It is debatable whether the film and TV industry needs another awards show, but Canada’s producers will be feted at the new Indie Awards on the opening night of Prime Time in Ottawa on Feb. 20.

‘It’s an idea whose time has come,’ says CFTPA president and CEO Guy Mayson. ‘The awards are appropriate because no one knows the production business like producers.’

The Indie Awards will be presented to producers only, much like the DGC, ACTRA or CAB present awards to their members only. Its industry orientation sets it apart from the Gemini Awards, Genie Awards, Prix Gemeaux and Prix Jutra shows, which raise public awareness of Canadian productions through broadcast.

Mayson also says the new Indie Awards are timely because ‘We now have the critical mass of programming in all categories to make this awards show happen.’

Nine producer categories include primetime drama series, TV movie, comedy series, feature film, miniseries, documentary program or series, convergent new media, lifestyle or reality program or series, and children’s and youth program or series.

The CBC’s Little Mosque on the Prairie is vindicated with a nomination for best comedy series after being shut out of the 2007 Gemini Awards in that category, and is up against CTV’s Corner Gas, Showcase’s Rent-A-Goalie and Moose TV, and Global’s The Jane Show.

‘It feels fantastic to have been nominated by my peers,’ says Mosque executive producer Mary Darling of WestWind Pictures. ‘While the show has already received a range of awards from around the world, it is especially great to be recognized by the Canadian industry. It confirms what we’re doing with the show is of value.’

In theatrical films, thespians starring in Away from Her and Eastern Promises may be competing for Oscar gold, but those widely celebrated films’ producers will square off in Canada’s capital. Away from Her producers Daniel Iron, Jennifer Weiss and Simone Urdl will compete with Eastern Promises’ Canadian producer Robert Lantos. Also up for best pic are The Tracey Fragments (Sarah Timmins, Paul Barkin, Bruce McDonald), Congorama (Luc Déry, Kim McCraw) and Continental, un film sans fusil (Déry, McCraw).

The nominees are judged by an independent jury.

(A complete list of nominees is available on Playback’s website: //www.playbackonline.ca/articles/magazine/20080204/indies.html)