Miguel Rivas, Andrew Phung, Carlos Bustamante and Mind Fudge round out the 2018 Canadian Screen Week host line-up
TORONTO, ON – (February 12, 2018) – The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (the Canadian Academy) and CBC today announced that Jonny Harris of CBC’s Still Standing and Murdoch Mysteries and Emma Hunter of The Comedy Network’s The Beaverton and CBC’s Mr. D will co-host the 2018 Canadian Screen Awards Broadcast Gala live on CBC on Sunday, March 11, 2018. The Canadian Academy also announced hosts for the three non-broadcast Canadian Screen Awards Galas and Family Fan Day.
“With a renewed vision to celebrate what we do best, the Canadian Academy could not be more excited to have Emma and Jonny as co-hosts of this year’s Broadcast Gala,” said Beth Janson, CEO, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. “They are amongst the funniest people we have in this country and we are honoured to give them our stage. We can’t wait to see what they come up with.”
The Canadian Academy and CBC also announced their new production partner for the Broadcast Gala: Insight Production Company. This year marks the inaugural year the Canadian Academy will work with the award-winning content producers to deliver one of the country’s biggest award shows. As part of the new partnership, Insight Productions is taking on the task of bringing the “Golden Era of Entertainment” to the Canadian Screen Awards stage.
“As Canada’s public broadcaster, CBC is proud to shine a spotlight on homegrown talent and provide a platform for Canadian storytelling,” said Sally Catto, General Manager, Programming, CBC. “We are honoured to partner with the Canadian Academy and Insight to bring the Canadian Screen Awards to audiences across the country, celebrating the unique voices and perspectives that Canada has to offer. We look forward to a wonderful broadcast hosted by Jonny and Emma.”
“Insight is honoured to be partnering with the Canadian Academy and the CBC to produce the Canadian Screen Awards,” said Lindsay Cox, Executive Producer and Senior Vice-President, Insight Production Company. “We look forward to celebrating the very best of Canadian film and television and are thrilled to have Johnny & Emma as our hosts. The Insight team is delighted to be creating a show that represents our incredible industry and the world class talent that Canada offers.”
“We and CBC are thrilled to welcome Insight Productions to the Canadian Screen Awards family and look forward to seeing how they bring our vision to life,” said Janson. “We know their team will bring even more elegance and authenticity to the broadcast celebration of our Canadian stars.”
Also taking on hosting duties during Canadian Screen Week this year are five very talented Canadian stars who will each bring their own flare and personality to the stage at the three non-broadcast Galas during Canadian Screen Week.
Canadian Screen Award nominee and co-anchor of The Comedy Network’s The Beaverton, Miguel Rivas, will host the Gala Honouring Excellence in Non-Fiction Programming Sponsored by Boat Rocker Media and Eagle Vision (March 6, 2018);
Award-winning actor and improv dynamo Andrew Phung, of CBC’s Kim Convenience, will host the Gala Honouring Excellence in Creative Fiction Storytelling Sponsored by Technicolor and Thunderbird Entertainment (March 7, 2018); and
Mind Fudge’s Jon Simonassi and Justine Nelson will serve as “virtual hosts” through the creation of content for the Gala Honouring Excellence in Digital and Immersive Storytelling Supported by the Independent Production Fund (March 8, 2018).
The three off-air Galas will be produced by e=mc2 events who are working with the Canadian Academy for the first time this year.
Additionally, YTV’s Carlos Bustamante will host Family Fan Day, presented by the Canadian Academy and the Shaw Rocket Fund, and supported by City of Toronto on March 10, 2018, which coincides with the beginning of March Break in Toronto.
“We’re extremely fortunate to have these authentic Canadian voices guide us through Canadian Screen Week and help the Canadian Academy celebrate this country’s amazing screen talent,” said Martin Katz, Chair, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television.
For headshots of the hosts, please click here.
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Canadian Screen Week 2018
Canadian Screen Week is the largest national showcase of talent in the film, television and digital media sectors in Canada. It is a week of events that gathers members of the Canadian Academy and Canadian talent from across the wide spectrum of Canada’s screen industry to connect with Canadians and celebrate achievements. Events include: the Gala Honouring Excellence in Non-Fiction Programming (March 6, 2018 at the Westin Harbour Castle), the Gala Honouring Excellence in Creative Fiction Storytelling (March 7, 2018 at the Westin Harbour Castle), the Gala Honouring Excellence in Digital and Immersive Storytelling (March 8, 2018 at Daniels Spectrum), Family Fan Day (March 10, 2018 at the Sony Centre of the Performing Arts) and the Canadian Screen Awards Broadcast Gala, which will be televised live from the Sony Centre of Performing Arts on CBC on Sunday, March 11 at 8 p.m. (9 p.m. AT/ 9:30 p.m. NT).
In addition, the Bell Media House, the ultimate place for industry professionals to learn and network, will once again house the Members’ Lounge during the day from March 6th to 9th, 2018. This year’s theme is Charting a Course Forward, with panel discussions focusing on Blockchain Technology, Sustainable Production and Questions of Appropriation and Voice. There will also be a live podcast featuring 2018 Canadian Screen Award nominees.
About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada’s trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC/Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. We are leading the transformation to meet the needs of Canadians in a digital world.
About e=mc2 events | www.emc2events.com
Since 2001, e=mc² events has delivered world-class, award-winning live event services in Canada and the U.S. with offices in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. e=mc2 events proves that there are no hurdles too high, roadblocks too wide or logistics too maddening to stop them from delivering experiences that matter.
For several years, they have worked with clients such as the JUNO Awards Gala, SOCAN Music Awards, Canada’s Walk of Fame and the Toronto International Film Festival, which is why producing the 2018 Canadian Screen Awards is a perfect fit for the team.
About Insight Production Company Ltd.
Insight Productions – known for its award-winning ratings juggernauts and many of the Country’s biggest award shows, music series and variety specials – is Canada’s most established content producer. Headed by John Brunton and Barbara Bowlby, Insight is an industry leader in the development, financing and production of hit programming, both scripted and unscripted, as well as digital content. Insight Senior Vice-President & Show Runner, Lindsay Cox serves as Executive Producer along with John Brunton on The Canadian Screen Awards, The JUNO Awards, The Launch, A Fury Christmas, Canada Day 150! From Coast to Coast to Coast, Canada’s New Year’s Eve Countdown and The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration which was seen by 1 in 3 Canadians – among others. Insight collectively received 24 Canadian Screen Award nominations in 2018. Other 2017 Insight productions include The Amazing Race Canada, Big Brother Canada, Top Chef Canada and Intervention. Insight Productions was founded in 1979 and has since created thousands of hours of groundbreaking content.
About Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television
The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is the largest non-profit professional arts organization in Canada. We are dedicated to recognizing, advocating for and celebrating Canadian talent in the film, television and digital media sectors.
Our more than 4,500 members encompass industry icons and professionals, emerging artists and students. Collectively, we deliver professional development programs and networking opportunities that foster industry growth, inclusion and mentorship.
The Canadian Academy produces Canadian Screen Week. This annual celebration of excellence in media through a multi-platform, national program of events and celebrations culminates with the Canadian Screen Awards Broadcast Gala live on CBC, Sunday March 11, 2018 at 8 p.m. (9 p.m. AT/ 9:30 p.m. NT).
For information on membership and programming visit www.academy.ca.
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Melissa Prince | 416-586-1939
mprince@national.ca
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