35th WIFT Toronto Crystal Awards Nominations and Luncheon Gala - December 6, 2022
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ABOUT
AWARD CATEGORIES
HOW TO NOMINATE
PAST RECIPIENTS
We are thrilled to be returning back in-person for our 35th anniversary of the incredible WIFT Toronto Crystal Awards. This year's luncheon gala is set to take place on Tuesday December 6, 2022 at Arcadian Court in downtown Toronto.
The Crystal Awards, established in 1988, is WIFT Toronto’s annual tribute gala to individuals making significant contributions in the Canadian screen-based media industry. Since its inception three and a half decades ago, more than 170 esteemed individuals have been recognized for excellence in creativity, innovation, and leadership: and their commitment to mentoring the next generation of creators and industry leaders.
2022 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Our 2022 Crystal Award recipients are:
Outstanding Achievement In Business: Jocelyn Hamilton - President, Canada, eOne Television at Entertainment One
Creative Excellence Award: Sarah Polley - Director, Writer, Author, Actor
Mentorship Award sponsored by Company 3: Frances-Anne Solomon - Writer, Producer, Director
Digital Trailblazer Award: Ramona Pringle - Digital Journalist, Multi-Platform Producer, Professor
Special Jury Award of Distinction: Christa Dickenson - President & CEO, CPAC (Cable Public Affairs Channel)
2022 HOST
Our 2022 Crystal Awards Host is Amanda Brugel
2022 SPONSORS & PARTNERS
WIFT Toronto thanks the following 35th Annual Crystal Awards partners and sponsors for their support:
Reception Sponsor: eOne
Event Sponsors: City of Toronto, Ontario Creates, Paramount+ Canada, Spin Master Ltd., Telefilm Canada, and WildBrain
Event Supporters: Bell Media, M.A.C. Cosmetics, NABET 700-M UNIFOR, Take 5 Productions, and William F. White
Design & Production Partner: Big Bang Beige
Want to join us in illuminating enterprising and barrier-breaking women in Canada's film, TV and digital media industry? Contact us today to inquire about sponsorship opportunities. We look forward to partnering with you!
“The Crystal Awards creates a wonderful opportunity to recognize women and their accomplishments, as well as inspire others. I was deeply honoured to be the recipient of the inaugural Digital Trailblazer Crystal Award.” ~LUCIE LALUMIÈRE, FOUNDER & PRINCIPAL, LALUMIÈRE MEDIA
CREATIVE EXCELLENCE
This award recognizes the dynamic quality of the recipient’s work in the screen-based media. Their recent work has gained national and/or international attention in the previous year and has established a standard for those working in the industry.
Past recipients include: Jennifer Holness, Masha Green, Mary Young Leckie, Edwina Follows, Mary Harron, Michelle Crespi, Christina Piovesan, Sally Catto, Semi Chellas, Julie Bristow, Shelley Saywell, Tassie Cameron
DIGITAL TRAILBLAZER
This award recognizes the recipient’s significant contributions to Canada's digital and interactive media industry, as demonstrated by their creativity and leadership—including but not limited to, idea generation, content creation, distribution, technology, audience engagement, and funding models.
Past recipients include: Ana Serrano, Sue Haas, Kim Gibson, Deb Day, Diane Williamson, Barbara Bailie, Lucie Lalumière
INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Presented to a woman in recognition of her significant and well-renowned body of work in Canada and abroad.
Past recipients include: Esta Spalding, Anne Dorval, Mia Kirshner, Sarah Gadon, Samantha Bee, Shirley Douglas, Catherine O’Hara, and Sandra Oh.
MENTORSHIP
This award recognizes the recipient’s outstanding contribution to motivating and building the careers of emerging and mid-career individuals in the screen-based media industry. The recipient has guided and supported emerging professionals and has been a role model assisting entrepreneurs in growing their own companies.
Past recipients include: Anita Lee, Jennifer Kawaja, Alison Duke, Zoe Dirse, Karen Walton, Deborah Osborne, Ken Dhaliwal, Corrie Coe, Jay Switzer, Lalita Krishna, Susan Ross, Carol Whiteman, Lisa Meeches.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN BUSINESS
This award recognizes the recipient who- through the consistent quality of their work- has made a major contribution to the screen-based media industry as a leader in enterprise development. They have built a culture of excellence; inspiring colleagues to push the boundaries of innovation.
