Sarah Polley’s deeply personal documentary Stories We Tell has been named the Best Canadian Film of 2012 by the Toronto Film Critics Association.

The award carries a prize of $100,000.

The acclaimed actress-turned-director told a gala audience last night that it wasn’t easy make the film.

Stories We Tell concerns Polley’s discovery that she was the product of an extra-marital affair between her late mother and another man. She says the film was painful to make, at times she didn’t know why she was bothering, and it felt like a disaster while she was making it. She says the last thing she expected was the recognition the film has received.

It’s the second time the Toronto Film Critics have recognized Polley’s work. Her feature film Away From Her was voted Best Canadian Film of 2006.

Polley was awarded the prize last night on her 33rd birthday.