Toronto actor and filmmaker Michelle Latimer is headed to Banff to mingle with TV execs next month after winning the 2008 Astral Media Mentorship Award on Tuesday, presented by Women in Film and Television-Toronto.

The prize hands one under-represented Canuck producer the chance to prepare for the TV fest through an intensive pre-festival mentorship program with a senior Astral Media executive. Latimer will also have the opportunity to pitch and network at Banff.

‘This award gives Michelle, who has never had the opportunity to attend Banff, the chance to make meaningful connections with industry leaders and take a project to the next level,’ commented WIFT-T exec director Sadia Zaman.

Latimer is known for her humanitarian efforts as well as her acting work on Showcase’s soap Paradise Falls and comedy Moose TV, in which she stars opposite Adam Beach. She is currently producing the documentary Jackpot, as well as a short about aboriginal youth artists.