SARAH POLLEY - POLLEY UP FOR GENIE AWARD

Actress-turned-director SARAH POLLEY is to be honoured by the Canadian film industry for her directorial debut AWAY FROM HER. Polley - who is also up for a screenwriting Oscar this weekend (24Feb08) - will receive the coveted Claude Jutra Award at next month's (Mar08) Genie Awards, which recognises outstanding achievement by a first-time director. Away From Her is nominated for a total of seven Genies - including best actor nods for its stars Julie Christie and Gordon Pinsent. The annual awards gala will take place in Toronto on 3 March.