Jacob Tremblay returns to TIFF, a year after winning Hollywood's hearts

What a year it’s been for Jacob Tremblay.

The precocious actor made his film debut last year, at 8 years old, with the awards darling Room, which gained attention at the Toronto International Film Festival after its world premiere at Telluride. After the movie’s Toronto screening, Tremblay stood next to Oscar-winner Brie Larson and director Lenny Jacobson on stage during the Q&A session, donning a gray suit.

Tremblay became one of the most celebrated actors of awards season. He won the Critics’ Choice Award for best young actor and marked the victory to “Uptown Funk” with an Oscar Isaac-like zeal. He recognized Room‘s Oscar nominations with a pitch-perfect photo. He freaked out seeing R2-D2 and C-3PO on the Academy Awards stage. His dad became an internet sensation. A lot has happened.

And now he’s going to Toronto, looking ready to take on middle school a couple years early.

Why is Tremblay dressed up again, less than a month before he hits the big 1-0? The action-adventure family comedy Burn Your Maps debuted at TIFF; the film sees the young Tremblay convincing his parents (Vera Farmiga, Marton Csokas) to embark on a Mongolian journey to help him find his true calling. Tremblay is also starring as a kid who must be saved by psychologist (Naomi Watts) before disappearing forever in November’s terrifying Shut In.