Established in 1988, the Crystal Awards are WIFT+ Toronto’s annual tribute to individuals whose exceptional contributions have helped shape Canada’s screen-based media industry. For nearly four decades, the awards have celebrated more than 190 individuals for their achievements in creativity, innovation and leadership, as well as their commitment to mentoring and supporting the next generation of industry creators and leaders.
Tuesday, November 24, 2026
Fairmont Royal York, Toronto
11 AM - 3 PM
2026 Crystal Awards Honourees:
Creative Excellence: Iris Ng, Director of Photography
Innovation Trailblazer: Valerie Creighton, C.M., S.O.M., President & Chief Executive Officer, Canada Media Fund
International Achievement:Magda Grace, Head of Content Acquisition and Partnerships, International at Prime Video
Mentorship: Lea Marin, Manager of Content, Netflix Canada
Outstanding Achievement in Business:Samantha Traub, Head of Business & Legal Affairs and General Counsel, Boat Rocker Studios
Special Jury Award of Distinction: Tracy Moore, Media Personality
2026 TICKETS AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 29
Member Individual Seats: $400.00
(check your discounts and offers page for your exclusive member code!)
Non-Member Individual Seats: $550.00
Tables (10 seats): $5,000.00
*If you have any questions about ticketing please reach out to Venessa Harris, Executive Assistant at vharris@wift.com.
Please let us know how we can ensure your accessibility, safety, and comfort by contacting Jody Anderson, Program & Special Events Coordinator at janderson@wift.com by Friday, November 6th, 2026 at 5:00pm ET and we will do our best to accommodate you.
2026 Sponsors and Partners
WIFT+ Toronto thanks the following 39th Annual Crystal Award sponsors for their support:
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!
2026 HONOUREES
Creative Excellence
Iris Ng
Director of Photography
Iris Ng is a Director of Photography whose focus is to elevate non-dominant narratives through the craft of Cinematography. She has built a career using her camera to embody different perspectives through a variety of film media and methods and is highly respected by collaborators, past and present. Starting in 2007, Iris and director Sarah Polley intricately and intimately crafted Stories We Tell to more recently another deeply personal film, There Are No Words with director Min Sook Lee. Between those years, Iris has lensed over 60 feature documentaries, scripted series, and films for artists, as well as being the first woman of colour to become a member of IATSE 667 as a Director of Photography in 2015. With her curiosity, empathy and sensitivity towards those in front of the camera Iris focuses her unwavering artistic vision towards equity and diversity in all the projects she works on.
Innovation Trailblazer
Valerie Creighton, C.M., S.O.M.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Media Fund
Valerie Creighton is an industry leader in arts and culture, known for reenergizing some of the country’s most important organizations. An expert in organizational change, she has been recognized as a visionary in promoting Canada’s cultural wealth. Among many accolades, Valerie was invested into the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 2016 and the Order of Canada in 2019. In 2022, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Regina and was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal by her home province of Saskatchewan. In 2024, the Indigenous Screen Office honoured her with a blanket ceremony and Elder Vincent Yellow Old Woman of the Siksika Nation bestowed upon Valerie his deceased sister’s name—Ayitapyaki, Courageous Woman—a great honour given in recognition of her advocacy for Indigenous creators. In 2025, Valerie was the recipient of the Reelworld Foundation’s first-ever Ally Award. Most recently, she was named to two of The Hollywood Reporter 2026 lists: Most Powerful Women in Canadian Entertainment and Canada’s Top 25 Entertainment Dealmakers.
INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Magda Grace
Head of Content Acquisition and Partnerships, International at Prime Video
Magda Grace serves as Head of Content Acquisition and Partnerships, International, at Prime Video, overseeing content strategy across EMEA, LATAM, Canada, and Australia, spanning SVOD, subscriptions, TVOD, and FAST businesses. Grace previously built Prime Video's Canadian operations from the ground up, launching Canada's first SVOD aggregator, and secured exclusive rights to the National Hockey League and International Cricket Council. Before Amazon, she held senior leadership roles at STARZ and ICM Partners. Grace holds a Master of Law from UCLA, a Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Civil Law from McGill University, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto. Recognized by The Hollywood Reporter, Toronto Life, and Maclean's for her industry leadership, Grace champions diverse voices in entertainment through partnerships with organizations including the Indigenous Screen Office and Reelworld.
