The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television () is a Canadian nonprofit organization created in 1979 to recognize the achievements of the over 4,000 Canadian film industry and television industry professionals, most notably through the Canadian Screen Awards. The mandate of the Academy is to honour outstanding achievements; to heighten public awareness of and increase audience attendance of and appreciation of Canadian film and television productions; and to provide critically needed, high-quality professional development programs, conferences and publications.
Background Since 2012, the Academy's primary national awards program is the Canadian Screen Awards, which were announced that year as a replacement for the formerly distinct Genie Award (for film) and Gemini Award (for television) ceremonies. The Prix Gémeaux for French-language television remains a separate awards program. The organization also administers the Prism Prize for music videos.Nick Krewen, "The Prism Prize began just as TV music videos were waning, but TikTok has given it new prominence". Toronto Star, July 30, 2021.
The chief executive officer is Tammy Frick.Etan Vlessing, "Tammy Frick Named CEO of Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television". The Hollywood Reporter, October 5, 2022. The organization's previous CEO was Beth Janson, who left in April 2022 to take a job as chief operating officer of the Toronto International Film Festival.Barry Hertz, "TIFF appoints film industry veterans Beth Janson and Anita Lee to new leadership roles". The Globe and Mail, April 21, 2022.
Since December 2023, the chair of the board of directors is Thomas Santram and the vice-chair is Solange Attwood. The previous chair was John Young of Boat Rocker Media.Jeremy Kay, "John Young elected chair of Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television". Screen Daily, October 4, 2019.
Milestones
1979 – The Academy of Canadian Cinema is established 1980 – The Etrog is renamed the Genie Award 1980 – The 1st Genie Awards ceremony is held 1985 – The organization is renamed the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television 1986 – The Gemini Award statuette is unveiled 1987 – The 1st Prix Gémeaux ceremony is held 1993 – The Claude Jutra Award is established to recognize first time directors Following the February 2016 publication of Yves Lever's biography of Jutra, containing allegations that Jutra had sexually abused underage children during his lifetime, the Academy announced that it was removing Jutra's name from the award."Claude Jutra's name to be pulled from Quebec film awards" . Ottawa Citizen, February 17, 2016. The award is now called the John Dunning Best First Feature Award."Canadian Screen Awards leave Hollywood behind". The Globe and Mail, January 16, 2018. 1995 – The Academy's official website, academy.ca, goes online 2003 – Digital Media Awards are introduced at the 2010 Gemini Awards 2008 – The Prix Gémeaux ceremony is webcast 2012 – The Academy announces the merger of its Gemini and Genie Awards programs into the Canadian Screen Awards
See also Canadian television awards Cinema of Canada National Film Board of Canada Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
References
External links Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television website
CBC Digital Archives – Bright Lights, Political Fights: The Canadian Film Industry