TORONTO – The 2006 Crystal Awards gala luncheon next month will be hosted by Dina Pugliese, co-host of CHUM Television’s daily morning show in Toronto, while Pamela Wallin, broadcaster and former Consul-General of Canada in New York, will be the event’s Honorary Alumni Chair, Women in Film and Television – Toronto (WIFT-T) has announced.
The awards, to be presented December 4 in Toronto, celebrate the role of women in the Canadian film and television industry.
The participation of Pugliese and Wallin “further enhances what is already an exciting salute to Canada’s formidable talent in screen-based media,” said Sue Sheridan, Executive Director of WIFT-T, in a press release.
Pugliese joined CHUM Television as co-host of the daily entertainment program Star! Daily and just signed on as co-host of BT – BreakfastTelevision. She received a Gemini nomination for hosting VJ Search: The Series.
Wallin is a former host of Canada AM and anchored the CTV weekend news, and became the first Canadian woman to co-anchor the nightly national television newscast Prime Time News. She is currently the Senior Advisor to the President of the Americas Society and the Council of the Americas in New York.
“I am delighted to be this year’s Honorary Chair and look forward to what is sure to be a memorable occasion,” Wallin said. “I am honoured to be part of a celebration that pays tribute to such a distinguished group of remarkable and talented women.”
The WIFT-T 2006 Crystal Award winners are:
Outstanding Achievement Award – Christina Jennings, Chair and Co-CEO of Shaftesbury Films Inc.
Creative Excellence Award – Jennifer Baichwal, Director, Producer.
Phyllis Switzer Mentorship Award – Karen Gelbart, Senior Vice President, Content, Lifestyle Channels, Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc.
Crystal Jury Award – Jeanne Beker, Host and Segment Producer, FT-Fashion Television and Fashion Television Channel.
The 2006 Crystal Awards will also include presentations of the WIFT-T mentorship awards: the Kodak New Vision Fellowship, the CBC Canadian Reflections Award, the Alliance Atlantis Diversity in Broadcasting Internship, and the Quebecor BANFF Mentorship Award.
