Canadian Ethnic Media Association unveils award winners for 33rd Annual Gala at Harbourfront's Enwave Theatre December 10th

TORONTO, Dec. 7, 2011 /CNW/ - The Canadian Ethnic Media Association (CEMA) annually recognizes and celebrates excellence in ethnic media. This Saturday's event marks CEMA's 33^rd Annual Awards Gala, and the first to be held at Harbourfront's Enwave Theatre.

A pre-awards reception at 6:00 p.m. kicks-off the evening, followed at 7:00 p.m. by the balance of the program. Sudha Krishnan and Vincenzo Somma of OMNI News co-host the evening, which will be interspersed with performances by Zero Gravity Circus; The Wonderful World of Circus and the Hips Don't Lie Dance Company. The awards presentation - including its diverse array of entertainment -- will be taped for broadcast at a later date on OMNI Television.

"We were pleased to receive awards nominations from across the country," says Madeline Ziniak, Chair of CEMA and National Vice President of OMNI Television. "The calibre of this year's submissions tangibly demonstrates the growth of Canadian ethnocultural media and reaffirms its relevance in today's evolving social context; language media can access stories and reach audiences that mainstream can't. "

CEMA Award Winners for 2011 are:

• Television - Ela Kinowska, independent producer, for her documentary And Who Are You?;
• Print - Thien Huynh, reporter, Thoi Bao Newspaper, for his series There's No Place Like Home;
• Internet - Sue Chun, producer, www.Jane-Finch.com for her overall body of work;
• CEMA Innovation Award - Mohsin Abbas, Editor, Diversity Reporter;
• Sierhey Khmara Ziniak Award - Roman Brytan, Program Director, World FM.

The Sierhey Khmara Ziniak, named for CEMA's founder, is presented annually to one outstanding individual who, through journalism, has spoken for Canadian multiculturalism.

CEMA's new Innovation Award was created to honour one organization that stands out above the rest, because of the quality of their submission.  The inaugural CEMA Innovation Award goes to Vancouver-based Diversity Reporter for a variety of pieces, all of which were compelling, effectively challenged stereotypes, and offered a glimpse into questions of belonging for immigrants and ethnic minorities in Canada.

Also making its debut at CEMA's 33^rd Annual Awards Gala will be the Rainbow Caterpillar Award for the best story written for children in a non-official language (other than or English or French).  This award will be co-presented by Rainbow Caterpillar founders Hanoosh Abassi and Happie Testa.

Further details will be revealed during the 2011 CEMA Awards Gala this Saturday. Tickets are $50 each and may be purchased by contacting Lisa Warner at 416-764-3082 (or via email at [e-mail]). Price includes admission to the pre-award reception, award ceremony and post-award reception.

About CEMA:
The Canadian Ethnic Media Association (formerly known as the Canadian Ethnic Journalists and Writers Club) was founded in 1978 as an inclusive organization for print, radio and television media; an internet category was added in 2004 to better meet the evolving needs and technology of ethnic journalism practitioners. CEMA publishes a website at www.canadianethnicmedia.com.

For further information:

Media Contact:
Madeline Ziniak - [phone]