TORONTO — Brad Pitt walked the red carpet solo Saturday night, sending a screaming crowd into a frenzy at the North American premiere of his new film, Babel.

Clad in a black suit, shirt and tie, Pitt paused for several minutes to sign autographs for the horde assembled outside of Roy Thomson Hall at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Pitt had high praise for his castmates and for Babel director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu

"I'm just really happy," he said. "Anytime you put a lot of work into it and it comes out nice -- it really goes to the cast and Alejandro. He did an exquisite job -- an amazing job."

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The new dad said he wouldn't be partying at the fest Saturday night because he had an "early call."

"I'm here because it's important and we want our film to be seen here," he said.

Pitt has kept a low profile since the birth of his daughter with Angelina Jolie earlier this year.

Hundreds of fans were elated to see the star back in the spotlight Saturday night, screaming Pitt's name and holding up signs. One woman even hoisted a giant painting bearing his likeness.