MENTORSHIP
Lea Marin
Head of Content, Netflix
Lea Marin is an accomplished creative executive and producer with more than two decades of experience championing exceptional Canadian storytelling. She is currently a Manager of Content at Netflix working with the Canadian team on the development of new projects and their ongoing production slate. Prior to joining Netflix, Lea spent more than five years at CBC as Director of Development, Drama, where she oversaw a diverse slate of scripted programming, including series such as Saint-Pierre, Wild Cards, and Allegiance. A graduate of the Canadian Film Centre's Producers' Lab, Lea previously served as a Senior Producer at the National Film Board of Canada, where she developed and produced award-winning documentaries and interactive projects. Her producing credits include Ever Deadly, co-created by Tanya Tagaq and Chelsea McMullan, and Charles Officer's Unarmed Verses.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN BUSINESS
Samantha Traub
Head of Business & Legal Affairs and General Counsel, Boat Rocker Studios
Samantha Traub is Head of Business & Legal Affairs and General Counsel of Boat Rocker Studios. Boat Rocker's longest-standing employee, Sam joined the company in 2007 from Goodmans LLP, where she practiced entertainment and corporate law. In her tenure at Boat Rocker, Sam has overseen all business and legal affairs aspects of the development, financing, production and exploitation of thousands of hours of content, including the company’s franchise series, Orphan Black, The Next Step, and Dino Ranch. Sam provides leadership on M&A for Boat Rocker, having managed multiple acquisitions in Canada, the US and the UK. She was a key member of the teams that took Boat Rocker public in 2021 and completed the complex management buy-out and take-private of Boat Rocker Studios in 2025. Samantha is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School (with distinctions) and is called to the bar in Ontario and New York. In 2026, she was named an Excellence Awardee for the Lawson Lundell LLP Award for Law Department Leader of the Year.
SPECIAL JURY AWARD OF DISTINCTION
Tracy Moore
Media Personality
Tracy Moore is best known as the former host of Canada’s award-winning lifestyle show Cityline, where she connected deeply with millions of viewers over sixteen years. Over the years the accolades have poured in; an appointment to the Order of Ontario; RBC Black Diamond Ball’s “Media Icon Award,”; the Canadian Academy of Cinema and Television’s Changemaker Award and McGill’s Impact Award to name a few. In 2020, she co-produced and co-hosted Citytv’s award-winning special, Ending Racism: What Will it Take? Beyond a robust career, Tracy has always made time for community. Working with the Grocery Foundation, the Children’s Aid Foundation and Toronto-based charity, Trust15, has been profoundly rewarding. Tracy was born and raised in Richmond Hill, Ontario, by Jamaican-Canadian parents. While pursuing her passion for storytelling and advocacy relentlessly, she never forgets where and who she comes from. She lives in Toronto with her husband, two children and beloved dog, Ozzie.
Honourees are nominated by WIFT+ Toronto members and selected by a jury of esteemed industry peers. The 2026 jury included Tammy Frick,Nellie Lindner, and Nanci Maclean.
Tuesday, November 24, 2026
Fairmont Royal York
11 AM - 3 PM
2026 TICKET PRICES
Member Individual Seats: $400.00
(check your discounts and offers page for your exclusive member code!)
Non-Member Individual Seats: $550.00
Tables (10 seats): $5,000.00
*If you have any questions about ticketing please reach out to Venessa Harris, Executive Assistant at vharris@wift.com.
Please let us know how we can ensure your accessibility, safety, and comfort by contacting Jody Anderson, Program & Special Events Coordinator at janderson@wift.com by Friday, November 13th, 2026 at 5:00pm ET and we will do our best to accommodate you.
