It’s not the LAST award handed out during “awards season.” That would be whatever MTV does in June.

But the Genesis Awards, honors delivered by the Humane Society of the U.S., are still a feather in one’s cap. “Big Miracle,” the Drew Barrymore/John Krasinski “true story” of a Cold War era whale rescue in Arctic Alaska, took the top prize. And Stephen Colbert was honored for his TV show’s animal-friendly messages.

A feel-good February movie starring good actors who aren’t box office draws is only going to do so well, even if it’s good. But this is well-deserved recognition for a film that deserved better than it got.