"Away From Her" earns film award in Canada

Writer/Director Sarah Polley arrives to the New York Film Critic's Circle Awards in New York January 6, 2008. [Agencies]

Canadian actress-turned-director Sarah Polley won the best film prize for her Oscar-nominated debut feature "Away From Her" at the inaugural Canadian Indie Awards in Ottawa Wednesday.

Adapted by Polley from a short story by Canadian writer Alice Munro, "Away From Her" portrays an elderly couple, played by Julie Christie and Gorden Pinsent, as they deal with the ravages of Alzheimer's disease.

Polley received an Oscar nod for adapted screenplay, while Christie will compete for best actress at the 80th annual Academy Awards on Sunday.

The Canadian Indie Awards were handed out on the first night of the Canadian Film and Television Producers Assn. conference.