Winnipegger Matthew Rankin wins award at TIFF

Director Matthew Rankin poses for a photograph in Montreal, ahead of the screening of his latest film, "Ladies and Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney," at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival, on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

The latest film from a Winnipeg director has taken home an award at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Matthew Rankin’s latest, “Ladies and Gentleman, Brian Mulroney,” won the TIFF Midnight Madness People’s Choice Award, the festival announced on Sunday.

The film uses a collage of archival footage to tell the story of Mulroney’s rise in politics to become Canada’s prime minister, according to TIFF’s website.

Rankin’s previous film, “Universal Language,” was showcased at the 2024 edition of TIFF and was Canada’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 2025 Academy Awards.

Midnight Madness is the section of the Toronto International Film Festival focused on genre films and underground cinema.