WIFT+ TORONTO CRYSTAL AWARD DESCRIPTIONS
CREATIVE EXCELLENCE
Presented to an individual in recognition of dynamic quality of their work in screen-based media. Their work has gained national and/or international attention in the previous year, and has established a standard for those working in the industry.
Past winners include Sharon Lewis, Marilyn Denis, Sarah Polley, Jennifer Holness, Mary Young Leckie, Edwina Follows, Mary Harron, Christina Piovesan, Sally Catto, and Semi Chellas.
INNOVATION AWARD
This award honours individuals who demonstrate forward-thinking leadership, creativity, and originality in pushing the boundaries of their respective field(s). For example, this could be a leader that: embraces or develops new technologies; is a pioneer around their approach to storytelling; champions equity, diversity and/or inclusion; creating or inventing new ways to build a more sustainable industry —essentially someone that has or is doing groundbreaking work that pushes the innovation in our industry forward
For example, this could be a leader that: embraces or develops new technologies; is a pioneer around their approach to storytelling; champions equity, diversity and/or inclusion; or creating/inventing new ways to build a more sustainable industry—essentially someone that has or is doing groundbreaking work that pushes the innovation in our industry forward.
The first three recipients of this award were Neishaw Ali in 2023, Gurbani Marwah in 2024, and Joan Jenkinson in 2025.
INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT
This award is presented to an individual in recognition of their significant and well-renowned body of work not only in Canada but across the globe.
Past winners include Jennifer Dodge, Adrienne Arsenault, Missy Peregrym, Esta Spalding, Anne Dorval, Mia Krishner, Sarah Gadon, Samantha Bee, Shirley Douglas, Catherine O'Hara, and Sandra Oh.
MENTORSHIP
Presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to building women's careers in the screen-based media industry. They vocally support women's advancement, offer guidance and support to emerging professionals, and assist women entrepreneurs in growing their own companies.
Past winners include Annie Bradley, Pat Divittorio, Margot Daley, Frances-Anne Solomon, Anita Lee, Alison Duke, Zoe Dirse, Karen Walton, Ken Dhaliwal, Deborah Osborne, Corrie Coe, and Lalita Krishna.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN BUSINESS
Presented to an individual 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 by inspiring their colleagues to push the boundaries of innovation.
Past winners include Nanci MacLean, Victoria Harding, Jocelyn Hamilton, Beth Janson, Tammy Frick, Grace-Carnale Davis, Mary Bredin, Tracey Pearce, Lisa Olfman, Joy Rosen, and Barbara Bowlby.
SPECIAL JURY AWARD OF DISTINCTION (Only the Jury can nominate an individual for this category)
This additional award may be distributed at the discretion of the jury. The award is presented to an individual who has built a legacy as a ground-breaking force in our industry and whose life's work is dedicated to building a vibrant, diverse, and active creative community.
