Telefilm Canada and Maison Birks pay tribute to the year’s 10 Canadian women directors and actors at the Toronto International Film Festival

Montreal, August 29, 2013 – Ten Canadian women directors and actors who have had an outstanding year have been selected for tribute by a pan-Canadian selection committee made up of journalists specializing in the arts, culture and entertainment. The 10 women will be honoured on September 11, 2013, at the Maison Birks’ Bloor Street W. store in Toronto during the inaugural Birks Diamond Tribute to the Year’s Women in Film, in partnership with Telefilm Canada. Directors Louise Archambault, Deepa Mehta, Alanis Obomsawin, Sarah Polley and Chloé Robichaud, as well as actresses Évelyne Brochu, Geneviève Bujold, Sarah Gadon, Jessica Paré and Alison Pill, were selected for this honour.

Members of the selection committee chose five honourees in each category from a list of nominees, taking account of the impact of their achievements and talent; the recognition they have received from recognized organizations as well as from their peers; and the visibility they have brought Canada over the last year. Nominees were also required to have either directed or appeared in a production during the past year.

“This partnership with Maison Birks offers us a new opportunity to recognize these remarkable women’s artistic talent and the major contribution they provide to our industry,” said Carolle Brabant, Executive Director of Telefilm Canada. “Because the world’s attention is focused on the Festival, the time is perfect to celebrate the successes of our creative talent, who distinguish themselves not only in Canada but around the world.”

“We are delighted to renew our partnership with Telefilm Canada this year in order to highlight the important contribution of Canadian women filmmakers in the context of the Festival,” said Jean-Christophe Bédos, President and Chief Executive Officer of Birks & Mayors. “Canadian women filmmakers and actors help our country shine brilliantly around the world—the same way that Canadian diamonds make us proud on the international scene! The Toronto International Film Festival is synonymous with glamour, with prestige, and especially with Canadian success. That’s why this partnership is a natural for Maison Birks.”

Jury
The pan-Canadian jury is made up of renowned journalists covering the arts, cultural and entertainment fields: Maxime Demers (Le Journal de Montréal), Manon Dumais (Voir), Noreen Flanagan (Elle Canada), Peter Howell (Toronto Star), Brian Johnson (Maclean’s), Bruce Kirkland (Toronto Sun), Marc-André Lussier (La Presse), Katherine Monk (Postmedia), Andrea Nemetz (The Chronicle Herald), Tamy Emma Pepin (Citytv), Odile Tremblay (Le Devoir) and Marni Weisz (Cineplex Magazine).

FanZone
Starting at 4 p.m. on September 11, the public will be invited to meet with honourees on the red carpet at the FanZone, which will be set up in front of the Maison Birks store at 55 Bloor Street W. in Toronto.

Collaboration between Telefilm Canada and Maison Birks
This is Telefilm’s third event, in collaboration with Maison Birks, to honour Canadian women filmmakers. Last year, Telefilm and Maison Birks paid tribute to Canadian women in film at the Toronto International Film Festival, in an event held at the Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto. In 2012, the inaugural Birks Canadian Diamond was awarded during Telefilm Canada’s Tribute to Canadian Talent event at the Cannes Film Festival.

About Telefilm Canada
Telefilm is dedicated to the cultural, commercial and industrial success of Canada’s audiovisual industry. Through its various funding and promotion programs, Telefilm supports dynamic companies and creative talent here at home and around the world. Telefilm also administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Visit www.telefilm.ca and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/telefilm_canada and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/telefilmcanada.

About Maison Birks
Birks & Mayors is a leading retailer and owner of 54 prestige jewellery stores in Canada and the United States. The company runs 31 Birks stores located in most of Canada’s major urban areas, 20 Mayors stores in Florida and Georgia, two Brinkhaus stores in Calgary and Vancouver, and one Rolex store in Orlando. Founded in 1879, Maison Birks has, over the years, become Canada’s number one retailer, designer and manufacturer of high-end jewellery, watches, sterling and silver plated silverware as well as gifts. For more information, visit www.maisonbirks.com.

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Media enquiries
Andrea Grau, Touchwood PR
andrea@touchwoodpr.com

Juli Strader, Touchwood PR
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Melissa Farinacci, Public Relations Manager, Birks & Mayors
514-397-2501 ext. 3687
mfarinacci@birksandmayors.com