It’s the little indie hit that became one of the most commercially successful films of 2007, it gained a best picture nod at the Independent Spirit Awards and yes, it’s an Academy Award winner. But Juno won’t be adding any Genies, the Canadian equivalent of the Oscars, to its trophy shelf.

Despite its Montreal-born director, its Canadian it-girl star Ellen Page, and the Vancouver filming location, Juno didn’t qualify for Genie consideration simply because no one submitted it. According to an official with the Canadian film awards, the movie is ineligible for recognition from the Genies because it needed to be submitted by the movie’s filmmakers.

“Ultimately, it’s up to the filmmaker to decide whether to seek Canadian certification. It would not be appropriate for me to speculate about the reasons for a filmmaker’s decision or why they may or may not qualify.” Sara Morton, head of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, said in a statement Friday, CBC.ca reports.

Director Jason Reitman wasn’t impressed with the award’s explanation for the snub and expressed his disappointment in Los Angeles last week at a luncheon honouring Canadian Oscar nominees.

“It’s a Canadian director, Canadian stars, Canadian cast, Canadian crew, shot in Canada ? how are we not eligible for a Genie when David Cronenberg’s film about Russians living in London shot in England with a British crew and British cast is eligible?” he said.

“I’m sorry, but somebody is going to have to explain that to me; I don’t get it.”






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