After six days packed with 25 films, countless cups of coffee, and enough visits to the local Mr. Sub to be considered a regular, it’s finally time to head out of Canada like a maple leaf caught in a gust.

This year’s Toronto International Film Festival has been a triumph, showcasing numerous big names in impressive projects that will surely make waves as we approach the Oscars. Following Cannes and Venice—and just before New York—Toronto serves as a key player during awards season, with many genuine contenders making a stop before the climactic push at year-end. Even JLo made an appearance! “The Boss” was around too! After watching scores of films and engaging in celebrity-filled Q&As, I can’t wait to see which projects gain momentum for the Academy Awards and keep you informed about what to catch for yourself.

Here are my top picks from this year’s festival:

‘Conclave’ and ‘The Life of Chuck’ Lead the Pack

One of my favorite activities at film festivals is to maintain a list of everything I watch. (And believe me, it’s a lengthy one. I’m just a huge movie fan!) The highlight of my Toronto ’24 experience is “Conclave,” a gripping thriller starring Ralph Fiennes as a frazzled cardinal. This film merges the suspense of a courtroom drama with elements of a detective story and a political thriller. Plus, it features a stellar supporting cast, including John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci, and Isabella Rossellini. While I can’t predict the Oscars like some fortune teller, I believe “Conclave” has an excellent chance at snagging the best picture award.

My runner-up? “The Life of Chuck,” directed by Mike Flanagan and beautifully capturing the unique qualities and emotional depth of the remarkable Stephen King novella. This backwards character study follows an unremarkable accountant (played by Tom Hiddleston) and includes apocalyptic events, extravagant dance scenes, and an eerie attic.

Actresses Transform in Fascinating Ways

This year’s TIFF featured a rich array of remarkable transformations by actresses. For instance, Amy Adams takes on the role of a mother who thinks she’s morphing into a dog in “Nightbitch.” Meanwhile, Demi Moore explores body-horror themes in the captivating “The Substance.” Alongside them, Alicia Vikander in “The Assessment” and Pamela Anderson in “The Last Showgirl” are also noteworthy contenders who may be in the running for the best actress Oscar.

Sebastian Stan’s Take on Donald Trump

A surprise screening of the Donald Trump biopic “The Apprentice” took place, and it’s bound to provoke a reaction from the former president. The film stars Sebastian Stan as a young Trump and Jeremy Strong as his advisor Roy Cohn, delivering captivating performances that explore their character arcs.

Bruce Springsteen Shares Insights on Being ‘The Boss’ of the E Street Band

Unlike some of my peers, I have never had the chance to see Bruce Springsteen live. That changed at the premiere of his new Hulu documentary, “Road Diary,” where I spotted him sitting just a few rows ahead of me in the theater. It was pretty exciting to watch him groove along to “Glory Days” before the film kicked off. This documentary provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse into the E Street Band’s recent world tour and offers insight into how Springsteen manages his role as band leader while reflecting on aging and mortality as a rock icon still full of life. He remarked, “We have the only job in the world where the people you went to high school with, at 75, you’re still with those people.”