Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire

Earlier today, I kicked off the last of my TIFFing at a reception announcing this year's jury and people's choice picks. While my festival favourites (Fish Tank, The Time That Remains, Life During Wartime) were overlooked at the Awards, a surprising new list of must-see titles emerged.

The roundup of TIFF 2009 winners looks like this:

Prize of the International Critics (FIPRESCI) for Special Presentations:
Bruno Dumont's Hadewijch (France)

Prize of the International Critics (FIPRESCI) for Discovery:
Laxmikant Shetgaonkar's The Man Beyond the Bridge (India)

SKYY Vodka Award for Best Canadian First Feature Film:
Alexandre Franchi's The Wild Hunt

City of Toronto and Astral Media's The Movie Network Award for the Best Canadian feature Film:
Ruba Nadda's Cairo Time

Award for Best Canadian Short:
Pedro Pires' Danse Macabre
(With and "honourable mention" to Jamie Travis for The Armoire)

Cadillac People's Choice Award:
Lee Daniels' Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire
(Bruce Beresford`s Mao`s Last Dancer and Jean-Pierre Jeunet`s Micmacs were first and second runners-up)

Cadillac People's Choice Award - Documentary:
Leanne Pooley 's The Topp Twins

Cadillac People's Choice Award - Midnight Madness:
Sean Byrne's The Loved Ones

A first-come, first-served race is on for free tickets to see the top People's Choice pick Precious, available at 7pm today at the Elgin Theatre box office, for a 9pm screening of the film.

Failing that, a festival wrap party is in the works at Yonge-Dundas Square. Eclectic Method from London are on the bill, set to remix clips from television, film, music and video game footage. Clyde Stubblefield, Chuck D and "other special guests" are expected in the Square from 9 to 11 pm (on September 19th).