Philomena is a 2013 British drama film directed by Stephen Frears , based on the book The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by journalist Martin Sixsmith . The film was co-produced in the United States and the United Kingdom . It gained critical acclaim and received several international film awards . It was also awarded the People 's Choice Award Runner-Up prize at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival . The film was nominated in four categories at the 86th Academy Awards : Best Picture , Best Adapted Screenplay for Coogan and Pope , Best Actress for Dench , and Best Original Score for Desplat .
Philomena is a TV show.