Past recipients include: Jane Tattersall, Beth Janson, Tammy Frick, Grace Carnale-Davis, Mary Bredin, Tracey Pearce, Joy Rosen, Barbara Bowlby, Margaret O'Brien, Anne Marie La Traverse, Noreen Halpern.
SPECIAL JURY AWARD OF DISTINCTION
Presented to an individual who has build a legacy as a ground-breaking force in our industry and whose life’s work is dedicated to building a vibrant, accessible, diverse, and active creative community.
Past recipients include: Dr. Shirley Cheechoo C.M.,Marci Len. maxine bailey, Karen Thorne-Stone (Ontario Creates), Tonya Williams (ReelWorld Film Festival), Pat Ellingson (formerly, TVO), Susan Cavan (Accent Entertainment), and Trina McQueen (broadcasting industry pioneer).
WIFT Toronto Members are invited to nominate exceptional leaders in their sphere who have a minimum of 10 years of experience in the screen-based industry, for a 2022 Crystal Award.
Nominations for the 2022 Crystal Awards are now closed. Check back in Summer 2023 for nomination information for the 2023 Crystal Awards.
Crystal Award recipients are selected by an independent jury of past Crystal Awards recipients. Please review this list before submitting your nomination. Previous winners can be nominated again; however, preference will be given to first time nominees (recipients within the past 5 years are not eligible)
Email the following documents in PDF format to Venessa Harris at vharris@wift.com (reference :2022 Crystal Award Nomination” in the subject line):
Maximum one-page summary of the nominee’s three most significant contributions to the screen-based industry— film, television and/or digital media
Maximum 500-word Bio of nominee
Minimum of two (2), maximum of five (5) personal testimonial letters outlining the impact of the nominee on those individuals' careers (these letters should not be from the individual submitting application).
Please submit your files in PDF format and name them in the following template order:
CRYSTAL2022 - Full Name of nominee - Bio.pdfExample:
CRYSTAL2022 - Jane Talent - Contributions.pdf
CRYSTAL2022 - Jane Talent - Bio.pdf
CRYSTAL2022 - Jane Talent - Testimonial1.pdf
Clearly state at the beginning of your email in which category you are submitting your candidate. (A description of each of the award categories can be found above)
Creative Excellence
Digital Trailblazer
International Achievement
Mentorship
Outstanding Achievement in Business
Deadline for Nominations: Friday September 9, 2022 @5 PM EDT
Questions? Please contact Venessa Harris, Administrative Assistant, at vharris@wift.com
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Karen Bruce, Executive Director, at kbruce@wift.com
NOMINEE ELIGIBILITY CHECKLIST
Please review carefully before submitting your nomination.
Canadian Citizen, Landed Immigrant, or Permanent Resident
Minimum 10 years in the screen-based industry (film, television and/or digital media)
Current WIFT Toronto Board Members are not eligible for nomination
Recipients within the past five years are not eligible for nomination
NOTE
You must be a WIFT Toronto member in good standing to nominate an individual for a Crystal Award; however, the person being nominated does not have to be a current WIFT Toronto member. Candidates may only be nominated in one category.
