Filmmaker and TV personality Sharon Lewis, Black Screen Office CEO Joan Jenkinson and McGillivray Entertainment Media (MEM) COO Nanci MacLean are among the six honourees at this year’s Crystal Awards, the annual tribute gala organized by Women in Film & Television – Toronto (WIFT+ Toronto).

Now in its 38th year, the Crystal Awards recognize women and gender-diverse leaders who have made profound contributions to the Canadian and international film and television industry.

Lewis, who began her career as a TV presenter (CBC’s counterSpin) and actor (Degrassi: The Next Generation) before transitioning to filmmaking, is receiving the 2025 Crystal Award for Creative Excellence. After making her feature-film directorial debut in 2017 with Brown Girl Begins, she went on to win a Canadian Screen Award for best director of a factual series for Sphere Media’s Paranormal Nightshift.

Former WIFT+ Toronto executive director Jenkinson is receiving the Innovation Trailblazer award for her work as co-founder and CEO of the Black Screen Office (BSO), leading efforts to combat anti-Black racism and advance Black storytelling in Canada’s screen industries. Jenkinson and the BSO were previously recognized as Changemaker of the Year in Playback‘s annual Best of the Year issue in 2022.

MacLean is receiving this year’s Crystal Award for Outstanding Achievement in Business. The MEM executive currently oversees such franchises as the rebooted MasterChef Canada and originals like Renovation Resort. Prior to joining MEM, MacLean spent more than two decades at Bell Media, where she ultimately oversaw all in-house production and served as president of Pinewood Toronto Studios, spearheading the facility’s multimillion-dollar expansion.

Also being honoured at this year’s Crystal Awards is Jennifer Dodge, who is being recognized with the International Achievement prize. As president of Spin Master Entertainment, Dodge oversees franchise growth, content creation, production, global distribution and consumer products for such IP as Unicorn Academy and PAW Patrol, including serving as producer on the two successful PAW Patrol theatrical features.

Emmy-nominated director Annie Bradley has been named the recipient of this year’s Mentorship award. Currently serving her third term as chair of the Ontario branch of the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC), she has helmed series for such international platforms as Hulu, Prime Video, CBC, Discovery, the BBC and Channel 4, while also developing her own slate of content through her company The Heat Mansion.

Rounding out the 2025 Crystal Awards recipients is CTV National News at 5:30 anchor Sandi Rinaldo, who is receiving a Special Jury Award of Distinction for her five-decade career in broadcast journalism.

Honourees are nominated by WIFT+ Toronto members, and then selected by a jury of industry peers. The recipients of the 2025 awards were selected by a jury composed of former Bell Media senior executive Pat DiVittorio; Umber Hamid, CEO of music and sound production company Boombox Sound; and Jocelyn Hamilton, president of Lionsgate Canada’s TV division.

The 2025 Crystal Awards will be presented in a gala ceremony in Toronto on Nov. 25, hosted by Jess Allen of CTV’s The Social.

Pictured top (L to R): Sharon Lewis, Joan Jenkinson, Nanci MacLean

Pictured bottom (L to R): Jennifer Dodge, Annie Bradley, Sandi Rinaldo

Images courtesy of WIFT+ Toronto

Annie Bradley headshot by Brooke Palmer