IRISH director Lenny Abrahamson’s new movie Room received the coveted People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday.
The film – loosely inspired by the real-life case of Josef Fritzl – scooped the top prize, and is now tipped for Oscar success at next year’s Academy Awards.
Room is based on the best-selling 2010 novel by Irish-Canadian author Emma Donoghue.
The book tells the story of five-year-old Jack (Jacob Tremblay) who, along with his mother (Brie Larson), is held captive for seven years before they devise a bold escape plan.
Abrahamson has previously received widespread acclaim for his films Frank, Garage and What Richard Did.
He shared his delight on Twitter after his film was awarded and added that he "nearly fell of the bed" when he saw the list of past winners that include 12 Years A Slave, The King’s Speech, and Slumdog Millionaire.
This just announced. Amazing news for the film and for the brilliant people who made it possible. https://t.co/F0ledj64fR
— lenny abrahamson (@lennyabrahamson) September 20, 2015
Room will be screened at the London Film Festival on October 11 and will be released in Britain on January 29.
