But Jojo Rabbit, which stars Roman Griffin Davis as Jojo alongside a cast including Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell, was heartily cheered by festival audiences, who vote for the People's Choice award.

Last month, Variety reported some executives for the Walt Disney Co., which earlier this year acquired Fox Searchlight, who will release the film, were concerned about Jojo Rabbit being too edgy for the company. But in an interview in Toronto, Waititi disputed that, saying Disney chief executive Bob Iger and chief creative officer Alan Horn "gushed" over the film.

"It's like saying, 'Watch out for that Life Is Beautiful movie. It's going to bring down the corporation,"' Waititi said. "I don't think you have to worry about this movie because once you see it, it speaks for itself. It's uplifting and it's a very positive message."

AAP