Ava wins best first feature film at Canadian Screen Awards

Sadaf Foroughi'sAvais the winner of this year's Canadian Screen Award for best first feature film.

The award goes to the year's best feature film by a first-time director.

When nominations for this year's Canadian Screen Awards were announced earlier this month,Avaalso earned eight nominations, includingbest film,best leading actress and best supporting actress.

Tehran-born, Montreal-based Foroughi is nominated for best direction and best original screenplay.

Ava, a Canadian co-production with Iran and Qatar, stars Mahour Jabbari as the titular character:a 16-year-oldupper-class girl who chafes against family and societal restrictions in Tehran.

The Canadian Screen Awards gala will be broadcast live on CBC-TV on March 11.