Tribute to the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.

Congratulations are in order for the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television (ACCT), celebrating it's 25th Anniversary. The Academy, which has more than 4,000 members, has established a multitude of professional development programs, created standards of excellence in Canada's film and television production (through the Genie, Gemini and Gemeaux Awards) and developed worldwide public awareness of the country's film and TV productions.

As an ACCT member, VideoAge is proud to salute its Silver Anniversary.

MANDATE OF THE ACADEMY

ACCT is a national non-profit professional association designed to promote, recognize and celebrate exceptional achievements in the Canadian film and television industries.

Created in 1979, the Academy has proven to be a vital and integral force representing all areas of film and television.

Members include executives, craftspeople and others wishing to support the Canadian film and television industry. Representation stretches across the country within the four major regions (Western Canada, Ontario, Quebec, and the Atlantic Provinces), as well as south of the border in the United States, where membership continues to rise.

The Academy's mandate is:

* To honor outstanding achievements.

* To heighten public awareness and increase audience attendance and appreciation of Canadian film and television productions.

* To provide high-quality professional development programs, conferences and publications.

Designed for industry professionals, as well as students of film and television, the Academy's innovative and creative training programs include the Breakfast Club Speakers Series and the National Apprenticeship Training Program.

The National Apprenticeship Training Program (NATP) is the Academy's longest-running and most successful professional development program. Since 1986, the program has placed over 150 film and television graduates with established industry professionals.

The NATP is designed to provide hands-on apprenticeship experience within a professional environment to Canadian students who are just completing post-secondary Film, Television, Communication, or related, Studies. The program's purpose is to expose these apprentices to the labor market and to ease their entry into the industry. Comprised of leading industry professionals, an Academy jury selects the top students in the country to receive paid training on professional productions.

The Academy also publishes a range of industry books. Analytical, educational, statistical, promotional, and historical, Academy publications have sold around the world. Publications include:

* "Who's Who in Canadian Film and Television"

* "Making It: The Business of Film and Television Production in Canada"

* "Selling It: The Marketing of Canadian Films"

* "Telling It: Writing for Canadian Film and Television"

* "A Pictorial History of the Canadian Film Awards"

* "And the Genie Goes To ...: Celebrating 50 Years of the Canadian Film Awards"

AWARDS OF THE ACADEMY

To honor excellence, each year the Academy independently produces and hosts three high profile awards events which celebrate outstanding achievements in the Canadian film and television industries:

The Genie Awards

The Genie Awards annually recognize and celebrate Canada's cinematic achievements. In 1979, the Academy of Canadian Cinema was created to implement the Genie Awards, instead of the Canadian Film Awards.

The Gemini Awards

Honoring all aspects of English-language television production in Canada, the Gemini Awards annually recognize achievement in Craft, Program and Performance categories. The Prix Gemeaux (French-Language Television)

The artists, artisans and creators of French-Canadian television are honored annually at a gala in Montreal.

A TOAST TO THE GENIES!

The Academy's flagship program, the Genie Awards, also turns 25 this year. This is a milestone that reflects the impressive expansion and worldwide recognition of Canada's national cinema. The country's craftspeople, filmmakers and performers are sought after around the globe and their films are among the most celebrated. The Genies' predecessor, the Canadian Film Awards (CFAs), which were launched in 1949, were awarded by an "international jury." In 1980, the time was right for change and the Academy was created. Initially, the Genies were bestowed by Academy members, much like the U.S. system for the Oscars, but this process didn't seem to work for Canadians. The Academy went back to the jury system, which has been tweaked over the years.

During early years, the Genies' ceremony took place at Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre. As the program grew, the Academy moved the Awards to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

In May 2004, the Academy switched broadcasters and went with CHUM to reinvigorate the show because CHUM cross-promotes and has a greater ability to reach younger audiences.