The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has come to a close with the announcement of the annual awards and reports of more films finding distribution.
The coveted FIPRESCI Prize from the International Federation of Film Critics went to Shawn Ku’s drama Beautiful Boy, starring Michael Sheen and Maria Bello, which was picked up for distribution by Anchor Bay last week. The Cadillac People’s Choice Award went to Tom Hooper’s The King’s Speech, which is already generating Oscar buzz for its stars, Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush, while Jim Mickle’s vampire Apocalypse flick Stake Land received the People’s Choice Midnight Madness award. (You can read our set report for the film on ShockTillYouDrop.com.)
Deadline reports that Beginners, the new movie from Mike Mills (Thumbsucker) starring Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer, was the first festival purchase for Focus Features, who picked up the worldwide distribution rights. The film’s about a man distracted from a new relationship by the memory of his late parents, including his closeted gay father.
UPDATE: Deadline is now reporting that Mitch Glazer’s Passion Play starring Mickey Rourke and Megan Fox, has been picked up by Image Entertainment for a 7-figure-deal.
Earlier today, Oscilloscope Laboratories announced that they will distribute Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale, a dark comedy from Finland’s Jalmari Helander involving an archaeological dig that uncovers a Santa Clause who turns out to be evil. Oscilloscope also picked up Kelly Reichardt’s Meek’s Cutoff, her follow-up to Wendy and Lucy also starring Michelle Williams.
Yesterday, Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions picked up Dan Rush’s indie dramedy Everything Must Go starring Will Ferrell and Rebecca Hall with plans for a Spring 2011 release. In the movie based on a story by Raymond Carver, Ferrell plays a man who loses his job and is locked out of the house by his wife. It’s their second joint purchase at the festival after Robert Redford’s historic drama The Conspirator.
It’s been said that this has been a record year for film sales at TIFF.
Look for our own wrap-up of the festival sometime tomorrow.
