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GOLD COAST, Queensland. -- "The Jammed," a self-distribbed contempo thriller about human trafficking that until five months ago was set to go direct-to-DVD, capped a remarkable rise from obscurity to collect the top trophy at the Inside Film Awards Nov. 17.

The indie-financed pic also won kudos for script (for scribe-producer-helmer Dee McLachlan) and music (Grant McLachlan) but Tony Ayres' semi-autobiographical immigrant family drama "The Home Song Stories" scooped the biggest booty, five awards, including the director award for Ayres.

The web-voted IF Awards, dubbed the people's choice kudos in contrast to the AFI Awards held each December, were presented at the Royal Pines Resort on Queensland's Gold Coast and broadcast on fifth-ranked pubcaster SBS.

"The Jammed," which stars Emma Lung as an Asian immigrant forced into sex slavery in Melbourne, was bypassed for acting kudos which went to "Home Song" leads 13-year-old Joel Lok and Joan Chen.

Chen said she was lured out of retirement to take the role and described the win as "embroidery on silk."

"Home Song" also collected awards for design (Melinda Doring) and cinematography (Nigel Bluck).

Tinnitus-drama "Noise" garnered awards for sound (Emma Bortignon, Doron Kipen, Philippe Decrausaz) and editing (Geoff Hitchins).

"Unlikely Travellers" from helmer Michael Noonan won best doc and "Darling! The Pieter-Dirk Uys Story" took the independent spirit award.