Award Season is well underway and the Toronto Film Critics Association is the latest group to hand out prizes for their picks for the best movies of the past year.

Carol, the romantic drama starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, was named Best Film and the president of the TFCA says it was a tough choice.

“What a weird year when critics are divided between Carol and Mad Max,”; admits Brian D. Johnson.

“You couldn’t find two more different films if you scoured the planet…Mad Max is all action and Carol is basically about two women waiting to get some action!”; he exclaims.

The director of Carol, Todd Haynes, was also named best director by the TFCA.

The choices the critics make could indeed have sway as the industry’s top awards are still being decided.  TIFF Creative Director Cameron Bailey shared some insight on whom he thinks should take home some hardware this year. Watch below.

On a mobile device? Watch here.

“I think the Academy voters, the Golden globe voters for sure pay attention,”; says Piers Handling, the director and CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival. “When a number of the critics associations across America manage to gather around one or two films then I think everyone pays attention.”;

The TFCA also has a category that honours the top Canadian film. The Rogers Best Canadian Film Award also comes with a $100,000 prize.

This year’s winner is The Forbidden Room. It’s a surreal and epic cinematic journey  from veteran filmmaker Guy Maddin and his co-director Evan Johnson.

“It’s nice that some critics have decided that they like it so I’m thrilled,”; says Maddin.

Before the awards he admitted to us he wasn’t sure if he’d win the top prize. “I have no self-knowledge and I think I’ll be okay if we lose but what I really fear is that I’m not going to be okay,”; he laughs.

He clearly had nothing to worry about. His film beat out Andrew Cividino’s Sleeping Giant and Philippe Falardeau’s My Internship in Canada. 

As to what Maddin and Johnson will do with the money – easy. If it weren’t for credit card debt,  Maddin jokes, he would bring an NFL franchise to Winnipeg or buy a yacht. While Johnson says the money will go to rent and clothing his son.

Watch Sarah Gadon explain why the night is one wild party below.

On a mobile device? Watch here.