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Sarah Polley's film Mr Nobody premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, 2009. She was photographed at the Hotel Intercontinental in Toronto, Sept. 17, 2009.Kevin Van Paassen

Canadian director Sarah Polley is pulling her name from a short film she made that is set to air during the Academy Awards broadcast this weekend.

The Toronto-based filmmaker says "The Heart" was crafted to promote the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

But she says in a release that she's learned her work will also promote a product when it the airs during one of the award show's commercial breaks.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation's healthy living campaign, dubbed Heart Truth, is sponsored by Becel.

Polley, who was nominated for an Oscar for writing the adapted screenplay for "Away From Her," says she's "never actively promoted any corporate brand, and cannot do so now."

The Academy Awards air March 7 on CTV.

"I was thrilled, as I was proud to be associated with the work of this incredible organization," Polley said Tuesday of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

"However, I have since learned that my film is also being used to promote a product. Regretfully, I am forced to remove my name from the film and disassociate myself from it."

In the past Polley has been actively involved in politics, supporting the Ontario New Democratic Party and working with a prominent anti-poverty group.

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