Canadian Screen Awards announce special award winners

From a media release:

Academy Announces Special Award Winners and
the Inaugural John Dunning Discovery Award

  • Tantoo Cardinal, Simcha Jacobovici and Randall Okita
    to be honoured

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television today announced three Special Award recipients for the 2017 Canadian Screen Awards. Artist and filmmaker Randall Okita will be honoured with the inaugural John Dunning Discovery Award for The Lockpicker and additional Special Awards will be presented to prolific actor Tantoo Cardinal (Earle Grey Award), award-winning filmmaker and journalist Simcha Jacobovici (Gordon Sinclair Award for Broadcast Journalism). The Canadian Screen Awards will be broadcast live on CBC from Toronto’s Sony Centre for the Performing Arts on Sunday, March 12, 2017 at 8 pm (9 pm AT; 9:30 pm NT).

“Each year, the Academy recognizes a uniquely talented group of people for their indelible contributions to the Canadian media landscape,” said Beth Janson, CEO, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. “This year’s winners embody the spirit of Canadian artistry and we are honoured to celebrate their outstanding achievements, creativity and talent.”

“The Academy is proud to recognize this year’s recipients for their contribution to our screen-based industries. Voices such as theirs are reflective of Canada’s diverse range of talent and narratives,” said Academy Chair Martin Katz.

The John Dunning Award was created in collaboration with his son Greg Dunning to honour the legacy of the pioneering Canadian producer who co-founded Cinepix, the forerunner of Lionsgate, and boosted the careers of David Cronenberg and Ivan Reitman.

“My father always gave young people the opportunity to work in his productions. I am grateful to the Academy that we can continue his legacy with this award. This is a wonderful way to keep his enthusiasm alive by helping the careers of a new generation of filmmakers,” said Greg Dunning.

These Academy Special Awards—as well the previously announced Lifetime Achievement Award (Christopher Plummer) —will be presented during Canadian Screen Week (March 6 –12, 2017).

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