The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is the largest non-profit professional media arts organization in Canada. With a membership of more than 4,000 emerging and established industry professionals, we are dedicated to developing, recognizing, celebrating, and advocating for Canadian talent in the film, television, and digital media sectors.

The Canadian Academy strives to foster industry growth, knowledge, inclusion, and mentorship through a series of professional development programs, talent activation initiatives, and networking opportunities. Aimed at creating a more equitable and diverse Canadian screen-based industry, we are committed to discovering and nurturing all levels of talent through professional training and guidance. Our Talent Development programs are all programs offered virtually, and there are no fees to apply or participate. 

The Canadian Academy produces the Canadian Screen Awards, bringing together the screen-based industry annually to celebrate the country’s top talent in the film, television, and digital sectors at Canadian Screen Week. In 2013, the Canadian Screen Awards were born as the result of a merger of the Academy’s Gemini and Genie Awards, which, respectively, honoured English-language television and film.

The Canadian Academy understands its unique position to help create a more equitable screen-based industry in Canada and is proud to offer a series of talent development programs to help make that possible. Talent Development programs include Misdirect: The Nick Nemeroff Comedy Grant, a new initiative aimed at supporting and celebrating emerging Canadian comedians; the WBD Access x Canadian Academy Writers Program as well as the WBD Access x Canadian Academy Directors Program, a pair of talent activation initiatives focused on experienced Canadian writers and directors respectively from underrepresented communities; the Executive Residency Program, an initiative dedicated to providing executive-level access for mid-career industry professionals who are Black, Indigenous, or persons of colour; and Women in Post, a program designed to address the barriers to entry and advancement for creatives who identify as women or non-binary working in the post-production industry.

Our Mandate.

The Canadian Academy is on a mission to inspire creativity, develop talent, and celebrate the best in Canadian visual storytelling. Its mandate is governed by the principles of Integrity, Diversity, Excellence, and Authenticity.