Canadians went home empty-handed at the Academy Awards, which on Sunday ignored multiple nominees District 9, Up in the Air and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, while war drama The Hurt Locker dominated with six Oscars including best picture.

Vancouver writer/director Neill Blomkamp and his wife and co-writer Terri Tatchell of District 9 lost out to Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire for adapted screenplay. The sci-fi drama was up for a total of four Oscars including best picture, film editing and visual effects.

Montreal native Jason Reitman’s Up in the Air was overlooked in six categories including adapted screenplay (for Reitman and Sheldon Turner), three acting categories, best picture and directing. Hurt Locker‘s Kathryn Bigelow became the first female helmer to win the directing Oscar.

Canada/U.K. copro The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus was passed up for art direction and costume design, the latter going to The Young Victoria‘s Sandy Powell. Victoria, directed by Quebec’s Jean-Marc Vallée, was also up for art direction and makeup.

It was a disappointing night for James Cameron’s box-office hit Avatar — nominated for nine Oscars including best picture — which only nabbed three prizes in craft categories including art direction, cinematography and visual effects.