Past winners include Sandie Rinaldo, Catherine Tait, Christa Dickenson, Dr. Shirley Cheechoo, maxine bailey, Karen Thorne-Stone, Tonya Williams , Pat Ellingson , Susan Cavan , and Trina McQueen
2025
Sharon Lewis (Creative Excellence Award)
Joan Jenkinson (Innovation Trailblazer Award)
Jennifer Dodge (International Achievement)
Annie Bradley (Mentorship Award)
Nanci MacLean (Outstanding Achievement In Business)
Sandie Rinaldo (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2024
Lesley Barber (Creative Excellence)
Gurbani Marwah (Innovation Trailblazer)
Adrienne Arsenault (International Achievement)
Pat Divittorio (Mentorship Award)
Agnes Augustin (Outstanding Achievement in Business)
Joy Lowen (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2023
Marilyn Denis (Creative Excellence)
Neishaw Ali (Innovation Trailblazer)
Missy Peregrym (International Achievement)
Margot Daley (Mentorship Award)
Victoria Harding (Outstanding Achievement in Business)
Catherine Tait (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2022
Sarah Polley (Creative Excellence)
Ramona Pringle (Digital Trailblazer)
Frances-Anne Solomon (Mentorship Award sponsored by Company 3)
Jocelyn Hamilton (Outstanding Achievement in Business)
Christa Dickenson (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2021
Jennifer Holness (Creative Excellence)
Ana Serrano (Digital Trailblazer)
Anita Lee (Mentorship)
Jane Tattersall (Outstanding Achievement in Business)
Dr. Shirley Cheechoo C.M. (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2020
Marsha Greene (Creative Excellence)
Sue Haas (Digital Trailblazer)
Jennifer Kawaja (Mentorship)
Beth Janson (Outstanding Achievement in Business)
Marci Ien (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2019
Mary Young Leckie (Creative Excellence)
Kim Gibson (Digital Trailblazer)
Esta Spalding (International Achievement)
Alison Duke (Mentorship)
Tammy Frick (Outstanding Achievement in Business)
maxine bailey (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2018
Edwina Follows (Creative Excellence)
Deb Day (Digital Trailblazer)
Zoe Dirse (Mentorship)
Grace Carnale-Davis (Outstanding Achievement in Business)
Karen Thorne-Stone (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2017
Mary Harron (Creative Excellence)
Diane Williamson (Digital Trailblazer)
Karen Walton (Mentorship)
Mary Bredin (Outstanding Achievement in Business)
Tonya Williams (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2016
Michelle Crespi (Creative Excellence)
Barbara Bailie (Digital Trailblazer)
Deborah Osborne (Mentorship)
Tracey Pearce (Outstanding Achievement in Business)
Pat Ellingson (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2015
Christina Piovesan (Creative Excellence)
Lucie Lalumiere (Digital Trailblazer)
Ken Dhaliwal (Mentorship)
Lisa Olfman & Joy Rosen (Outstanding Achievement in Business)
Susan Cavan (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2014
Sally Catto (Creative Excellence)
Anne Dorval (International Achievement)
Corrie Coe (Mentorship)
Barbara Bowlby (Outstanding Achievement in Business)
Trina McQueen (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2013
Semi Chellas (Creative Excellence)
Mia Kirshner (International Achievement)
Lalita Krishna (Mentorship)
Margaret O’Brien (Outstanding Achievement in Business)
Sheila Hockin (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2012
Tara Ellis (Creative Excellence)
Sarah Gadon (International Achievement)
Susan Ross (Mentorship)
Anne Marie La Traverse (Outstanding Achievement)
Mary Ellen Carlyle (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2011
Julie Bristow (Creative Excellence)
Samantha Bee (International Achievement)
Carol Whiteman (Mentorship)
Noreen Halpern (Outstanding Achievement)
2010
Shelley Saywell (Creative Excellence)
Jill Hennessy (International Achievement)
Lesley Harrison (Mentorship)
Laurie May (Outstanding Achievement)
2009
Tassie Cameron (Creative Excellence)
Shirley Douglas (International Achievement)
Lisa Meeches (Mentorship)
Christine Shipton (Outstanding Achievement)
Christa Singer (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2008