2021
Jane Tattersall (Outstanding Achievement in Business)
Anita Lee (Mentorship)
Ana Serrano (Digital Trailblazer)
Jennifer Holness (Creative Excellence)
Dr. Shirley Cheechoo C. (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2020
Beth Janson (Outstanding Achievement in Business)
Jennifer Kawaja (Mentorship)
Sue Haas (Digital Trailblazer)
Marsha Greene (Creative Excellence)
Marci Ien (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2019
Tammy Frick (Outstanding Achievement in Business)
Esta Spalding (International Achievement)
Alison Duke (Mentorship)
Kim Gibson (Digital Trailblazer)
Mary Young Leckie (Creative Excellence)
maxine bailey (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2018
Edwina Follows (Creative Excellence)
Grace Carnale-Davis (Outstanding Achievement in Business)
Zoe Dirse (Mentorship)
Deb Day (Digital Trailblazer)
Karen Thorne-Stone (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2017
Mary Harron (Creative Excellence)
Mary Bredin (Outstanding Achievement in Business)
Karen Walton (Mentorship)
Diane Williamson (Digital Trailblazer)
Tonya Williams (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2016
Michelle Crespi (Creative Excellence)
Tracey Pearce (Outstanding Achievement in Business)
Deborah Osborne (Mentorship)
Barbara Bailie (Digital Trailblazer)
Pat Ellingson (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2015
Christina Piovesan (Creative Excellence)
Lisa Olfman & Joy Rosen (Outstanding Achievement in Business)
Ken Dhaliwal (Mentorship)
Lucie Lalumiere (Digital Trailblazer)
Susan Cavan (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2014
Sally Catto (Creative Excellence)
Barbara Bowlby (Outstanding Achievement in Business)
Corrie Coe (Mentorship)
Trina McQueen (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
Anne Dorval (International Achievement)
2013
Semi Chellas (Creative Excellence)
Margaret O’Brien (Outstanding Achievement in Business)
Lalita Krishna (Mentorship)
Sheila Hockin (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
Mia Kirshner (International Achievement)
2012
Tara Ellis (Creative Excellence)
Susan Ross (Mentorship)
Anne Marie La Traverse (Outstanding Achievement)
Mary Ellen Carlyle (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
Sarah Gadon (International Achievement)
2011
Julie Bristow (Creative Excellence)
Noreen Halpern (Outstanding Achievement)
Carol Whiteman (Mentorship)
Samantha Bee (International Achievement)
2010
Lesley Harrison (Mentorship)
Jill Hennessy (International Achievement)
Laurie May (Outstanding Achievement)
Shelley Saywell (Creative Excellence)
2009
Tassie Cameron (Creative Excellence)
Shirley Douglas (International Achievement)
Lisa Meeches (Mentorship)
Christine Shipton (Outstanding Achievement)
Christa Singer (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2008
Catherine O’Hara (International Achievement)
Kit Redmond (Mentorship)
Sandi Ross (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
Virginia Thompson (Creative Excellence)
Barb Williams (Outstanding Achievement)
2007
Tecca Crosby (Mentorship)
Ilana Frank (Creative Excellence)
Judy Gladstone (Outstanding Achievement)
Toni Myers (Outstanding Achievement)
Sandra Oh (International Achievement)
Claire Prieto (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2006
Jennifer Baichwal (Creative Excellence)
Jeanne Beker (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
Karen Gelbart (Mentorship)
Christina Jennings (Outstanding Achievement)
Linda Schuyler (International Achievement)
2005
Gail Asper (Outstanding Achievement)
Arsinee Khanjian (Creative Excellence)
Bonnie Sherr Klein (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
Bill Mustos (Mentorship)
Kelly Rowan (International Achievement)
2004
Kim Cattrall (International Achievement)
Dianne Schwalm (Phyllis Switzer Mentorship Award)
Maria Topalovich (Outstanding Achievement Award)
Debbie Travis (Creative Excellence Award)
2003
Isme Bennie (Outstanding Achievement)
Kathryn Emslie (Mentorship)
Deepa Mehta (Award for Creative Excellence)
Cynthia Reyes (Outstanding Achievement)
2002
Norm Bolen (Friend of WIFT Toronto Award)
Phyllis Platt (Outstanding Achievement Award)
2001
Silva Basmajian (Outstanding Achievement)
Rebecca Jenkins (Creative Excellence)
Janis Lundman & Adrienne Mitchell (Excellence in Production)
Don MacLean (Friend of WIFT Toronto Award)
Laura Michalchyshyn (Excellence in Mentorship/Professional Development)
2000
Susanne Boyce (Professional Development)
Wendy Crewson (Creative Excellence)
Christina Ford (Excellence in Production)
Paul Gratton (Friend of WIFT Toronto Award)
Jane Tattersall (Excellence in Production)
Phyllis Yaffe (Lifetime Achievement)
1999
Wayne Clarkson (Friend of WIFT Toronto Award)
Camelia Frieberg (Excellence in Production)
Jan Miller (Excellence in Training or Professional Development)
Annabel Slaight (Lifetime Achievement)
Stacey Stewart Curtis (Excellence in Training or Professional Development)
“The Crystal Awards creates a wonderful opportunity to recognize women and their accomplishments, as well as inspire others. I was deeply honoured to be the recipient of the inaugural Digital Trailblazer Crystal Award.”
~Lucie Lalumière, Founder & Principal, Lalumière Media
Mary Harron (Creative Excellence) on stage- Photo Credit: Eddy Perez
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