Alison Duke Wins WIFT-T Mentorship Award
Women in Film and Television Toronto announced the six outstanding women at the 2019 Crystal Awards Gala, hosted by Shakura S’Aida, on December 3rd.
The Crystal Awards, established in 1988, is WIFT-T’s annual tribute to individuals who have made significant contributions to Canada’s screen-based media industry. Since its inception, over 145 industry trailblazers have been recognized for excellence in creativity, innovation, and leadership; and their commitment to mentoring the next generation of creators and industry leaders.
This year’s honourees are: maxine bailey, cultural maven and former vice-president of advancement at Toronto International Film Festival; Alison Duke, co-founder of Oya Media Group; Tammy Frick, executive director at Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival; Kim Gibson, program consultant, Ontario Creates; Esta Spalding, writer, producer, showrunner; and Mary Young Leckie, creative producer at Solo Productions.
MENTORSHIP AWARD: Alison Duke, Co-Founder, Oya Media Group
“She has created a legacy for herself, not only through the content that she has created, but also in the hearts and minds of the young people she continues to mentor and believe in.” — Fonna Seidu, mentee
Alison Duke is an artistic activist, award-winning filmmaker, and passionate producer committed to the Canadian visual art form. She established Goldelox Productions to produce social issue content. In 2016, Alison produced the Akua Benjamin Legacy Project, a digital web series which celebrates the legacies of Toronto-based Black activists. Inspired by Ava Duvernay, #metoo and the reality that opportunities for women behind the camera in Canada are long overdue, Alison hired five Black female Canadian directors to helm the films. Recently, she co-wrote and co-produced the television documentary Mr. Jane and Finch (‘19) directed by Ngardy Conteh George (and edited by Sonia Godding Tobogo) for CBCDocs POV. She also directed Cool Black North (‘19), a two-hour television documentary special for CityTV/Rogers. Current activities see her producing Laurie Townshend's, feature documentary, Mothering in the Movement, under the Oya Media Group banner; kickstarting year 2 of Black Youth! Pathway2Industry, a 3-year initiative to support Black youth access to essential training, mentors, networks and film industry spaces. She's also finishing post-production on, Promise Me, a dramatic short inspired by her The Woman I Have Become (‘08).
