The film Room, directed by Lenny Abrahamson, has won the People’s Choice Award at TIFF as the annual festival wrapped up this past weekend – the movie is based on the novel by the same name written by Canadian Emma Donoghue.
“We shot this film in Toronto and it’s incredible that this happened,” said Room producer David Gross to CBC News. “I know it’s rare… that a Canadian film actually wins this award.”
Festival director Piers Handling said the balloting on the prize was “very, very close,” adding, “Room kind of ignited audiences,” he said. “I think it’s a very serious film but it’s a very emotional film.”
The People’s Choice Documentary Award went to Winter On Fire: Ukraine’s Fight For Freedom, and the People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award was given to Hardcore.
TIFF ran from September 10-20 and saw some of the world’s biggest stars descend on downtown TO.
