#FIRSTLOOK: PATRICK HUARD, MICHAEL MACMILLAN AND DENIS VILLENEUVE TO BE HONOURED AT 2024 CANADIAN SCREEN WEEK

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (the Canadian Academy) is pleased to announce the third and final group of 2024 Special Award recipients: Patrick Huard, Michael MacMillan, and Denis Villeneuve, three talented forces in the Canadian screen-based industries. All of this year’s Special Award honourees will be recognized for their outstanding contributions and successes during Canadian Screen Week 2024, taking place in Toronto from Sunday, May 26 through to Saturday, June 1, 2024.

“Congratulations to Patrick, Michael, and Denis, who round out our incredible slate of 2024 Special Award recipients,” said Tammy Frick, CEO, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. “They have all had a tremendous impact on the screen-based industries, both in Canada and abroad: Michael’s leadership has helped redefine the Canadian media industry, with Blue Ant Media becoming one of the top broadcasting and media companies in Canada; Patrick has captivated audiences, providing us with some of the most iconic characters in Canadian film history; and Denis’ stunning award-winning filmmaking has inspired not only Canadians, but all who have had the pleasure of experiencing the intriguing worlds he creates in his films.”

The third and final group of the Canadian Academy’s 2024 Special Award honourees are:

The Academy Icon Award, presented to a Canadian individual or institution for their exceptional, ongoing contribution to the media industry at home or abroad, is awarded to Denis Villeneuve, Academy Award®-nominated director, screenwriter and producer whose astute attention to detail and unique visuals have established him as one of the premier filmmakers working today. His highly acclaimed adaptation of Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel, Dune, received six Academy Awards®, and five BAFTAs. Villeneuve’s latest film, Dune: Part Two, was released to critical acclaim and is currently the highest grossing movie of 2024 having surpassed $700 million worldwide. Villeneuve’s other directorial credits include Blade Runner 2049, Arrival, Sicario, Prisoners, Enemy, and Incendies.

The Earle Grey Award, recognizing a Canadian performer for their exceptional body of acting work in Canadian television and film, is presented to Patrick Huard, actor, comedian, director, author, host, and producer. With a career spanning over 30 years, Patrick is a multi-talented artist who has enjoyed great success in front of and behind the camera, as well as on stage and radio. One of Canada’s and Quebec’s biggest stars, he has appeared in some of the country’s highest-grossing films, including Les Boys and its two sequels; the record-breaking, Genie Award-winning comedy Bon Cop Bad Cop, which he also co-wrote (and is currently developing a TV series for); his feature directorial debut, Les 3 p’tits cochons and Starbuck. He has also starred in several successful Quebec TV series, including the hugely popular Taxi 0-22, which he also produced and directed. He has won numerous awards for his stand-up comedy and comedy writing, and has hosted several Juste pour rire galas, the Gala de l’ADISQ and the Soirée des Jutra (now Prix Iris), as well as several radio programs.

The Industry Leadership Award, honouring innovation and leadership in Canada’s media industry, is presented to Michael MacMillan, co-founder and CEO of Blue Ant Media. Under Michael’s leadership, the global media company has become an international production studio and rights business, and now owns and operates eight free streaming channels internationally, in addition to a roster of pay TV broadcast channels in Canada. A member of the Order of Canada, Michael has volunteered with numerous community and industry organizations over many years. He is also a Senior Fellow at Massey College and co-author of the best-selling book Tragedy in the Commons.

The full list of 2024 Canadian Screen Awards Special Award honourees is as follows:

Academy Board of Directors’ Tribute Award: Jeff Barnaby
Academy Board of Directors’ Tribute Award: John Brunton
Academy Icon Award: Denis Villeneuve
Changemaker Award: Tonya Williams
Earle Grey Award: Patrick Huard
Gordon Sinclair Award for Broadcast Journalism: Paul Workman
Industry Leadership Award: Michael MacMillan
Lifetime Achievement Award: Marilyn Denis
Radius Award, presented by MADE | NOUS: Devery Jacobs
Radius Award, presented by MADE | NOUS: Lamar Johnson
Sustainable Production Award, presented by CBC: Jane Goodall: Reasons for Hope by Science North

Learn more about the Canadian Screen Awards 2024 Special Award recipients here and visit this link to find out when each Award will be presented.

To view the full list of nominees for the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards, visit academy.ca/nominees, and CanadianScreenWeek.ca to see the full schedule of events for the week.

About the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television
The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is the largest non-profit professional arts organization in Canada with a membership of more than 4,000 emerging and established industry professionals. Founded in 1979, the Canadian Academy is dedicated to recognizing, celebrating, and advocating for Canadian talent in the film, television, and digital media sectors while remaining committed to nurturing all levels of talent through professional training, networking opportunities, and guidance. The Canadian Academy produces the Canadian Screen Awards, bringing together the screen-based industries annually to honour and celebrate the country’s top talent during Canadian Screen Week.

​​The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television proudly acknowledges the support of its Leading Media Partner, CBC; Premier Partner, Telefilm Canada; Platinum Partner, Bell Media; and its Lead Partners, Netflix, the Canada Media Fund, the Canadian Media Producers Association, Cineplex, the Cogeco Fund, and WBD Access Canada.

For information on membership and programming visit academy.ca.