Sarah Polley took top honours at the Directors Guild of Canada awards Saturday, as her feature directing debut “Away from Her” was named top feature film. Polley herself was named top director.

Polley’s husband, David Wharnsby, also won for best feature editing for the film.

‘Away from Her’ is based on a short story by Canadian novelist Alice Munro. Julie Christie and Gordon Pinsent play a couple dealing with Alzheimer’s.

In the TV movie or miniseries categories, ‘Dragon Boys’ won for best TV movie or miniseries, and Sturla Gunnarsson won best director for ‘Above and Beyond.’

For TV series, ‘Slings and Arrows’ won for top drama and ‘Corner Gas’ won for top comedy. Stephen Surjik took best TV series director for ‘Intelligence,’ episode 311, ‘Not a Nice Boy.’

On the family side of things, ‘Me and Luke’ won for best family TV movie or miniseries, and best family TV series went to ‘Instant Star.’

Rob Stewart’s ‘Sharkwater’ won for best documentary.

The lifetime achievement award was given to director-producer-writer Paul Almond, while veteran producer Marilyn Stonehouse was honoured with the Don Haldane Distinguished Service Award.

The fifth annual awards show was held in Toronto.






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