neon), Netflix’s musical sensation “Emilia Pérez” and the body horror thriller “The Substance” (Mubi). Jason Reitman’s crowd-pleasing “ Saturday Night ” also generated buzz for its mainstream appeal, but it premiered on Tuesday at the festival, which doesn’t allow attendees much time to see it. The same goes for Malcolm Washington’s directorial debut, “The Piano Lesson,” with John David Washington and Danielle Deadwyler.

There are ardent Almodovar fans , but how many are enthusiastic about his latest offering, “The Room Next Door,” with Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton, is unclear.

Despite receiving significant acclaim, Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist,” which was acquired by A24, may be at a disadvantage with its extensive 215-minute runtime and limited public screenings.

Few world premieres are contenders for the coveted prize: “The Wild Robot” from DreamWorks Animation and Rachel Morrison’s “The Fire Inside” (Amazon MGM); both films garnered rave reviews and have broad audience appeal. Also in the running is “Unstoppable,” directed by Oscar-winning editor William Goldenberg (“Argo”), which has been receiving positive feedback.

The TIFF People’s Choice Award can significantly influence the Oscar race. Here are the top 10 movies that might take the title.

Rank	Film
1	“ Anora ” (Neon)
2	“ Emilia Pérez ” (Netflix)
3	“ Saturday Night ” (Sony Pictures)
4	“ The Wild Robot ” (DreamWorks Animation)
5	“ The Substance ” (Mubi)
6	“ The Fire Inside ” (Amazon MGM)
7	“ The Room Next Door ” (Sony Pictures Classics)
8	“ The Brutalist ” (A24)
9	“ I’m Still Here ” (Sony Pictures Classics)
10	“ The Piano Lesson ” (Netflix)