Virginia Thompson (Creative Excellence)
Catherine O’Hara (International Achievement)
Kit Redmond (Mentorship)
Barb Williams (Outstanding Achievement)
Sandi Ross (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2007
Ilana Frank (Creative Excellence)
Sandra Oh (International Achievement)
Tecca Crosby (Mentorship)
Judy Gladstone (Outstanding Achievement)
Toni Myers (Outstanding Achievement)
Claire Prieto (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2006
Jennifer Baichwal (Creative Excellence)
Linda Schuyler (International Achievement)
Karen Gelbart (Mentorship)
Christina Jennings (Outstanding Achievement)
Jeanne Beker (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2005
Arsinee Khanjian (Creative Excellence)
Kelly Rowan (International Achievement)
Bill Mustos (Mentorship)
Gail Asper (Outstanding Achievement)
Bonnie Sherr Klein (Special Jury Award of Distinction)
2004
Debbie Travis (Creative Excellence Award)
Kim Cattrall (International Achievement)
Maria Topalovich (Outstanding Achievement Award)
Dianne Schwalm (Phyllis Switzer Mentorship Award)
2003
Deepa Mehta (Award for Creative Excellence)
Kathryn Emslie (Mentorship)
Isme Bennie (Outstanding Achievement)
Cynthia Reyes (Outstanding Achievement)
2002
Norm Bolen (Friend of WIFT Toronto Award)
Phyllis Platt (Outstanding Achievement Award)
2001
Rebecca Jenkins (Creative Excellence)
Laura Michalchyshyn (Excellence in Mentorship/Professional Development)
Janis Lundman & Adrienne Mitchell (Excellence in Production)
Don MacLean (Friend of WIFT Toronto Award)
Silva Basmajian (Outstanding Achievement)
2000
Wendy Crewson (Creative Excellence)
Christina Ford (Excellence in Production)
Jane Tattersall (Excellence in Production)
Paul Gratton (Friend of WIFT Toronto Award)
Phyllis Yaffe (Lifetime Achievement)
Susanne Boyce (Professional Development)
1999
Camelia Frieberg (Excellence in Production)
Jan Miller (Excellence in Training or Professional Development)
Stacey Stewart Curtis (Excellence in Training or Professional Development)
“We are not each other's competition. We are each other's cheerleaders, we are each other's kitchen cabinet and support system"
maxine bailey, Executive Director, Canadian Film Centre (CFC) and 2019 Crystal Awards Special Jury Award of Distinction honouree
Photo Credit: Audrey Persaud
Photo Credit: Audrey Persaud
Photo Credit: Heather Pollock
Image Credit: Heather Pollock
2024 Crystal Awards – Credit Heather Pollock
Image Credit: Darren Goldstein
Image Credit: Heather Pollock
Photo Credit: Heather Pollock
Photo Credit: Heather Pollock
Photo Credit: Heather Pollock
Photo Credit: Heather Pollock
2024 Crystal Awards – Credit Heather Pollock
Photo Credit: Heather Pollock
Photo Credit: Heather Pollock
Photo Credit: Heather Pollock
Mary Harron (Creative Excellence) on stage- Photo Credit: Eddy Perez
Image Credit: Heather Pollock
Image Credit: Heather Pollock
Image Credit: Heather Pollock
2007 Crystal Awards- Photo Credit Unknown
Image Credit: Darren Goldstein
2007 Crystal Awards- Photo Credit Unknown
2009 Crystal Awards- Photo Credit Unknown
Photo Credit Unknown
Image Credit: Darren Goldstein
Photo Credit Unknown
Image Credit: Darren Goldstein
2012 Crystal Awards- Photo Credit Unknown
2013 Crystal Awards- Photo Credit Unknown
Image Credit: Darren Goldstein
2018 Crystal Awards- Photo Credit Eddy Perez
2018 Crystal Awards- Photo Credit Eddy Perez
2018 Crystal Awards- Photo Credit Eddy Perez
2018 Crystal Awards- Photo Credit Eddy Perez
2011 Crystal Awards- Photo Credit Eddy Perez
2009 Crystal Awards- Photo Credit Unknown
2014 Crystals- Photo Credit Eddy Perez
Image Credit: Darren Goldstein
2019 Crystal Awards- Photo Credit Kowthar Omar
2019 Crystal Awards- Photo Credit Kowthar Omar
2019 Crystal Awards- Photo Credit Kowthar Omar
2019 Crystal Awards- Photo Credit Kowthar Omar
2019 Crystal Awards- Photo Credit Kowthar Omar
2019 Crystal Awards- Photo Credit Kowthar Omar
2011 Crystal Awards Photo by Eduardo Perreira
2022 Crystal Awards- Photo by Philippe Guerreiro
Image Credit: Joei Lyn-Piluso
Image Credit: Joei Lyn-Piluso
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