War Witch wins big at Quebec's film awards

Movie wins best film, director at 15th annual Jutra ceremony

CBC News

Posted: Mar 18, 2013 12:11 AM ET

Last Updated: Mar 18, 2013 11:12 AM ET

War Witch director Kim Nguyen, and actress Rachel Mwanza hold their trophies at the 15th annual Jutra award ceremony in Montreal on Sunday. (Peter McCabe/Canadian Press)

Academy Award nominee War Witch was the big winner at the 15th annual Jutra awards in Montreal on Sunday night, taking home awards for best film, best director and best actress.

Hosting the show was Genie award-winning actor Rémy Girard, known for his role in the 2011 Oscar nominated film Incendies. Girard was the Jutra's inaugural host in 1999.

Among those taking home some of the night's most recognized awards:

- Best Actor: Julien Poulin, Camion

- Best Actress: Rachel Mwanza, War Witch (known as Rebelle in French)

- Best Director: Kim Nguyen, War Witch

- Best Film: War Witch

The ceremony also paid tribute to veteran actor Michel Côté who received the Jutra award for lifetime achievement. Beginning his career in 1983, Côté has performed in more than 20 movies, including Cruising Bar, C.R.A.Z.Y., and Father and Guns.

Omertà, by Luc Dionne, was awarded the Jutra for the movie which sold the most tickets in 2012.

The Jutra jury had a tough time this year selecting a short list of nominees. A total of 241 short and medium-length fiction films, 32 feature films, 20 short and medium-length animated films, and 41 feature-length documentaries were all submitted.

The Quebec film industry had a difficult 2012 with slumping box office sales. Critics blamed the shortfall on the increasing popularity of Imax films, 3D movies and the ease of online movie renting.

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