Join us for the inaugural Reelworld Ally Award Luncheon!
Guest of Honour: Valerie Creighton
April 11, 2025
11.30am-3pm
Park Hyatt Hotel, Toronto
Reelworld is proud to announce that Valerie Creighton, President and CEO of the Canada Media Fund, has been selected as the first recipient of the Reelworld Ally Award. This award was established by the Reelworld Foundation, the charitable arm of Reelworld, to recognize individuals in the Canadian screen industry whose leadership has been instrumental in breaking down barriers and creating inclusion.
Individual tickets are priced at $500 and are eligible for a $250 tax receipt.
A sponsored table accommodating nine guests can be purchased for $5,000 and qualifies for a $2750 tax receipt. The 10th seat at each table is reserved for an emerging Canadian filmmaker or creator from an Indigenous or racialized background, selected by the Reelworld board and staff.
Funds raised through this annual event will go towards the Reelworld Foundation Endowment, for the long-term support of Reelworld.
The Reelworld Ally Award will be presented annually to an individual in the Canadian screen industry whose leadership has been instrumental in breaking down barriers and creating inclusion. It recognizes those who have helped expand the reach of Canadian content by ensuring all talented voices have the opportunity to be heard and seen.
Valerie Creighton is an industry leader in arts, culture, and media who is responsible for reenergizing some of the country’s most important organizations in the sector over nearly four decades. An expert in organizational change, Valerie has been recognized as a visionary in promoting Canada’s cultural wealth. She is a recipient of both the Order of Canada and the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, and has received two honours in recognition of her advocacy and support for Indigenous creators and the establishment of the Indigenous Screen Office (ISO).
“Valerie has approached every challenge with clarity and purpose, ensuring that inclusion is not just a conversation but a concrete outcome,” says Tonya Williams, Founder and Executive Director of Reelworld Screen Institute and Reelworld Foundation.
“Over the past 40 years, Valerie’s leadership has left an undeniable mark on the Canadian screen industry,” says Tonya Williams, Founder and Executive Director of Reelworld Screen Institute and Reelworld Foundation. “Whether through her advocacy for gender equity, support for Indigenous and diverse creators, or commitment to strengthening Canadian content, her work has consistently driven meaningful change. She has approached every challenge with clarity and purpose, ensuring that inclusion is not just a conversation but a concrete outcome. Valerie once said, ‘It really is about what I can do to advocate, lobby for, and elevate the creators in this country. That’s what I feel my job is.’ We applaud Valerie for living by these words, and truly embodying them.”
"I share this honour with all who champion the richness of Canadian narratives,” says Valerie.
"Being named the recipient of the first ever Reelworld Ally Award is an unexpected honour that is both profoundly joyful and profoundly humbling,” says Valerie. "It means the world to me to be recognized by Tonya and the Reelworld team, who do such important work every single day. Throughout my career, I've been inspired by the resilience and creativity of Canada's diverse storytellers. To me, this recognition is a testament to their voices and the collective strides we've made toward representation, inclusion, and solidarity in our industry. I share this honour with all who champion the richness of Canadian narratives."
At the luncheon on April 11, guests will be treated to an intimate, in-depth conversation between Valerie and a well-known moderator, reflecting on her life, journey, and accomplishments.
Funds raised through this annual event will go towards the Reelworld Foundation Endowment, for the long-term support of Reelworld.
“My focus is now to build a significant fund that solidifies the legacy of Reelworld for decades to come and ensures that diverse Canadian filmmakers and creatives continue to have a resource they can rely on for training, access and opportunities,” says Tonya.
If you are unable to attend the event but will still like to donate to the Reelworld Foundation, click the button below.