A brief history of 'The Genies':

• 1970's Canadian film industry experiences rapid growth: A small group of filmmakers aspire to build a unifying organization and mount a national, annual showcase of the industry's achievements
• Canadian sculptor Sorel Etrog commissioned to design the "Etrog Award" statuette in 1968 for the Canadian Film Awards
• June 20, 1979 Academy incorporation: A key part of the mandate is to promote higher filmmaking standards through the presentation of annual awards
• Statuette and awards renamed the Genie Award for the first annual Genie Awards in 1980
• First annual Genie Awards telecast live by CBC television at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto; subsequent awards held in locations across Canada
• The awards, ceremony, and broadcast itself, continue to evolve with industry needs and technological developments; peer nomination process established
• Today, Canadian stories and artists attract international collaboration and bring our culture to the public worldwide