Initially , the film was set up with Universal , but fell through due to script and budget problems . It was first publicly shown on August 3 , 2012 , at the American Cinematheque in 70 mm and screened variously in the same way , before officially premiering at the Venice Film Festival on September 1 , where it won the FIPRESCI Award for Best Film . It was released in theaters on September 14 , 2012 , in the United States to critical acclaim , with its acting , screenplay , direction , plausibility , and realistic portrayal of post-World War II Americans praised . It further received three Academy Award nominations : Best Actor for Phoenix , Best Supporting Actor for Hoffman , and Best Supporting Actress for Adams . In 2016 , '' The Master '' was voted the 24th greatest film of the 21st century by 177 critics from around the world . Anderson has repeatedly claimed that '' The Master '' is his favorite film that he has made to date
Venice Film Festival
69th Venice International Film Festival
The Master (2012 film)