by Sandy Mandelberger, Festival Dailies Editor

Although the Toronto International Film Festival does not have a official Competition Section (which distinguishes it from events in Cannes, Berlin, Venice and San Sebastian), there are a few awards announcements to close out the 12 day event.

CADILLAC PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS

The Cadillac People's Choice Award is voted on by Festival audiences. This year’s award went to Lee Daniels's Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire. Director Lee Daniels' Sundance Film Festival winner is a  vibrant, honest and resoundingly hopeful film about the human capacity to grow and overcome. Set in 1987 Harlem, it is the story of Claireece "Precious" Jones, an illiterate African-American teenager who is pregnant for the second time by her absent father and abused by a poisonously angry mother. The award offers a $15,000 cash prize and custom award, sponsored by Cadillac.

New this year is a Cadillac People’s Choice Award for Documentary and Midnight Madness. The Cadillac People's Choice Award – Documentary is given to Leanne Pooley's The Topp Twins. Fun, disarming and musically provocative, the Topp Twins are New Zealand’s finest lesbian country-and-western singers and the country’s greatest export since rack of lamb and the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy.

The Cadillac People's Choice Award – Midnight Madness was awarded to Sean Byrne's The Loved Ones. A troubled teen’s prom dreams are shattered by a series of painful events that take place under the mirrored disco ball, involving syringes, nails, power drills and a secret admirer. 

THE SKYY Vodka AWARD FOR BEST CANADIAN FIRST FEATURE FILM

The SKYY Vodka Award for Best Canadian First Feature Film went to to Alexandre Franchi for The Wild Hunt.  Set in the fantasy-reality of a large role-playing game, this film captures the culture of costume play and the potentially dangerous intersection of the real and made-up worlds. The award carries a cash prize of $15,000.

THE CITY OF TORONTO AND ASTRAL MEDIA’S THE MOVIE NETWORK AWARD FOR BEST CANADIAN FEATURE FILM

The City of Toronto and Astral Media’s The Movie Network Award for Best Canadian Feature Film was collected by Ruba Nadda for Cairo Time. Described by the jury as a superbly directed lyrical waltz of longing and desire across disparate worlds, with exquisite performances by Patricia Clarkson, Tom McCamus and Alexander Siddig. Generously co-sponsored by the City of Toronto and Astral Media’s The Movie Network, the award carries a cash prize of $30,000.

PRIZE OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF FILM CRITICS (FIPRESCI PRIZE)

The jury members consist of jury president Diego Lerer (Argentina), Jan Schulz-Ojala (Germany), Hynek Pallas (Sweden), Kirill Razlogov (Russia), Denis Seguin (Canada) and Jorge Gutman (Canada).

The Prize of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI Prize) for Discovery was awarded to Laxmikant Shetgaonkar for The Man Beyond the Bridge ( India ). Director Shetgaonkar, immersed in the culture of the rural region depicted in the film,tells his tale with grace and attentiveness, taking the villages traditions and beliefs seriously, while casting a critical eye on those who exploit them.  

The Prize of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI Prize) for Special Presentations went to Bruno Dumont for Hadewijch (France). This film is a hypnotic study of the possibilities and consequences that arise from an absolute belief in God, and the fascinating dynamic that emerges. Dumont has previously played at the Festival with La Vie de Jésus (99), Twentynine Palms (03) and Flandres (06). L’humanité and Flandres were both awarded the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival.

For more information on these and all the films that screened in Toronto, visit the website: www.tiff.net