MOVIE NEWS – The Hamnet premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival was met with resounding acclaim, solidifying the event’s reputation as the launchpad for Oscar hopefuls. Chloe Zhao’s film won the festival’s top award for best feature – the same honor she claimed five years ago with Nomadland, which went on to secure three Academy Awards, including two personally for Zhao as Best Director and Producer.

Based on Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel, Hamnet portrays a heartbreaking chapter in William Shakespeare’s life. After the playwright and his wife lose their young son, Hamnet, the grief becomes the spark that inspires Shakespeare to create the greatest work of his career. Critics have hailed the film as a masterpiece, making it not only a festival triumph but also a serious contender in the upcoming Oscar season.

Focus Features, the studio behind Hamnet, looks poised for a strong awards year, as it also produced Bugonia, another film already generating serious buzz. Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, the biting satire is tipped by insiders as a potential nominee in as many as five categories, including Best Picture. With both titles under its belt, Focus – part of Universal Studios – may finally be on the path to securing its first-ever Academy Award.

(Bugonia – Hungarian release: November 6, 2025)

(Hamnet – Hungarian release: January 22, 2026)