Preservation

The Academy broadened the scope of its work in 2010 to include the restoration and preservation of Canadian film and television.

On June 1, 2010 the Academy announced it would continue the film and television programming of the Audio-Visual Preservation Trust, including the Astral Restoration Program and the MasterWorks Program. The AV Trust was founded in 1996 and promoted Canada’s audiovisual heritage until the organization dissolved in 2009. The Academy is pleased to work with many of the AV Trust’s founding partners, including Telefilm Canada, the NFB and Library and Archives Canada to preserve and promote our country’s rich and dynamic film and television history.

For information about the AV Trust – its history, past programs and resources – please visit www.avtrust.ca

Astral Restoration Program

Introduced by the AV Trust in 2000, the Astral Restoration Program is dedicated to restoring and re-releasing Canadian film. Past restorations and re-releases include Loyalties (1986, dir. Anne Wheeler), Les bons débarras (1980, dir. Francis Mankiewicz), and Seul ou avec d’autres (1962, dir. Denys Arcand, Denis Héroux, and Stéphane Venne).

MasterWorks

The MasterWorks Program was created by the AV Trust in 2000 to recognize culturally significant works drawn from the archives of the Canadian film, radio, television and music industries. In 2010 the Academy incorporated the Program’s English-language television tributes into the Gemini Awards. Tributes for French-language television and Canadian film will be incorporated into the 2011 Prix Gémeaux and the 2011 Genie Awards, respectively.

Honourees to date:

2010

Polka Dot Door (TVO, 1971-1993)
Produced by Ted Coneybeare and Jed MacKay, executive produced by Vera Good, with early episodes produced by Peggy Liptrott.
A ground-breaking children’s educational series that raised the international profile of the Canadian television industry. The series was Canada’s first children’s show to be syndicated in the United States and has been aired on numerous affiliate stations.

Lisa de Wilde, Ted “Leo” Coneybeare, Polkaroo and Jed MacKay receive MasterWorks honours for Polka Dot Door at the 25th Annual Gemini Awards

The NewMusic (Citytv and MuchMusic, 1979-2008)
Produced by John Martin and executive produced by Gemini Award-winner Moses Znaimer.
A cutting-edge and innovative newsmagazine series created by the late John Martin, The NewMusic presented current popular music in a broad social, political and economic context. With its own trademark style, the series documented youth culture and its music heroes by going beyond the popular style of entertainment journalism and exploring real issues in the music world.

David Martin accepts MasterWorks honours on behalf of his father, John Martin, for The NewMusic at the 25th Annual Gemini Awards

Supporting Partner

Founding Partners