Reel Asian wraps 21st fest 
Patrick Alcedo’s A Piece of Paradise took home a pair of awards from the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, which wrapped Nov. 18. The documentary won the best Canadian film award, along with its $1,000 prize, as well as the National Bank best first feature award, and its $4,000 prize. Alcedo followed three Filipina women living and working in Toronto over the course of five years, as they dream of someday visiting the Phillippines again. Canadian filmmaker Robin Joseph picked up the Animasian award for best animated film for The Fox and the Whale, while Mariam Zaidi’s Over Time won the DGC Ontario and WIFT-T film prize. Other winners at the fest include Nattiwut Poonpiriya’s Bad Genius (Thailand), which won the Menkes audience award; Sheron Dayoc’s Women of the Weeping River (Philippines), which won the Fasken Martineau best first feature award; and Megumi Sasaki’s A Whale of a Tale (Japan), which won the best feature doc award.

UBCP/ACTRA Award winners named 
The sixth annual UBCP/ACTRA Awards took place this evening honouring five members for their work in the creative industries over the past year. Adrian Holmes won best actor for his role in 19-2, Tammy Gillis won best actress for her work in Menorca, Adam DiMarco took the emerging performer award for Marrying in the Family, Rebecca Husain won the best voice work award for Beat Bugs, while Simon Burnett, Leif Havdale, Corry Glass, and Jon Kralt won for their performances in Supergirl. The Lorena Gale Woman of Distinction Award, which honours a UBCP menmber whose work helps advance the status of women, was presented to actress Veena Sood.

Beatriz at Dinner nabs Indie Spirit noms
Beatriz at Dinner, produced by Bron Studios and Christine Vachon’s New York-based Killer Films, scored a couple of Independent Spirit Award nominations. The film’s U.S. writer Mike White scored a best screeplay nod, while its lead Salma Hayek received a best female lead nomination. Producers on the project are Bron founder Aaron L. Gilbert, Vachon, Pam Koffler and David Hinojosa. The film is produced in association with Creative Wealth Media Finance, with Bron co-financing.