JACK tells the inspirational story of the former New Democratic Party Leader, Jack Layton. The biopic captures the life and times of the late politician, whose historic election campaign while battling cancer captured the attention of the nation.Allen Fraser
Deepa Mehta's epic film "Midnight's Children" and the TV movie "Jack" were named best films at the 12th Director's Guild of Canada awards Saturday.
"Midnight's Children," based on the award-winning novel by Salman Rushdie, won for best feature film while CBC's "Jack," about the late charismatic NDP leader Jack Layton, was best TV movie.
Showtime's "The Borgias" won for best dramatic television series and sound editing.
Best director nods went to Michael McGowan for the romantic drama "Still Mine" and to Anne Wheeler for the TV movie "The Horses of McBride." David Wellington was best director for CTV's "Saving Hope," which also won for best picture editing.
The "Heartland" episode "Running Against the Wind," directed by Stefan Scaini, was judged best in the TV family category while in television, comedy "Call Me Fitz," directed by Scott Smith, won for the episode "Thirty Percent Less Pulp Fiction."
Sarah Polley's "Stories We Tell," produced by the National Film Board of Canada, received the award for excellence in documentary while director/producer Christopher Cinnamon's "The Sound of Willie Nelson's Guitar" was best short film.
The dramatic film "Rebelle," Canada's entry at last year's Oscars, the TV movie "An Amish Murder" and TV's "Hell on Wheels" had nods for best production design.
The Spanish-Canadian horror film "Mama" won for picture and sound editing while the TV movie "An Officer and a Murderer," about the crimes committed by former RCAF colonel Russell Williams, won for picture editing.
A sound editing nod also went to the TV mini-series "Titanic."
John N. Smith was recognized for lifetime achievement, Lee Gordon was the Don Haldane distinguished service award winner and Peter O'Brian received an honorary life member award.
Comedian Sean Cullen hosted the gala at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto.