The Disaster Artist receives ‘historic’ TIFF reception with huge standing ovation

James Franco and Tommy Wiseau brought the roof down at the film's TIFF premiere

At around midnight in Toronto last night, there was only one place anyone wanted to be - at the Ryerson Theatre for the Midnight Madness screening of new film The Disaster Artist.

The cast - including James Franco, his brother Dave and Alison Brie - were all in attendance at the premiere in which frenzied inflatable football-throwing fans of the film's inspiration - “worst film ever made” The Room - turned up in their droves in what has easily been the festival's biggest draw.

Director of The Room Tommy Wiseau also walked the red carpet having come straight from a pre-screening party also attended by co-star Greg Sestero and Chloë Sevigny at the festival to promote new film Lean On Pete.

Midnight Madness is a popular TIFF strand in which films - usually from the horror genre - are shown to a rowdier crowd in the early hours. This year's strand has included Eminem-produced battle rap film Bodied as well as Nicolas Cage's Mom and Dad.

However, none have received quite the acclaim being chucked the way of The Disaster Artist with the James Franco-directed film receiving a standing ovation which lasted for the entirety of the post-screening Q&A with the film's cast - a festival first.

A UK release date for The Disaster Artist is yet to be announced.