Bell Media Partners with the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television as Lead Partner for the 2013 Canadian Screen Awards

- Six-figure sponsorship includes naming rights for Best Direction in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series and Best Comedy Program or Series Awards -

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TORONTO, Jan. 14, 2013 /CNW/ - Bell Media announced today its designation as an official lead partner of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television's inaugural Canadian Screen Awards. Canadian Screen Week, the annual celebration of excellence in Canadian film, television, and digital media productions, begins in Toronto on February 27 and culminates in a televised award broadcast on March 3, 2013. Nominations will be announced tomorrow.

The comprehensive partnership, amounting to an investment of at least $115,000, includes naming rights for the awards for Best Direction in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series and Best Comedy Program or Series, and also includes a range of brand and marketing activations throughout the Canadian Screen Week celebrations.

Bell Media takes on naming honours for the Best Comedy Program or Series Award category, reflecting the company's long-standing support for independent Canadian production. As well, bravoFACT, Canada's largest funder of short-form projects, is slated to sponsor the bravoFACT Award for Best Direction in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series, complementing the program's commitment to developing contemporary dramatic works for television from emerging Canadian talent.

"We're thrilled to sponsor the inaugural Canadian Screen Awards, which spotlights outstanding achievements in Canadian film, television, and digital media and proudly puts homegrown productions front-and-centre," said Kevin Crull, President, Bell Media. "As a company, Bell Media is deeply committed to the production and promotion of Canadian content. We are proud to be a part of this showcase that applauds the incredible talent, creativity, and innovation of Canada's media industries."

"We are very grateful for the Bell Media support which comes at a critical juncture in the Academy's history," said Martin Katz, Chair of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. "Bell Media has now become a key partner in our endeavour to promote and celebrate our Canadian talent and screen-based productions. We are buoyed by this continuing wave of support from all across the industry."

About Bell Media
Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital. With passion and an unrelenting commitment to excellence, Bell Media entertains, informs and inspires Canadians. Bell Media owns 28 conventional stations, including CTV, Canada's #1 television network, and owns and operates 30 specialty channels, including TSN, Canada's #1 specialty channel, and RDS, Canada's #1 French-language specialty channel. Bell Media also owns 33 radio stations, dozens of websites including the TheLoop.ca by Sympatico, and Dome Productions Inc. Bell Media is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. For more on Bell Media, please visit www.bellmedia.ca.

About bravoFACT
Bell Media's bravoFACT (Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent) supports and fosters independent Canadian producers by providing funding to create contemporary dramatic works for television. Founded in 1995, bravoFACT has distributed tens of millions of dollars in grants to Canadians for the production of short-form projects, leading to many industry awards throughout the world. bravoFACT is a division of Bell Media, Canada's largest communications company. For more information visit www.bravofact.com.

About the Academy
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, 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
The Academy's Canadian Screen Awards is the new annual awards show to celebrate the best in film, television and digital media. Canada's king of comedy, Martin Short, will host the inaugural two-hour live broadcast gala on Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 8 p.m. (8:30 N.T) on CBC.

SOURCE: Bell Media