Inuit film earns top honours at Genie Awards

An internationally acclaimed Inuit film was the big winner Thursday night as Canadian filmmakers celebrated the year's best achievements at the 22nd annual Genie Awards.

Atanarjuat, the Fast Runner, is the first feature film by an Inuit filmmaker in the Inuktitut language . It won five of the seven categories in which it was nominated.

Members of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television voted it best picture, director, screenplay, editing and original score.

Director Zacharias Kunuk said the film, which took seven years to make, was a long and difficult process.

"I think the biggest thing I learned was being an aboriginal trying to get into this game. And the policies weren't set right for aboriginals. I saw it like two women fighting, pulling hair. We were fighting for the right to make our films," said Kunuk.

The man who wrote the screenplay, Paul Apak, died before the film was finished. His daughter Krysta Uttak says she's proud of her father's work, and that the awards are symbolic of a new optimism for many Inuit.

"When the movie was released in our home town everybody was there and I don't think anyone expected anything. The academy awarded him for this movie. I'm so happy. It means that we can dream and we can do," said Uttak.

The film may garner more acclaim after next week's Academy Award nominations. Atanarjuat is Canada's official entry for best foreign film.

Treed Murray, The War Bride, and Last Wedding were next in line with two Genies each.

Brendan Fletcher won best actor for The Law of Enclosures, and Elise Guilbault won best actress for La femme qui boit.