Genie awards publicity translated into a box office boom for Istvan Szabo's Sunshine last weekend, as the film notched up its strongest sales to date since its release in Canada on December 16.

Earning an impressive C$85,000 ($59,000) on 42 screens across Canada for the weekend Feb 4-6, the film now has a cumulative box office of C$700,000 ($484,000).

"There is no question that the recognition and exposure generated by the Genie awards has contributed to Sunshine's outstanding performance," said Jim Sherry, senior vice president and general manager of Alliance Atlantis Motion Picture Distribution.

The film, which follows a family over three turbulent generations, picked up three awards including Best Picture at Canada's Genie awards on Jan 30. Paramount Classics plans to release Sunshine in the US this spring.