Toronto, ON — October 7, 2025 — Women in Film & Television – Toronto (WIFT+ Toronto) proudly announces the six remarkable recipients of the 38th Annual Crystal Awards, set to be celebrated at a gala luncheon on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at the historic Fairmont Royal York Hotel in downtown Toronto.
Since its founding in 1988, the Crystal Awards has become WIFT+ Toronto’s flagship tribute gala, honouring individuals who have made profound contributions to the Canadian and international screen-based media industry. Now in its 38th year, the awards have recognized more than 185 trailblazers for their creative vision, innovative achievements, industry leadership, and dedication to mentorship.
WIFT+ Toronto is thrilled to announce that Jess Allen of CTV’s The Social will host this year’s Crystal Awards Gala. As a correspondent and recurring co-host of the daytime talk show, Allen has been recognized with Canadian Screen Awards in both 2024 and 2025 for Best Host, Talk Show or Entertainment News.
2025 Crystal Awards Honourees:
- Creative Excellence: Sharon Lewis, Director
- Innovation Trailblazer: Joan Jenkinson, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Black Screen Office
- International Achievement: Jennifer Dodge, President, Entertainment, Spin Master
- Mentorship: Annie Bradley, Director and Writer
- Outstanding Achievement in Business: Nanci MacLean, Chief Operating Officer, MEM
- Special Jury Award of Distinction: Sandie Rinaldo, Anchor, CTV National News at 5:30
“As we celebrate our 38th year, the Crystal Awards continue to be a vital platform for recognizing the exceptional women and gender-diverse leaders who are shaping the future of our industry. Congratulations to our six inspiring honourees: Sharon, Joan, Jennifer, Annie, Nanci, and Sandie, each of whom has made a lasting impact on our community.”
—Karen Bruce, Executive Director of WIFT+ Toronto
Honourees are nominated by WIFT+ Toronto members and selected by a jury of esteemed industry peers. The 2025 jury included Pat DiVittorio, Umber Hamid, and Jocelyn Hamilton.
Tickets and Tables for the 2025 Crystal Awards are now available to purchase here.
The 2025 Crystal Awards Gala event is supported by:
Major Sponsors: NBCUniversal, Paramount+ Canada; Reception Sponsor: Lionsgate Canada; Supporting Sponsor: Cineplex; Event Sponsors: Blink49 Studios, DGC Ontario; Event Supporters: Banff World Media Festival, Cinespace Studios Toronto, City of Toronto, Gallagher, MAC, National Bank of Canada, Playback, Shaftesbury, Spin VFX, Take 5 Productions, Telefilm Canada; Design & Production Partner: Big Bang Beige; Vignette Producer: MEM
About the Honourees:
Sharon Lewis (Creative Excellence)
Sharon Lewis has reached the highest level of excellence both behind and in front of the camera for over 25 years. Nominated for Best Host on-screen, and with nine Canadian Screen Award nominations as a Director and Showrunner, she won Best Director for a Factual Series. She continues to place women of colour and Black queer women at the forefront of her storytelling. Her acclaimed debut feature Brown Girl Begins marked her as a visionary voice, and her work is featured in the Emmy and NAACP nominated How It Feels to Be Free. A trailblazer, Sharon is the only Black woman to direct Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, inspiring future generations of women creators.
Joan Jenkinson (Innovation Trailblazer)
Joan Jenkinson is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Black Screen Office, leading efforts to dismantle anti-Black racism and advance Black storytelling in Canada’s screen industries. She was one of The Hollywood Reporter’s Canada Top 25 Entertainment Dealmakers and Decision-Makers. Under her leadership, the BSO was named 2022 Changemaker Organization of the Year by Playback, and in 2025, BSO and Joan were spotlighted by TIFF as the Impact Support Agency, along with several other awards. As VP of Independent Production at VisionTV, she commissioned over 140 hours of programming annually and launched the DiverseTV initiative. Her first industry role was as Executive Director of WIFT+ Toronto, where she introduced mentorship and training programs that shifted the focus from short-term job-seeking to long-term career development.
Jennifer Dodge (International Achievement)
Jennifer Dodge is President of Spin Master Entertainment and Consumer Products, overseeing franchise growth, content creation, production, global distribution and consumer products. She executive produces multiple Spin Master series, including Unicorn Academy™ and PAW Patrol™— and is the P.G.A credited Producer on the PAW Patrol films – delivering two box office hits, with a third slated for 2026—alongside other projects expanding the studio’s animated slate. She also oversees licensed programs for properties such as Vida the Vet™, Tech Deck™, and Rubik’s Cube™. Recognized by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the ‘Most Influential Women in International Film,’ she was also named among the ‘Most Powerful Women in Canadian Entertainment.’
Annie Bradley (Mentorship)
Emmy-nominated Director, Annie Bradley, is known for her striking cinematic work and maverick storytelling. Included in The Hollywood Reporter’s inaugural Most Powerful Women in Canadian Entertainment List in 2024, she was also the recipient of the 2023 Trailblazer Award from the Firecracker Dept. She’s a proud member of the DGA, DGC, and currently serving her third term as Chair of DGC Ontario. She is also an alumna of TIFF, Sundance, the TIFF Talent Lab, TIFF Pitch This, CFC Directors Lab, Film Fatales, WIFT+ Toronto, Firecracker Dept, AWD, and WIDC. Annie continues to expand her international directing credits while developing a dynamic slate of film and TV content through her company The Heat Mansion.
Nanci MacLean (Outstanding Achievement in Business)
Nanci MacLean helps build cultural platforms that celebrate national talent. At Bell Media, she co-created The Social and Your Morning, and oversaw network favourites including Etalk, The Marilyn Denis Show, the MuchMusic Video Awards, and the Mighty franchise. As President of Pinewood Toronto Studios, she spearheaded its multimillion-dollar expansion. Today, as COO of MEM, she oversees expansive growth including international franchises such as Master Chef Canada, alongside originals like Renovation Resort and Narco Mennonites. A Harvard Business School alumna, Nanci balances creativity with fiscal discipline, setting a benchmark for Canadian television that is both ambitious and sustainable.
Sandie Rinaldo (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
Sandie Rinaldo is the Anchor of CTV National News at 5:30, the early evening newscast from CTV News. For more than five decades, she has guided viewers through major news – making history as the first woman in Canada to anchor a daily Canadian national newscast, and has also regularly reported investigative stories and profiles for Canada’s most-watched documentary series, W5. Her distinguished career has earned her national recognition, including a multitude of prestigious awards and nominations. She was inducted into the RTDNA Hall of Fame in 2023 and received the RTDNA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018, honouring her outstanding contributions to broadcast journalism.
Women in Film and Television – Toronto (WIFT+ Toronto) is a member-based, not-for-profit organization made up of passionate individuals who are dedicated to the education, engagement, and empowerment of all individuals at every stage of their careers in the screen-based media industry. It is WIFT+ Toronto’s mission to build and advance the careers of its members by providing professional development, peer support, and mentorship in collaboration with industry partners.
For more information, please contact:
Sora Chung
Communications & Social Media Coordinator
WIFT+ Toronto
647-895-3351
