Crossword Genius

Rule safeguarding sci-fi film award perhaps (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

statuette

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'award perhaps' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.

'rule safeguarding sci-fi film' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'film' could be 'et' (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial) and 'et' is present in the answer.
'rule' could be 'statute' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'statute' is found in the remaining letters.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for statuette that I've seen before include "Small carved or moulded figure" , "Small figure's" , "Figurine, a small carving" , "Small sculpture" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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