It came as no surprise to many of the assembled press when Push: Based On The Novel By Sapphire was named the Dramatic Competition award at Sundance.
The superbly acted film, which also won an acting prize for Monique, clearly appeals more to US critics than British ones.
On the Brit front, it was a good night, with Rough Aunties (Kim Longinotto), An Education (Lone Scherfig) and Afghan Star (Havana Marking) all winning plaudits.
Proceedings were introduced by Ken Brecher (Sundance Executive Director). He said: "When we began this festival, George Bush was the president of the United States" [boos from the crowd] "and we ended it with Barack Obama" [cheers all round].
The main host was Jane Lynch (The L Word). She followed in the footsteps of last year's host, William H Macy, weaving the festival's film titles into a story, which she promised would touch on Prop 8 - and so she did, in risque fashion.
She warned recipients that the award weighs "around 17lbs... and a word of advice, don't be tedious".
Geoff Gilmore also presented, he said: "It's been an inspiring film festival, I think in a moment when we really needed it.
"We've come of age and independent film has come of age as well."
Applauding the risk-taking, he added: "The success of the festival is a tribute to all the filmmakers sitting here."
He also took time to thank the 1585 volunteers (and so say all of us). They announced an inaugural Gayle Stevens Volunteer award (in tribute to a long-term volunteer who passed away this year). It went to Debbie Read.
NHK International Filmmakers Award (already announced): Diego Lerman,Lucile Hadzihalilovic, David Riker, Kenji Qurata
International (already announced): Lies by Jonas Odell
US award (already announced): Short Term 12, Destin Daniel Cretton
Alfred P Sloan (already announced): Adam, D: Max MayerDramatic Competition Grand Jury Prize: Push; Dir: Lee Daniels
Directing Award US Dramatic: Cary Fukunaga for Sin Nombre
Documentary Competition Grand Jury Prize: We Live In Public, dir: Ondi Timoner
Special Jury Prize Cinematography Dramatic: Adriano Goldman for Sin Nombre
Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award
: Paper Heart; Screenwriter: Nicholas JasenovecDirecting Award US Documentary: Natalia Almada for El General
Special Jury Prize Documentary Editing Award: Karen Schmeer for Sergio
Special Jury Prize Cinematography US Doc: Bob Richman for The September Issue
Audience Award US Doc: The Cove; Dir: Louie Psihoyos... Rick O'Barry calls on NHK to allow doc to be shown in Japan
Audience Award US Dramatic: Push; Dir: Lee Daniels
Special Jury Prize for Docs: Good Hair; Dir Jeff Stilson
Special Jury Prize for Excellence in Independent Cinema: Humpday
Special Jury Prize Acting: Monique
Audience Dramatic Competition
Audience Documentary Competition
World Dramatic Competition Grand Jury Prize: La Nana (The Maid); Dir: Sebastián Silva.
World Cinema Directing Award: Oliver Hirschbiegel for Five Minutes Of Heaven.
Special World Cinema Jury Prize (acting): Catalina Saavedra for The Maid
Special World Cinema Jury Prize for originality: Louise-Michel; Dir: Gustave de Kervern, Benoît Delépine
Special Jury Prize (cinematography): John De Borman for An Education.
Special Jury Award (screenwriting) Jury were: "awestruck by power and sensitivity of screenwriter's work": Guy Hibbert, for Five Minutes Of Heaven
World Cinema Audience Award Doc: Afghan Star; Dir Havana Marking
World Cinema Dramatic award: An Education; Dir Lone Scherfig
World Documentary Competition: Jury said they were "humbled by the films".
World Cinema Grand Jury Documentary: Rough Aunties by Kim Longinotto
Special Jury Prize: Tibetan Song, D: Ngawang Choephel (he served 18 years in jail for filming in Tibet).
Special Jury Prize for Cinematography: John Maringouin for Big River Man.
World Cinema Jury Prize Documentary Editing award: Burma VJ Janus Billeskov Jansen, Thomas Papapetros.
World Cinema Directing Award: Havana Marking for Afghan Star
