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Spielberg’s film The Fabelmans was immediately loved by audiences.

Legendary film director Steven Spielberg is known best for his blockbuster epics like Jaws and Jurassic Park. However, he also more than capable of more intimate, emotional pictures, Schindler’s List and West Side Story. At the currently-running Toronto International Film Festival, Spielberg has proven that he’s capable of making a truly touching, personal film, especially if the audience reaction is any indication.

Spielberg’s new picture, The Fabelmans, has won the People’s Choice award at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film tells the story of a teenage boy coming to terms with his parents’ crumbling marriage, set against the backdrop of the American midwest in the 1960s. Spielberg has noted that the film is at least partially autobiographical, which is why he was so happy about the positive reception it received by the audiences of the Toronto International Film Festival who are the ones that vote on the People’s Choice award.

“This is the most personal film I’ve ever made, and the warm reception from everyone in Toronto made my first visit to [the Toronto film festival] so intimate and personal … and a very special thank you to all the movie fans in Toronto who have made this past weekend one I’ll never forget,” Spielberg said.

Spielberg’s The Fabelmans wins Toronto film festival People’s Choice award https://t.co/J8QIByMGAa

— The Guardian (@guardian) September 19, 2022

Not only is this victory impressive in its own right, but it has film analysts monitoring the film with a critical eye. In the past, winners of the People’s Choice award at the Toronto Film Festival have often gone on to have whirlwind success on the award circuit, which means another Oscar could be within Spielberg’s reach.