Jimmywork, the controversial first feature from Francophone filmmaker Simon Sauvé, took the CHUM Television Award for Best Canadian First Feature, along with $2,000 cash. A cross between film noir, biopic and cinema vérité, the film follows Sauvé’s neighbour, Jimmy Webster, a gambler, drinker and hopeless schemer with endless ambition, but dishonourable intentions.

Festival Director, Kathy Kay said it was important to recognize this film for the award, “Jimmywork sparked a great deal of debate about documentary and filmmaking amidst the audience. People couldn’t stop talking about the film, it really pushed people’s comfort level and was not a straightforward film experience.”

The other top honours:
Famous Players Award for Best Canadian Feature went to White Skin, directed by Daniel Roby of Quebec;

Two Great Sheep, directed by Liu Hao of China received the Star!TV Award for Best Feature Film;

Best Short Animation went to Oscar-nominated Ryan, by director Chris Landreth;

Best Short (Live Action) went to Milo 55160 from Canadian Film Centre alum David Ostry;

The CBC Newsworld Award for Best Documentary was awarded to Sneakers by director Femke Wolting of the Netherlands. Sneakers explores the complex cultural phenomenom that these rubber-soled shoes have become; and

The Audience Favourite Award was presented to the National Film Board documentary, Being Cariboo by directors Leanne Allison and Diana Wilson.

Earlier in the week, the InVision Award for Best Student Film was presented to director Sarah Rahsad, for her film Tahara, her cultural study of female genital mutilation. The award also includes a cash award of $500.

Jo-Ann Roberts, host of CBC Radio’s All Points West hosted the 11th annual EndFest Party at The Reef restaurant on Sunday evening in downtown Victoria to a sold-out crowd of local cinephiles and festival supporters.

Other special guests at the closing soiree were Lee Demarbe, in town for his screening of Harry Knuckles, Otto Buj director of Eternal Present, and Robert Burke the young director of Max Rules.