Philomena on the Oscar Trail

Philomena Lee, whose experience of tracking down the son she was forced to give up for adoption 50 years prior, receives a citation for her efforts with adoption rights from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office on Feb. 11, 2014.   (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

Philomena Lee receives a citation for her efforts with adoption rights from Daniel Tamm, with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office, on Feb. 11, 2014.   (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)

Philomena Lee, left, and Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) discuss a new adoption initiative, the Philomena Project, at the Hart Senate Office Building on Jan. 30, 2014, in Washington, DC.   (Paul Morigi/Getty Images for the Weinstein Company)

Actor Steve Coogan and Philomena Lee speak during the 25th annual Producers Guild of America Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 19, 2014, in Beverly Hills.   (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Philomena Lee, right, and daughter Jane Libberton attend the 20th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on Jan. 18, 2014, in Los Angeles.   (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

British actress Judi Dench, center, laughs with Philomena Lee on the red carpet for the screening of “Philomena” as part of the 57th BFI London Film Festival at a central London cinema on Oct. 16, 2013.   (Joel Ryan/Invision/Associated Press)