Maple Pictures says it set a personal record last weekend with its release of Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire. The Oscar buzz-maker grossed $57,300 at Toronto’s art-house Varsity Cinemas, according to the distributor, making it the highest per-print gross in the company’s four-year history.

The film is also playing at a nearby multiplex, bringing its three-day combined per-screen average to some $44,200 — a strong start for a theatrical run that will expand to 28 screens in Vancouver, Montreal, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Victoria and Halifax on Friday.

Earlier this month, Precious also scored a record in the U.S. for Lionsgate when it opened Nov. 6 to the tune of US$1.8 million on only 18 screens. Its $100,000 per screen is a record for a film opening in under 50 theaters, according to Variety. Precious‘ U.S. box-office total to date is $22 million. In Canada it stands at $104,000.

Directed by Lee Daniels, the drama nabbed the audience awards at both the Sundance and Toronto International Film Festivals this year, and has generated buzz for entertainer Mo’Nique, who stars as an abusive mother to a Harlem teen, played by newcomer Gabourey Sidibe. It is produced by Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey.