CALGARY — Cross-border hit Flashpoint roped three trophies at the Gemini Awards broadcast gala on Saturday night at Calgary’s Stampede Corral.

The CTV/CBS cop drama — which had a record 19 nominations — beat out CBC’s Being Erica and The Tudors to win best drama series. Kelly Makin picked up the award for best direction and Enrico Colantoni, who plays Sgt. Greogory Parker on the show, was named best actor.

‘We wanted to win all 19,’ Colantoni joked in the media room after picking up his award.

‘We are so proud of this show and the success of the show,’ added Flashpoint co-executive producer Anne Marie La Traverse. ‘We have savored every second of it.’

Hugh Dillon, while not winning a Gemini for his performance, scored best actor in a featured supporting role for the CTV movie Of Murder and Memory.

Gemini host Ron James couldn’t resist having some fun with Flashpoint, noting that Toronto isn’t quite hostage central like the series makes it out to be.

‘The only time I ever saw the Toronto SWAT team was when they were working as extras on Flashpoint,’ he joked.

He also poked fun at uptight easterners: ‘Get that Toronto knot out of your neck and loosen up,’ James told the crowd, which beyond industry folks also included over 1,000 Calgarians who purchased tickets to the awards show.

James also got in a pointed comment about arts funding.

‘Every time the oil industry gets government money, it’s a subsidy,’ he pointed out. ‘When the arts industry gets money, it’s a hand out.’

Erin Karpluk, an Alberta native, won the best actress Gemini for her leading role in CBC’s hit series Being Erica.

‘I am overwhelmed and extremely honored,’ said Karpluk. ‘I love the show and I love the character. This is the opportunity of a lifetime for me.’

Best Gemini acceptance speech goes to Montreal’s Christine Ghawi, who picked up an acting award for playing Quebec chanteuse Celine Dion in the CBC mini-series Celine. She used the opportunity to plead for work.

‘I haven’t had a job for two years since doing Celine,’ she told the crowd. ‘So somebody please hire me.’

The cancelled CMT Canada series Three Chords from the Truth took the trophy for best comedy ensemble performance.

‘There’s nothing better than being recognized by your peers,’ said series star Phyllis Ellis while accepting the Gemini. She then slyly added: ‘Except for maybe a second season.’

CBC’s Rick Mercer Report was named best comedy series; Leah Miller took the best host in a variety program award for CTV’s So You Think You Can Dance Canada; and The Hour‘s George Stroumboulopoulos was honored as best talk show host.

‘To be able to make television in the country that you love and the country that you want to make television in, that’s a gift,’ said Stroumboulopoulos. ‘I couldn’t get away with what I get away with in L.A.’

Best writing in a comedy or variety program went to Adam Reid and Max Reid for Showcase’s Billable Hours.

Other Gemini wins include CBC’s The Dragons’ Den for best reality program; Calgary-shot Burn Up, seen on Global, was named best mini-series; and David Suchet was named best actor in a dramatic program or mini-series for his performance in CBC’s Diverted.

Tiger Spirit, produced by Storyline Entertainment and the National Film Board, was honored with The Donald Brittain Award for best social or political documentary.

The Geminis paid also tribute to three of Canada’s most successful comedy programs which ended their runs this year: Royal Canadian Air Farce, Trailer Park Boys and Corner Gas.

‘I was absolutely stunned to find out they’re still alive,’ joked actor Mark McKinney while presenting the tribute to the Air Farce troupe.

Actors Tara Spencer-Nairn and Gabrielle Miller accepted the award on behalf of Corner Gas.

‘It is only hitting in now… the impact we have potentially made on Canadian TV,’ said Spencer-Nairn.

Calgarians had good reason to celebrate this weekend, beyond playing host to the TV awards show for the first time. At the Gemini reception on Friday night, Alberta Culture Minister Lindsay Blackett announced that the province has signed an agreement in principle to purchase ten acres of land in northwest Calgary to build a studio.

Blackett says the $26 million project will include a 30,000 and 20,000 square foot stages and 45,000 square feet of office space that will be rented out to the industry. The project funding is currently being finalized and is likely to include all three levels of government and private investors.

‘I’m dotting the ‘I’s and crossing the ‘T’s with all three levels of government,’ said Blackett. ‘We hope to be in construction by next spring.’

The Alberta Film Development program also announced that a broadcast license will no longer be required to pursue funding, in order to support innovative digital production. There will also be money available to support project development.

______________________________ Three nights, two cities, countless trophies. Read our complete coverage of this year’s Geminis.