“12 Years a Slave,” has won the audience award at the Toronto International Film Festival, building Oscar momentum for Steve McQueen’s unblinking portrait of slavery in 1840s America.
McQueen’s film beat out first runner-up “Philomena,” directed by fellow Brit Stephen Frears, and second runner-up “Prisoners,” directed by Quebec’s Denis Villeneuve.
Following the announcement Sunday, festival head Piers Handling suggested this was the beginning of many prestigious accolades for the sweeping drama.
“The King’s Speech,” ”Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire” and “Slumdog Millionaire” all went on to multiple Academy Award nominations and wins after being crowned most popular in Toronto.
Every best picture winner since 2007 has played at the 11-day Toronto International Film Festival, which wrapped up Sunday.
Directors Amy+Pilar and Jose Antonio Prat Join Reform School
Boutique content production company Reform has added comedy directing duo Amy+Pilar (Amy York Rubin and Pilar Boehm) and award-winning multicultural director Jose Antonio Prat to its roster for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded entertainment.
Partners in both life and art, Amy+Pilar are know for their sharp wit and comedic timing. Their synchronicity is evident in a body of work across TV, film and commercials. Prior to joining Reform School, Amy+Pilar had been repped in the ad market by production company Knucklehead.
Amy has directed high-profile comedy sketches featuring stars like Amy Schumer, Kate McKinnon, and Sarah Silverman. On the episodic front, Amy has helmed for series such as Fresh Off the Boat, Casual, Superstore and Angie Tribeca--as well as the pilot for the hit Netflix comedy Dead to Me.
Before joining forces with Amy behind the camera, Pilar was a psychotherapist, a background that informs her ability to create fascinating characters and stage irresistible, nuanced performances. Amy and Pilar’s shared passion for comedy brought them together. Their collaboration began with a Synchrony Bank campaign, starring cult-comedy favorite Maribeth Monroe (Workaholics), and they went on to direct the pilot of the Hulu series Love, Victor. Amy+Pilar’s ad fare also includes spots for Uber’s “Go-Get” campaign and “Shift,” starring Martin Starr.
“We have been fans of Amy and Pilar for a long time,” said Ryan Ennis, executive director at Reform School. “They excel at capturing comedic performances and dialogue. Coming from the TV and L.A. comedy scenes, they’ve built a strong following and collaborated with some of our favorite funny people.... Read More