Canadian women filmmakers shine in Toronto

Birks celebrates Canadian women in film at an event held in partnership with Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto and Telefilm Canada

TORONTO, Sept. 10, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Birks, Canada's leading prestige jeweller since 1879, celebrated the talent and accomplishments of seven Canadian women in film yesterday at an event held in partnership with Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto and Telefilm Canada.

Among a crowd of 300 and more guests, among them industry members and Toronto influencers, Telefilm Canada's Executive Director Carolle Brabant presented the honourees with a symbolic gift from Birks, during a ceremony hosted by Canadian TV personality Ben Mulroney.

The seven honourees are Canadian directors Anais Barbeau-Lavalette, Manon Briand, Anita Doron, Deepa Mehta, Kate Melville and Ruba Nadda as well as Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Michèle Maheux.

"Canada has a great heritage when it comes to filmmaking, and as a woman I am proud to have chosen to be making films here," says director and honouree Deepa Mehta, whose new feature film "Midnight's Children" is screening at this year's TIFF. "I am honoured to be part of the group of fantastic women being acknowledged by Birks and Telefilm Canada at today's event," she concluded.

"We are thrilled to be celebrating these seven women's presence at the Festival but also their contribution to Canada's cinematographic heritage, recognized worldwide thanks to their work," added Jean-Christophe Bedos, President and CEO of Birks & Mayors Inc. "Their work is key to making our reputation and culture shine abroad," he added.

"This year is an exceptional year for Canadian women filmmakers at TIFF, with a number of them having their feature films in the official line-up," said Carolle Brabant, Executive Director of Telefilm Canada. "This is truly a testament to their talent and success, with their voice being heard not only here at home but also across the globe."

Each honouree has received a diamond pendant from the new PLAISIRS DE BIRKS Collection, which draws inspiration from the jeweller's design legacy, strongly rooted in Canada's history. Among the creations are symbols that pay homage to our country's heritage, including maple leaves, snowflakes and fleur-de-lys.

About Birks
Birks & Mayors is a leading retailer with 58 prestige jewellery stores in Canada and the United States. The Company operates 32 stores under the Birks brand in most major markets in Canada and 23 stores under the Mayors brand in Florida and Georgia, two retail locations in Calgary and Vancouver under the Brinkhaus brand, and one retail location in Orlando under the Rolex brand. Birks was founded in 1879 and developed over the years into Canada's premier retailer, designer and manufacturer of fine jewellery, timepieces, sterling and plated silverware and gifts. Visit www.birks.com, follow us on http://twitter.com/birksjewellers and www.facebook.com/birksjewellers.

About Telefilm Canada
Telefilm is dedicated to the cultural, commercial and industrial success of Canada's audiovisual industry. Through its various funding and promotion programs, Telefilm supports dynamic companies and creative talent here at home and around the world. Telefilm also administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Visit www.telefilm.ca and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/telefilm_canada and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/telefilmcanada.

SOURCE: BIRKS & MAYORS INC.