Five women representing the wide spectrum of the Canadian film and TV industry – from the ultra-small mobile screen to large-format film – are being honored for their achievements by Women in Film and Television-Toronto.

Recipients of the 2007 Crystal Awards include Judy Gladstone, executive director of the short-film funding foundation Bravo!FACT; film and TV producers Ilana Frank and Claire Prieto; independent production executive Tecca Crosby; and IMAX producer and director Toni Myers.

‘Not only are all these women accomplished and smart, they have all given back to the industry in some way that is really important,’ says Sadia Zaman, executive director of WIFT-T, which is dedicated to the advancement of women and underrepresented groups in screen-based media.

Recipients are nominated by their industry colleagues and chosen by a jury of past winners.

The 19th annual Crystal Awards will be handed out at a gala luncheon on Dec. 3 at the Fairmont Royal York. More than 600 industry reps are expected at the sold-out event.

More on this year’s winners:

Tecca Crosby, independent production executive (WIFT-T mentorship award)

In a 30-year career, Crosby has made important contributions to numerous organizations.

She helped draft the original guidelines at the Ontario Film Development Corporation and funded projects including Exotica, When Night Is Falling and Dance Me Outside, and helped establish the professional screenwriting program at the Canadian Film Centre.

From 1998 to this past September, Crosby worked in CTV’s dramatic programming department, where she was responsible for TV series including Cold Squad and The Eleventh Hour, and TV movies such as Lives of the Saints.

‘I have worked with some very talented people over the years, so it means a lot to me to be recognized by them,’ she says, flattered to know ‘that there are things of value I could pass along.’

Crosby adds that she has been fortunate to have had some great mentors of her own throughout her career, from Robert Fulford at Saturday Night magazine to Ivan Fecan and Susanne Boyce at CTV.

As for her own philosophy on mentoring, Crosby says it is simple: ‘I treat others how I would like to be treated myself, and I think it is important to be respectful of creative people and the creative process.’

Ilana Frank, producer and president, Thump Inc. (creative excellence award)

Frank is an award-winning producer of feature films (The Life Before This), TV series (The Eleventh Hour) and TV movies (Would Be Kings).

Before launching prodco Thump in 1996, she worked as SVP of production at Norstar Filmed Entertainment with her husband, the late Peter Simpson.

‘When I first started in this business, all of the writers I worked with were men, because I couldn’t find a female writer,’ says Frank. ‘Now most of them are female, so that is exciting.’

The next step, she says, is for more women to become directors. ‘Women like Deepa Mehta and Sarah Polley are opening those doors, so hopefully others will be inspired by their success,’ she says.

Over the years, Frank has gained a reputation for giving young talents their first break.

‘I strive to give people who work with me a creative environment where they are comfortable, excited and enthused, so they can do their best work,’ she says.

Judy Gladstone, executive director, Bravo!FACT (WIFT-T outstanding achievement award)

As executive director of Bravo!FACT for more than a decade, Gladstone has funded more than 1,200 shorts from filmmakers across the country.

In recent years, Bravo!FACT, now owned by CTVglobemedia, has led the way in developing mobile content, and is widely regarded as an innovator. Shorts funded by the foundation have won awards at events including the World Mobile Congress in Barcelona.

‘It’s a joy to have an artist share their vision with you and help them focus their idea so that it works in the short-short format,’ says Gladstone. ‘This award is a testament to the talent of the many artists I have worked with.’

Gladstone says she has had many mentors, singling out current VP and GM of Bravo! and BookTelevision Isme Bennie, who helped her get the lay of the land when she first started.

‘You don’t forget when someone is willing to take the time to help you figure it out, share their knowledge and brainstorm with you,’ she says.

Toni Myers, producer/director IMAX Corp. (outstanding achievement award)

Myers began her career as an editor in Toronto before moving onto the IMAX Corporation, where she has since become a producer and director.

Most recently, Myers directed, produced and wrote the award-winning Space Station 3D (which has grossed nearly $100 million since its release) and wrote, produced and edited Deep Sea 3D.

‘It is incredibly important for women to honor each other, appreciate each other and support each other,’ says Myers. ‘Receiving this award, I feel the strength of that support.’

Myers says she has always been surrounded by accomplished and inspiring woman.

‘In fact, I now head up a great team that is all female here at IMAX.’

Claire Prieto, producer/executive producer, C+C Films (award of distinction)

Prieto has built a reputation for developing the talents of emerging filmmakers of color in Canada, in particular as producer of the New Initiatives in Film Program at the National Film Board in the mid-’90s, where she helped launch the careers of many minority women.

‘There were few [minority] women operating in this arena,’ says Prieto, also founding president of the Black Film & Video Network, an advocacy group for professionals in the screen and new media arts. ‘What is most crucial to me is for more of them to have the ability to own their own companies and hire others.’

She is also committed to diversity through mentorships and apprenticeships on her own productions, including the doc series Echo and the feature Step.

‘I couldn’t imagine not hiring other black people or not creating a space for them,’ she says.

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This story has been corrected. It previously incorrectly stated that Toni Myers is a cofounder of IMAX Corporation.