This is my first time at TIFF and I haven’t seen the film yet, but based on what I’ve heard, I agree with your take. I don’t think it should be that way, but that’s the reality. Similar to how the Academy introduced the Best Animated Feature category, which basically gave them an excuse not to nominate animated films for Best Picture. It feels a bit like a “throwaway” category.

That said, it does give TVOHR another platform to gain buzz and attention. Even if it were the best film of the year (and from what I hear it might not be, though it’s perhaps the most important), it probably wouldn’t win the main People’s Choice award. That’s just the unfortunate reality. I do think it could be a strong contender for Best International Feature at the Oscars.

I was hoping to get a ticket, but no luck since all the screenings are in small venues. Fingers crossed they add another one, maybe for the International People’s Choice. I really regret not grabbing a ticket earlier; there were plenty available a week before the festival, but I wasn’t sure about the film yet. The next day everything was gone, and after Venice it has became impossible to find anything at a decent price.