&nbsp;is 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,&nbsp;

&nbsp;also earned eight nominations, including&nbsp;best film,&nbsp;best leading actress and best supporting actress.

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

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

Iranian actresses of TIFF movie Ava denied entry to Canada

The Toronto International Film festival says the talent of two Iranian actresses denied entry to Canada is shining nonetheless as their film screens for audiences this weekend.

Actress Mahour Jabbari appears in a scene from Sadaf Foroughi's new film Ava, in which a teen's relationship with her family is challenged when her mother questions her virtue. Jabbari and another co-star, Shayesteh Sajadi, were denied entry into Canada to attend the Toronto International Film Festival.

Actress Mahour Jabbari appears in a scene from Sadaf Foroughi's new film Ava. Jabbari and another co-star, Shayesteh Sajadi, were denied entry into Canada to attend the Toronto International Film Festival.

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

Mahour Jabbari, starring in Ava is nominated for best performance by an actress in a leading role. 

Sadaf Foroughi's film debut Ava has earned the Montreal-based writer and director an early prize for the Canadian Screen Awards: best first feature. 

Ava wins best first feature film at Canadian Screen Awards

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