'' Philomena '' is a 2013 comedy-drama film directed by Stephen Frears , based on the book '' The Lost Child of Philomena Lee '' by journalist Martin Sixsmith . Starring Judi Dench and Steve Coogan , it tells the true story of Philomena Lee 's 50-year search for her forcibly adopted son and Sixsmith 's efforts to help her find him . It gained critical acclaim and received several international film awards . Coogan and Jeff Pope won Best Screenplay at the 70th Venice International Film Festival . It was also awarded the People 's Choice Award Runner-Up prize at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival
70th Venice International Film Festival
70th Venice International Film Festival
Philomena (film)