Box-office star Bon Cop, Bad Cop and Un dimanche à Kigali, a tragic story of the Rwandan genocide, lead the pack with 12 nominations each in this year’s run-up to the Prix Jutra, which on Jan. 23 unveiled its contenders for the top Quebec film honors.

The frontrunners couldn’t be more different: one an unapologetically commercial and decidedly Canadian take on the American buddy cop formula film, the other a love story set amid a gruesome war.

Both films are competing in categories including best picture, best direction for Érik Canuel (Bon Cop) and Robert Favreau (Kigali), and a three-way race for best actor, with Bon Cop’s Colm Feore and Patrick Huard facing off against Kigali’s Luc Picard.

The movies will also compete for best supporting actress, best art direction, best sound, best editing, best music, best screenplay and best makeup.

‘I am very happy – especially that my whole production team has been recognized,’ says Favreau. ‘Making a low-budget film about Africa on location was very challenging for all of us. It was a complete culture shock and at times terrifying.’

This year’s list of Jutra nominees reflects the broad spectrum of filmmaking going on in Quebec, say organizers.

Congorama, Philippe Falardeau’s unusual dramedy about a Belgian man investigating the life of his father in Quebec, earned six nominations, among them best picture, best direction and best screenplay.

Along with both Bon Cop leads getting best actor nods, the Jutras also nom’d the teams of Paul Ahmarani and Olivier Gourmet for Congorama. Popular Quebec actress Céline Bonnier, meanwhile, is nominated twice, as best actress for Délivrez-moi and best supporting actress for Kigali.

The ninth annual Jutra Awards, which were established to celebrate and promote Quebec cinema, will be held on Feb. 18 at Montreal’s Place des Arts. For the second year, the event will be hosted by Quebec media personality Normand Brathwaite.

For all the nominees, visit the Jutra website.

-With files from Patricia Bailey.

www.radio-canada.ca/television/jutra2007