"La La Land" won the top prize at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday, giving it a leg up on the competition as the Oscars race is starting to take shape. The musical tale of star-crossed lovers chasing their dreams in Hollywood stars Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.

The musical tale of star-crossed lovers chasing their dreams in Hollywood stars Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.

The People's Choice Award, chosen by the votes of audience members, makes "La La Land" an early front-runner in the Oscar race for best picture. Other recent winners of the Toronto prize have gone on to win the top Oscar, such as "Slumdog Millionaire", "The King's Speech" and "12 Years a Slave".

"La La Land" is from 31-year-old writer-director Damien Chazelle, who made a splash with his 2014 film "Whiplash", an intense study of a jazz drummer's quest to perfection. That film won three Oscars.

"Getting to even make this movie was a dream come true. To see it connect with Toronto audiences in this way is deeply gratifying," said Damien Chazelle, writer/director, "La La Land".

Now in its 41st year, the Toronto International Film Festival ranks with Cannes and Sundance as one of the world's top movie gatherings. The sprawling festival, with more than 400 films screened, often serves as a launch pad for films and performances for the awards season that culminates with the Oscars.

Other films honored at the ceremony include Toronto Platform Prize winner "Jackie".  Directed by Pablo Larrain, it's a portrayal of Jacqueline Kennedy in the aftermath of the assassination of her husband, U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

The People's Choice Award for top documentary went to "I Am Not Your Negro" by Raoul Peck, which examines what it means to be black in the United States.

The People's Choice Award for top film in the Midnight Madness program, which often showcases horror and offbeat films, went to "Free Fire" by Ben Wheatley, which sees two groups of criminals in an arms deal gone wrong.