A Spanish-language film has just won the biggest prize at the Toronto International Film Festival — and history suggests an Oscar nomination could be next.

“La Bola Negra,” directed by Spanish filmmakers Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, better known together as Los Javis, was named the winner of TIFF’s prestigious People’s Choice Award on Sunday, September 20.

Unlike many major film-festival prizes, TIFF’s top award isn’t selected by a jury.

It’s chosen by the audience.

That means Toronto moviegoers themselves voted “La Bola Negra” their favourite film of the 2026 festival.

And that vote could have major implications for awards season.

TIFF Has Become an Oscar Predictor

Winning the People’s Choice Award in Toronto has become one of the strongest early indicators of potential Academy Awards success.

Since 2012, all but one TIFF People’s Choice winner has gone on to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.

Previous winners have included eventual Best Picture Oscar winners such as “Green Book” and “Nomadland.”

Now, “La Bola Negra” joins that prestigious list.

The victory is particularly significant because it is the first non-English-language film to win TIFF’s People’s Choice Award since 2011.

A Spanish Story Spanning Generations

“La Bola Negra” follows the interconnected lives of three gay men across different periods of Spanish history.

The film explores identity, sexuality, repression and the struggle to live authentically, moving between different generations and periods in Spain.

The project is also connected to the legacy of Federico García Lorca, one of Spain’s most celebrated writers and poets, who was killed during the Spanish Civil War.

For directors Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, the Toronto victory continues what has already been a remarkable festival run.

From Cannes to Toronto

Before arriving in Toronto, “La Bola Negra” made waves at the Cannes Film Festival, where Calvo and Ambrossi shared the Best Director award.

Then came Toronto.

The film premiered at TIFF on September 15 at the Princess of Wales Theatre before ultimately winning over festival audiences and taking home the People’s Choice Award five days later.

Netflix has acquired the film and is expected to mount a significant awards campaign.

The movie is scheduled to arrive in theatres on October 16 before beginning its Netflix release on December 2.

Toronto Audiences Pick Their Favourite

“La Bola Negra” faced plenty of competition for TIFF’s top audience prize.

“I Play Rocky,” Peter Farrelly’s film about the making of the original “Rocky,” finished as the first runner-up.

“Being Heumann,” directed by Siân Heder and based on the life of disability-rights activist Judy Heumann, finished second runner-up.

But when Toronto audiences cast their votes, it was the Spanish-language film that came out on top.

A Big Moment for Spanish-Language Cinema

For Spanish-language cinema, the victory carries additional significance.

Films made outside the English-language Hollywood system have increasingly become major contenders during awards season, and “La Bola Negra” now has one of the most important early awards-season victories behind it.

Of course, winning TIFF doesn’t guarantee an Oscar nomination.

But history suggests the Academy will be paying attention.

From Cannes to Toronto and potentially Hollywood next, “La Bola Negra” is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about international films of the year.

And its latest chapter was written right here in Toronto.