Every awards season, pundits leave themselves open to late-year breakers. This is where a film not necessarily on anyone’s radar comes in and walks away with the industry’s most coveted prize for best picture. Past examples include Clint Eastwood’s 2004 winner “Million Dollar Baby.” Now, and coming only days after I declared “American Fiction” from Cord Jefferson my favorite film of TIFF so far, DuVernay cinematically states, “Hold my beer” with her emotional drama “Origin.”

Within the awards punditry world, it’s increasingly been agreed upon that director Christopher Nolan is in the pole position to win his first statuette for directing “Oppenheimer.” However, DuVernay emerges after bowing at Venice, and now at TIFF, as a viable challenger for the crown. In addition, her leading lady Anjanue Ellis-Taylor is a sure-fire contender for best actress.