"Brie Larson breathes vibrant life into the character of Ma from Emma Donoghue's best-selling novel Room. Larson delivers a performance of great warmth, deep reserves of courage and strong empathy as a committed parent determined to make sure her son is taken care of under unimaginable circmstances," said Film Festival Chairman Harold Matzner. "For this stand-out performance, it is an honor to present her with the 2016 Breakthrough Performance Award."