Vancouver producer Rob Merilees was surprised to come out on top at the CFTPA’s third annual Producer’s Award ceremony, where he was feted for his work on the adventure comedy Stone of Destiny and other noteworthy features including Oscar winner Capote.

‘It’s the most fantastic thing ever…I didn’t expect it,’ Merilees said after the presentation at a Toronto bistro, where he also received a $10,000 cheque. Merilees beat out other producers including David Hamilton (Heaven and Earth), Jennifer Jonas (Toronto Stories), Barbara Shrier (Un été sans point ni coup sur) and Dean English (Edison & Leo).

‘We keep a very low profile in Vancouver, and for them to recognize somebody from the West is amazing,’ added Merilees, who produces through Infinity Features.

The producer paid tribute to his partner, the late William Vince, who succumbed to cancer earlier this year.

‘It has been tough…We miss him very much. He loved this kind of stuff and would’ve been so excited,’ said Merilees, whose other film credits include The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, Sleepwalking, The Cleaner and The Snow Walker.

‘It’s wonderful that he’s getting the recognition across Canada that I always felt he deserved…He’s a gem,’ reacted director Charles Martin Smith, who was also on hand at the reception.

Smith and Merilees presented their latest collaboration Stone of Destiny on Sept. 13 as the closing gala at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film is based on a true story of four students who break into London’s Westminster Abbey to retrieve the Scottish artifact Stone of Scone.

CFTPA board chair Sandra Cunningham also announced that the Producer’s Award will be extended.

‘In this climate of uncertainty – where the only certain thing seems to be budget cuts – we’re pleased to announce that the board of the CFTPA has renewed this award for another five years,’ she said.

The jury was comprised of last year’s winner Niv Fichman (Rhombus Media), Barbara Doran (Morag Loves Company), Patricia Rozema (Vos Productions), Carole Vivier (Manitoba Film and Sound) and Blake Corbet (Anagram Pictures).