Following the massively positive reaction to Stephen Frears’ Philomena in Venice, The Weinstein Co is firming its U.S. release plans, Deadline said.

Philomena will go out first in New York and Los Angeles on Christmas Day and then will open wide on January 10, say TWC execs Robert Walak and Negeen Yazdi.

The movie was warmly received at its screening in Venice; Frears and stars Judi Dench and Steve Coogan also got a standing ovation at a press conference. It had already been expected to play a role in TWC’s awards season plans, and there has been kudo chatter since the first screening, with folks noting that Frears’ 2006 The Queen started its awards career here.