Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) CEO Cameron Bailey will be honoured this year at the third annual Legacy Awards, presented by the Black Academy.
The TIFF executive will join rap star Kardinal Offishall and Soulpepper Theatre artistic director Weyni Mengesha among the honorees at the awards ceremony celebrating the achievements of Black Canadians in film, television, music, sports and culture, the equivalent of Quebec’s Gala Dynastie.
Cameron Bailey is this year’s Visionary Award recipient, for leading a major international arts institution and “propelling black filmmakers to the forefront of cultural consciousness,” the organization said in a statement.
Rapper Kardinal Offishall, who also recruits and develops global talent through the Def Jam Recordings label, will receive the Icon Award for his decades of service as “the undisputed ambassador of Canadian hip-hop to the world.”
Weyni Mengesha, who has directed several critically acclaimed plays, including da Kink in my hair And Kim’s Conveniencewill receive the Trailblazer Award for creating inclusive cultural spaces that “reflect the society we live in.”
The Legacy Awards will be presented at a gala hosted by the actor from Bel-Air Adrian Holmes and broadcast live on CBC and CBC Gem on September 29.
The other winners are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Canadians can already vote online for their favourite Black Canadian digital content creator. The winner of this People’s Choice Award will be announced during the gala.