31^st Annual Genie Awards to be Broadcast Live From the NAC on Thursday, March 10, 2011 on CBC

January 27, 2011

TORONTO, January 27, 2011 — The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is pleased to announce that the 31st Annual Genie Awards will be broadcast live on CBC on Thursday, March 10, 2011 (time TBD). The annual celebration of Canadian film will take place in Ottawa at the National Arts Centre.

“It has been an extraordinary year for Canadian cinema. Our films and filmmakers have garnered critical acclaim, accolades, and awards from around the world. It seems absolutely fitting to celebrate the industry’s successes in the nation’s capital and with its public broadcaster,” said Ron Cohen, Chair of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television.

“From Incendies to Barney’s Version and many others, this has been an exciting year internationally and at home for Canadian film,” said the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage & Official Languages.

“The Genie Awards are an important recognition for Canada’s film industry of the talent and caliber of Canadian film – I am pleased that this year’s Genie Awards show will cap a year of successful Canadian film screenings in Ottawa”.

“In what has been a tremendous year, Canadian films continue to surprise and inspire audiences across our country and around the world,” said Kirstine Stewart, Executive Vice President, CBC English Services. “CBC is proud of its ongoing support of Canada's film industry and pleased to partner with the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television with the broadcast of this year’s Genie Awards."

“There is no better backdrop than the Nation’s Capital to showcase a celebration of Canadian film and the people who create and star in it,” said Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa. “We are thrilled to welcome the Genie Awards back to the City of Ottawa.”

“The National Arts Centre is pleased to be the venue host for the 2011 Genie Awards,” said Peter Herrndorf, President and CEO of the National Arts Centre. “Every element of Canadian culture showcased by the NAC is captured in Canadian film and we are delighted to work with the Academy and CBC to bring it all together on one stage for this year’s Genie Awards.”

"As our Nation's Capital, Ottawa is every Canadian's second hometown," said the Honourable John Baird, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean. "When the Genie Awards come to town, Canada's film industry leaders will have the support of the City and the entire country.”

Nominations will be announced on Wednesday, February 2, 2011.

Since 1980, the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television has served to unify the country’s film industry by honouring and showcasing outstanding achievements in Canadian cinema with the annual presentation of The Genie Awards. For three decades, the Genies – like the Canadian Film Awards before them – have celebrated and affirmed Canada’s national cinema. Promoting all facets of film, the Genies have evolved over the years, introducing new awards categories to reflect the ongoing growth and development of the industry.

For more information about the Genie Awards, visit www.genieawards.ca.

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About the ACCT:

Established in 1979, 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 and television. Unifying professionals across Canada, the ACCT is a vital and integral force, representing all areas of the film and television industries.

For further information, please contact:

Judy Lung

Communications Manager

Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television

Ph: 416-366-2227 ext 238

E-mail: judy@academy.ca

Judith Dubeau

Publicist, Quebec

Ixion Communications

Ph: 514-495-8176

E-mail: judith.dubeau@ixioncommunications.com

Melissa Branco