The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television Awards

Every year, the Genie Awards are given out by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television to recognize the achievements of Canadian films, filmmakers and other movie talent. The Genie Award is the highest national film honor awarded in Canada, and in many ways the Canadian equivalent of the Oscars in the U.S.

The awards began in 1949 as the Canadian Film Awards, which were given out by the Canadian Association for Adult Education. In 1979, the academy was founded and took over the awards duties, renaming it the Genie Awards in 1980.

Genie Award candidates are judged by their peers and members of the academy. They meet and screen submitted works, select nominees, and academy members then vote on the nominations.

Award Categories

The Genie Awards provide recognition for excellence in cinematography, direction, acting, art direction, costume design, editing and music. Some of the categories include Best Motion Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Animated Short and Best Documentary.

Additionally, the Golden Reel Award is given to the producers of the highest-grossing film in Canada. The Claude Jutra Award is presented to the year's best film by a first-time director. Genie Award winning films include "The Triplets of Belleville," "Away from Her," "Heaven on Earth" and "Naked Lunch."

The Genie Statue

Winners are given a Genie statue created by sculptor Sorel Etrog. According to Etrog, the bronze figure represents the idea of taking a concept and creating a visual reality out of it the same way a sculpture is created.

Attending the Genie Awards

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television aims to increase public appreciation of Canadian film and television productions through its award programs. The award show was traditionally telecast live on the CBC, but is now aired on IFC in America.

The ceremony is held at various locations around Canada, and is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased by nominees, industry partners and nonmembers by phone or online.

Sources:

www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0010393

www.academy.ca

www.genieawards.ca