Canadians Take Centre Stage at 2nd Annual Talent Celebration in Los Angeles

ERIC MCCORMACK TO PRESIDE AS HONOURARY CHAIR

TIFF TO RECEIVE ACADEMY'S LEGACY AWARD

ACADEMY AWARDS AND CANADIAN SCREEN AWARD
NOMINEES IN ATTENDANCE

#CANADASTARS

MONTREAL, Febr. 13, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Telefilm Canada, the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television and the Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles will co-host a tribute celebrating Canadian excellence in the film and television industries. The Canada Stars in Awards Season event, presented by ETALK, will take place in Los Angeles on Thursday, February 19 at the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills Hotel. The invitees include Canadian Academy Awards nominees, select Canadian Screen Awards nominees, and other high-profile Canadian talent. Hosted by ETALK anchor Ben Mulroney, Toronto-born Primetime Emmy Award-winning actor Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) will act as Honourary Chair for the event.

To honour its 40^th anniversary, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) will receive the newly minted Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television's Legacy Award – for unyielding dedication in bringing international acclaim to Canadian talent in film, television or digital media. Piers Handling, Director and CEO of TIFF, will be present to accept the Award on behalf of organization.

This year's event in Los Angeles marks the second year in which the Academy Awards and Canadian Screen Awards nominees are brought together in a true partnership of Canadian talent. Canada's key organizations and supporters are joining forces to elevate talent and filmmakers and placing them on a global stage.

"When Canadian filmmakers shine on the international stage, it leads to increased visibility both at home and abroad; it's therefore important for the Canadian industry to continue to work together on creating strategic opportunities to promote our homegrown talent," said Carolle Brabant, Executive Director of Telefilm Canada. "The Canada Stars in Awards Season event is also the perfect occasion to congratulate and honour TIFF with the newly minted Legacy Award, in recognition of their efforts in making Canada one of the film capitals of the world and creating a home for Canadian cinema."

James Villeneuve, Consul General of Canada in Los Angeles, added: "The Consulate General in Los Angeles has had a long history in supporting and promoting Canada's creative industries and talent. Year after year Canadians continue to raise the bar across the entertainment industry and this is a wonderful event to connect Canadians with key opportunities in Los Angeles."

Helga Stephenson, CEO of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, further added: "The global reach of talented Canadians continues to thrive and grow so we are especially pleased to launch our new Academy Legacy Award at Canada Stars in Los Angeles during awards season."

Special guests expected to attend include: A.J. Cook, Adam Korson, Albert Shin, Ali Liebert, Anna Silk, Antonio Cupo, Benjamin Arthur, Cameron Bailey, Cameron Waldbauer, Carolle Brabant, Charlie Carrick, Chris Agoston, Christian Sparkes, Claude Foisy, Corey Sevier, Craig Mann, David Julian Hirsh, Dean DeBlois, Dustin Milligan, Don McKellar, Enrico Colantoni, Eric McCormack, Eve Harlow, Gabriel Hogan, Giacomo Gianniotti, Graham Annable, Helga Stephenson, Jason Priestley, Jeffrey Morrow, Jennifer Finnigan, Jessalyn Gilsig, Jillian Barberie, Joel Thomas Hynes, Johnathan Sousa, Joshua Bartholomew, Justin Chatwin, Kacey Rohl, Karine Vanasse, Kevin Zegers, Keon Mohajeri, Kris Holden-Ried, Lola Tash, Lyriq Bent, Magnhild Winsnes, Maxim Roy, Meaghan Rath, Meghan Ory, Michèle Maheux, Norman Jewison, Patric Caird, Paul Almond, Paul Campbell, Piers Handling, Rachelle Lefevre, Sophie Nélisse, Stéphane Lapointe, Tahmoh Penikett, Torill Kove.

The initiative is made possible by our partners:

• Presenting Partner: ETALK
• Major Sponsor: Canada Media Fund
• Contributing Sponsors: AMC Network, Canadian Film Centre, Canadian Media Production Association, National Film Board of Canada
• Supporters: Toronto International Film Festival, Motion Picture Association of Canada and the Talent Fund and its contributors Bell Media and Corus Entertainment
• Gift bags provided by JB Skin Guru

For more information on Canadian Screen Award nominees click here.

For more information on the Academy Awards nominees click here.

About Telefilm Canada
Telefilm is dedicated to the cultural, commercial and industrial success of Canada's audiovisual industry. Through its various funding and promotion programs, Telefilm supports dynamic companies and creative talent here at home and around the world. Telefilm also administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/telefilm_canada and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/telefilmcanada.

About the Academy
The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is a national, non-profit, professional association dedicated to the promotion, recognition and celebration of exceptional achievements in Canadian film, television and digital media. Unifying industry professionals across Canada, the Academy is a vital force representing all screen-based industries.

About the Canadian Screen Awards and Canadian Screen Week
The Academy's Canadian Screen Awards is the annual awards show to celebrate the best in film,  television and digital media; they are part of Canadian Screen Week (February 23 – March 1, 2015) and the 2-Hour Live Broadcast Gala will air Sunday March 1 @ 8pm (8:30 NT) on CBC.

About the Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles
The Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles covers the territory of Southern California, Arizona and Nevada. The Consulate promotes trade and investment, encourages bilateral relations between Canada and the region and works to raise awareness of key issues of importance to Canada and Canadians.

SOURCE Telefilm Canada

For further information: Source: Telefilm Canada, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles; For more information please contact: Andrea Grau, Touchwood PR, [phone] ext. 201, [e-mail]