Three Canadian directors who?ve enjoyed long and successful partnerships with TIFF were honoured with awards today.  David Cronenberg?s Eastern Promises received the People?s Choice Award, Stéphane Lafleur?s sophisticated Continental: un film sans fusil won Best Canadian First Feature Film, and the enigmatic Guy Maddin's absurd documentary My Winnipeg took home Best Canadian Feature Film.

?To see three filmmakers win prizes today who we?ve had a long-time relationship with is very heartening for us, and validates our faith in what Canadian cinema can do. We take our role very seriously when it comes to nurturing talent in this country.  It?s not just a slogan,? said Noah Cowan, festival co-director. 

?Through our various programs with emerging directors - as they develop, helping them travel around the world and find new experiences ? we support their work both in a business and artistic context.  This is a big part of why we exist. ?

Maddin, who narrated My Winnipeg live during one TIFF screening, accepted a commission from the Documentary Channel to make a film about his hometown because he was ?flat broke? and needed a project.  ?I had very humble expectations for this film.  I was hoping to make something that was a documentary without appearing to be too big of a wank.  I had some historical events I?d known about for a long time in Winnipeg I wanted to get out there, some favourite things.  So I walked the dog a lot and daydreamed about how these things might interconnect. 

?TIFF has nurtured me really well.  I know everyone?s home phone numbers, but it doesn?t feel like a good old boys club, I never take them for granted.  I want to please them.  I want to make sure they like it.  I count on being here in the fall.  Fall used to mean clean air and pretty girls on campus, now it means this festival,? Maddin said leaving the Fairmont Royal York?s ballroom. 

Stéphane Lafleur has a similar story:  ?I came to TIFF for the first time in 1999 with my first short film, it was a student project.  I came back with two other shorts after that.  They?re really supportive, they always check in with what I have coming up.  Once you put your feet in the festival they keep asking what you?re doing.  I was very happy to come back with this first feature this year.?

His film is being released in Quebec in November, but Lafleur hopes the award will create the type of buzz necessary to garner a wide release. ?I hope it will be good for the film of course.  Give it a little bit of attention. It?s kind of an independent film. Everything that can bring attention to it is good.?

Cronenberg wasn?t available for an interview.  He was too busy promoting the successful opening of Eastern Promises in New York.  Perhaps we?ll write something similar about a young visionary like Lafleur a few years from now.