Close ups of Naomie at Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom Premiere, Toronto

Naomie Harris steps out at the premiere of her new film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom held during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday evening

Naomie Harris puts her sleek form on display in a purple and red dress as she promotes Mandela with Idris Elba in Toronto

By MAIL ONLINE SHOWBIZ REPORTER

PUBLISHED: 03:23, 9 September 2013 | UPDATED: 13:07, 9 September 2013

In her new movie Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, she plays the wife behind the politician.

But as Naomie Harris promoted the movie at the Toronto Film Festival on Sunday there was no doubting she was the center of attention.

At the event Naomie was joined by her co-stars, including Idris Elba, who his garnering Oscar buzz for his portrayal of Nelson Mandela.

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Can't keep his eyes off her: Idris Elba admires his co-star Naomie Harris

And no wonder the pair looked so delighted.

For just the night before, the film prompted a standing ovation after its premiere screening at the Roy Thompson Hall.

On Sunday, Harris wore a silk satin, below-the-knee Burberry pencil skirt with wide black and red stripes paired with a black cotton tank top and Christian Louboutin Dahlia ankle boots.

Her long hair was in loose waves.

Fashion week: Harris shined in a Burberry dress and Christian Louboutin shoeties and the night before she rocked Marchesa at the film's premiere

At the film's premiere on Saturday, the 37-year-old actress wore a black tulle cocktail dress by Marchesa with silver stilettos and Jessica McCormack jewelry and her hair pulled back.

Elba, who wore a sleek black suit and trainers to the premiere, sported a more casual look at the press conference, wearing a striped T-shirt and navy trousers.

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, directed by Justin Chadwick is adapted from Mandela's 1994 autobiography.

It chronicles the iconic leader's journey from childhood in a rural South African village, his days as an anti-apartheid revolutionary, which led to a 27-year prison sentence, and his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of the country. 

Naomie Harris promotes Mandela with Idris Elba in Toronto

Funny business: Co-stars Idris Elba and Naomie Harris share a laugh during the press conference

The film is produced by the Weinstein Co. and also stars Riaad Moosa, Terry Pheto, Lindiwe Matshikiza and Deon Lotz.

Other films have been made about Mandela, who is currently battling a lung infection, but Elba recently insisted that his version is by far the best.

The London-born Harris played Miss Moneypenny in the most recent Bond film Skyfall and has been cast in the same role for the next Bond film.

Chat fest: Harris and co-star Terry Pheto share a story after the press conference

Elba, who was also born in London, rose to fame playing Stringer Bell in the acclaimed television series The Wire.

The actors will be the awarded The Hollywood Reporter's inaugural Breakthrough in Film Awards on Sunday for their roles as Nelson and Winnie Mandela.

The film will be released Stateside on November 29. 

Idris Elba as Nelson Mandela in Long Walk to Freedom

Cast photo: Riaad Moosa, Terry Pheto, Naomie Harris, Idris Elba, Lindiwe Matshikiza and Deon Lotz gather to promote Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

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Toronto: THR to Honor Idris Elba and Naomie Harris With Inaugural Breakthrough in Film Awards

8:15 AM PDT 9/4/2013 by THR Staff

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Idris Elba and Naomie Harris

The stars of "Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom" will be honored Sept. 8 at the Thompson Hotel, at a gala ceremony sponsored by Bulgari.

The stars of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Idris Elba and Naomie Harris, will receive The Hollywood Reporter's inaugural Breakthrough in Film Awards at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. 

“The Hollywood Reporter Breakthrough in Film Awards highlights the incredible work of emerging talent,” said Janice Min, editorial director of The Hollywood Reporter. “We are thrilled to recognize Idris Elba and Naomie Harris for their roles in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, a film which tells one of the most important stories of our time.”The awards, presented by Bulgari, will be given at the Thompson Hotel on Sunday, Sept. 8 during THR’s exclusive TIFF cocktail reception.

The Breakthrough in Film Awards were created to honor the work of an actor and actress in a leading role whose performance marks a turning point in their career. Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom -- already an Oscar contender -- is based on South African PresidentNelson Mandela’s eponymous autobiography chronicling his early life, coming of age, and the 27 years he spent in prison before becoming president. The film will be released by The Weinstein Company on Nov. 29.

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“Bulgari has been synonymous with glamour and style since the 1950s. It is an immense pleasure, thanks to The Hollywood Reporter, for Bulgari to recognize two fantastic actors whom we believe are at the tipping point of their careers, actors who will be the superstars of this coming year and many more to come,” said Stephane Gerschel, head of global communications at Bulgari.

Elba is best known for his starring role in BBC's Luther, for which he won a Golden Globe; his work as Stringer Bell in the critically-lauded HBO series The Wire; and a guest stint on Showtime’s The Big C, which earned him an Emmy nomination. His film work has recently taken center stage with performances in Prometheus and Pacific Rim. 

Harris' breakout starring role was playing Selena in Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later, a supporting turn as Tia Dalma/Calypso in the second and third Pirates of the Caribbean films, and as Eve Moneypenny in the 23rd James Bond film, Skyfall. 

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Mandela's biopic to premiere at Toronto International Film Festival

Mandela's biopic to premiere at Toronto International Film Festival

The biopic on anti-apartheid icon and ailing former South African president Nelson Mandela will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September.

Titled "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom", the film stars actor Idris Elba in the lead role and actress Naomie Harris in the supporting role as Winnie Mandela, reports contactmusic.com.

"As soon as we saw it, we knew that it would set the right tone for opening night. It's a movie about what we thought is one of the most important issues of the day - information and who controls it," said Cameron Bailey, the festival's artistic director.

Piers Handling, chief executive officer and director of TIFF, said the first round of films "offers a taste of the powerhouse line-up at this year's festival. These are the works that will have everyone talking because they capture the mood of the times".