First presented in 1982 as the CFTO International Critics' Prize,[1] the award was voted by all media attending the festival, and could be presented annually to one film, two films or one film with an honorable mention. In 1992, FIPRESCI launched an award at the festival to honour the best film by a first-time director, as selected by an appointed jury of eight international film critics, while the original International Critics' Prize was renamed the Metro Media Award, and continued to be voted on by all accredited media who were not on the FIPRESCI jury.[2]
The Metro Media Award was discontinued after 1998, and replaced with the Discovery Award, which continued to be voted on by all accredited media. In 2008, the awards were modified to present two FIPRESCI awards, one each for films in the festival's Discovery and Special Presentations streams; a media-voted Discovery award was still presented that year alongside the FIPRESCI Discovery award, but was discontinued thereafter.
Since 2020, only a single FIPRESCI Prize winner has been named each year.
^ abJay Scott, "Ending on a negative note: Censor board accused of 'attempting to destroy festival'". The Globe and Mail, September 20, 1982.
^ abcChristopher Harris, "Enough films to send the mind reeling 335 titles in Festival of Festivals lineup (so far)". The Globe and Mail, August 26, 1992.
^ abShlomo Schwartzberg, "Naked dons 'Best Film' mantle: Receipts up as Toronto film fest calls it a wrap". Financial Post, September 21, 1993.
^ abChristopher Harris, "Live Bait snags Canadian award". The Globe and Mail, September 18, 1995.
^ abSid Adilman, "Journey gets top filmfest award". Toronto Star, September 16, 1996.
^ abCraig MacInnis, "Two share Canadian feature film award: The Sweet Hereafter, The Hanging Garden tie at Toronto Festival". Ottawa Citizen, September 15, 1997.
^ abPeter Howell, "Toronto International Film Festival Prize goes Hollywood ; American Beauty wins top award as annual blowout calls it a wrap". Toronto Star, September 20, 1999.
^ abJohn McKay, "Crouching Tiger choice of the people: Toronto film fest hands out awards at brunch". Halifax Daily News, September 18, 2000.
^ ab"Inuit film wins festival prize; Fast Runner named best Canadian entry at subdued closing ceremonies". Waterloo Region Record, September 17, 2001.
^ ab"Cronenberg the big winner". Guelph Mercury, September 17, 2002.
^ abJohn McKay, "Barbarian Invasions wins at film fest". Kingston Whig-Standard, September 15, 2003.
^ ab"Genocide tale Toronto people's choice winner". North Bay Nugget, September 20, 2004.
^ ab"South African drama is people's choice at TIFF". The Globe and Mail, September 19, 2005.
^ abChris Knight, "TIFF train pulls out of station: Audience awards". National Post, September 18, 2006.
^ abMark Medley, "Cronenberg film wins top TIFF prize". National Post, September 17, 2007.
^ abLiam Lacey, "Did Hollywood save the best for later?". The Globe and Mail, September 15, 2008.
^Liam Lacey, "Precious looks golden after People's Choice win". The Globe and Mail, September 21, 2009.
^Bruce Kirkland, "King's Speech people's pick ; George VI drama takes Cadillac award at Toronto filmfest closing celebration". Toronto Sun, September 20, 2010.
^Chris Knight, "Lebanese film wins TIFF's top prize; Starbuck is People's Choice runner-up". National Post, September 19, 2011.
^Peter Howell, "Silver Linings Playbook writes surprise TIFF ending". Toronto Star, September 17, 2012.
^Cassandra Szklarski, "12 Years a Slave fan fav at TIFF". Prince George Citizen, September 16, 2013.
^Bruce Kirkland, "GAME ON! ; Benedict Cumberbatch film takes audience prize at TIFF". Toronto Sun, February 15, 2014.