Claim: Judi Dench acted in Philomena.

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 . 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 . The film was co-produced in the United States and the United Kingdom . 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 .   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 . It was also nominated for four BAFTA Awards and three Golden Globe Awards .