Taika Waititi has been recognised at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), taking out the prestigious Ebert Director Award.
It comes after the world premiere of his newest film Jojo Rabbit, which is billed as an "anti-hate satire", focusing on a young German boy, Jojo, and his imaginary best friend Adolf Hitler, played by Waititi, during the last days of World War II.
"This is a huge honour," Waititi said in his acceptance speech.
The Kiwi filmmaker had been described as "the rock star cinema needs right now" by TIFF bosses.
Waititi said directing wasn't "on his list of job opportunities", telling the audience he "went on the dole" when he left high school.
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Waititi was recently confirmed as writer and director on Thor: Love and Thunder, which Marvel plans to release in 2021.
Although Waititi received the first Ebert Director Award, the honour was an "evolution" of TIFF's Roger Ebert Golden Thumb Award, which celebrated a remarkable filmmaker who reflected renowned film critic Roger Ebert's passion for cinema.
Newshub.
