The latest group of trailblazing women who have made their mark on the Canadian film and television industry will be honored at Women in Film and Television – Toronto’s 19th annual Crystal Awards, Dec. 4.

‘[The awards] reflect extremely hardworking women with an incredible passion for their craft,’ says WIFT-T chair Wendy MacKeigan, referring to the honorees as being ‘at the top of their game.’

Shaftesbury Films co-CEO Christina Jennings will receive the outstanding achievement award, sponsored by CanWest MediaWorks, while the NBC Universal prize for creative excellence will be given to award-winning documentary filmmaker Jennifer Baichwal (Manufactured Landscapes).

Karen Gelbart, senior VP of content and lifestyle channels for Alliance Atlantis Communications, will pick up the Phyllis Switzer award for excellence in mentorship, sponsored by CHUM, while longtime FT-FashionTelevision host Jeanne Beker will receive the Crystal Jury Award. The CTV international achievement award will be presented to Epitome Pictures CEO and Degrassi franchise co-creator Linda Schuyler.

The event will be hosted by Dina Pugliese of Star!Daily, with broadcaster and diplomat Pamela Wallin attending as honorary alumni chair.

‘It’s a good thing to come together and say ‘Look what we’ve done, look where we are and look where we can go,” says WIFT-T executive director Sue Sheridan.

The jury is comprised of past Crystal Award recipients including National Film Board producer Silva Basmajian, Kathryn Emslie, director of the Canadian Film Centre’s film and television programs, and Andra Sheffer, executive director of the Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund.

WIFT-T, the world’s third-largest WIFT chapter, with nearly 900 members, started out as a grassroots organization nearly 20 years ago.

‘Originally, it was an organization to help women advance at a time when there were not a lot of women in the senior ranks,’ says Sheridan.

But she adds that WIFT-T has broadened its scope to include ‘the changing face of Toronto.’

‘It’s important to include underrepresented groups in our mandate, as well as men. We’re not just an organization of women for women,’ she says.

In addition to offering mentoring, apprenticeship and networking opportunities for rising film and television professionals, WIFT-T recently introduced the Business Learning Initiative, a new business training certificate program in partnership with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Meanwhile, 2007 is shaping up to be a busy year for the organization, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in addition to hosting the international Women in Film and Television conference in Toronto, July 16-19, 2007.

The organization will also introduce a new prize at next year’s Crystal Awards – Employer of the Year.

‘We’re looking for equal representation in the boardroom,’ says MacKeigan, while Sheridan adds the award recognizes ‘hiring practices that are inclusive across the board.’

Meanwhile, WIFT-T will also present its mentorship awards at the Dec. 4 gala luncheon at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York Hotel.

Filmmaker Rosamund Owen will receive the Kodak New Vision Fellowship, while producer Barb Taylor will be honored with the CBC Canadian Reflections Award. VisionTV cofounder Rita Deverell will be presented with the Quebecor Banff mentorship prize, while the diversity in broadcasting internship, sponsored by AAC, will be awarded to student Iman Sheikh.

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