The Birdwatcher, a dramatic feature project directed by Siobhan Devine and written by Roslyn Muir, has taken the top prize at the Vancouver International Women in Film Festival.

Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC) Feature Film Award includes $120,000 of in-kind industry services and rental package arranged by the Creative Women Workshops Association.

The Birdwatcher is the story of single mother who, after being diagnosed with cancer, goes on a quest to reunite with her birth mother only to find a prickly professional birdwatcher in the midst of her own personal crisis.

Attached to the project are producer Lucy MacLeod, executive producer Alex Raffe (Mr. Young, Endgame). As well, actor Gabrielle Rose (The Sweet Hereafter) is set to star.

The award, handed out Sunday, was one of numerous prizes handed out during the three-day festival. Devine’s short film OMG also took first place in the Legacy Award.