2015 Birks Diamond Tribute to the Year’s Women in Film During TIFF

On Tuesday, September 15, 2015, Birks and Telefilm Canada honoured nine Canadian women directors and actors who have had a spectacular year in the film industry.

Now in its third year, the Birks Diamond Tribute party celebrates the achievements of Canadian women in the male-dominated film industry.

Patricia Rozema, Karine Vanasse, Kari Skogland, Carolle Barbant, Eva Hartling, Anne Emond, Sophie Deraspe, Suzanne Clement, Katie Boland and Ingrid Veninger

“Birks recognizes the importance of proudly celebrating Canada’s dazzling female film talent,” said Eva Hartling, Vice President of Marketing for Birks Group Inc., prior to introducing the 2015 honourees.

What better way to recognize and highlight the careers of these talented women than with a glamourous cocktail reception!

The posh soiree was hosted at the oh-so-luxurious Shangri-La hotel, where actors, producers, and other professionals in the Canadian arts, fashion, and entertainment industries gathered in support of Canadian women in film.

Notable guests included fashion designer Kirk Pickersgill, OCAD president Sara Diamond, TIFF’s artistic director Cameron Bailey, film director Deepa Mehta, who was a previous recipient of the Birks Diamond tribute; and members of this year’s jury Bernadette Morra and Noreen Flanagan .

Pieces from the newly launched Birks Muse Ribbon collection was also on display for guests to view, which included 18-karat yellow gold earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.

Guests enjoyed a delectable selection of hors d’oeuvres including scallop sashimi, crispy chicken and mushroom tart, and tuna tartare.

In a room full of flashing cameras, Eva Hartling and Carolle Barant, the Executive Director of Telefilm Canada, announced the names of the honourees and presented them with gifts from Birks.

The following women are the 2015 Birks Diamond Tribute to Women in Film: directors Sophie Deraspe, Anne Émond, Patricia Rozema, Kari Skogland, and Ingrid Veninger; and actors Katie Boland, Suzanne Clément, Catherine O’Hara, and Karine Vanasse.

The honoured women graced the stage and were absolutely beaming when they received roaring rounds of applause from the crowd.

The evening concluded with mingling and networking late into the evening.

Congratulations to the ten incredible Canadian female film directors and actors. May their careers be long and prosperous!

Patricia Jaggernauth and Jen Kirsch

Sasha Exeter

Jenna Bitove

Katie Boland-2015 Birks Diamond Tribute to Women in Film

Michelle Levy

Catriona Smart

Kirk Pickersgill and Karine Vanasse (wearing Greta Constantine)

Sasho Bitove, Melissa Barrett, Gabriel Naumovich and Jenna Bitove

Sophie Deraspe-2015 Birks Diamond Tribute to Women in Film

Natalie Brown and Aaron Poole

Sophie Deraspe

Sophie Deraspe and Karine Vanasse

Ainsley Kerr wearing Birks earrings

Lauren Holly

Stacey McKenzie

Suzanne Boyd

Eva Hartling

Jeffrey Patrick

Nil Köksal

Si Si Penaloza and Shinan Govani_

Chloe Wilde

Giacomo Gianniotti

Jennifer DeLia and Helen Burstyn

Andrew Cividino

Gabe Grey, Ali Momen, Ali Kazmi and Randeep Hooda

Gia Sandhu, Gabe Grey, Ali Momen, Deepa Mehta, Ali Kazmi, Randeep Hooda and Sarah Allen

Aaron Abrams

Gia Sandhu and Sarah Allen

Karine Vanasse

Karine Vanasse (2015 Birks Diamond Tribute to Women in Film) and Eva Hartling

Anne Emond-2015 Birks Diamond Tribute to Women in Film

Bernadette Morra

Deepa Mehta

Kari Skogland-2015 Birks Diamond Tribute to Women in Film

Patricia Rozema-2015 Birks Diamond Tribute to Women in Film

Patrick Gilmore

Suzanne Clément-2015 Birks Diamond Tribute to Women in Film

Aaron Poole

Francis Guindon, Noreen Flanagan and Hugo Thibault

Amanda Brugel

Elise Bauman

Ingrid Veninger

Natalie Brown

Ian Blackwood

Kalinka Petrie

Kire Paputts and Dylan Harman

Mike Cram

TIFF Birks Diamond Tribute to the Year’s Women in Film

George Antonopoulos

Kris Reyes

Teddy Wilson and Alex Filiatrault

Tracy Moore and Kris Reyes

Glen Baxter

Karen von Hahn

Robin Turack and Christian Vermast

Ainsley Kerr

Kirk Pickersgill

Sara Diamond

Eva Hartling and Lauren Holly

Lauren Holly and Michelle Levy

Stacey McKenzie wearing Birks earrings

Stacey McKenzie

Anthony Teplan and Halla Rafati

Nolan Bryant

Sabrina Maddeaux

Jenna Bitove and Mary Symons

Jenna Bitove wearing Birks Bee Chic collection

Patricia Jaggernauth

Karine Vanasse, Kari Skogland and Eva Hartling

Patricia Rozema, Karine Vanasse, Kari Skogland, Carolle Barbant, Eva Hartling, Anne Emond, Sophie Deraspe, Suzanne Clement, Katie Boland and Ingrid Veninger

Dominique Sirsly, Eva Hartling, Amy Burstyn-Fritz, Hilary Bonebakker and Francis Guindon

Natalie Brown & Cristina Rosato

Si Si Penaloza and Shinan Govani

Tracy Moore

Bernadette Morra and Deepa Mehta

Maxine Bailey

Lexi Miles and Victoria Radford

Helen Burstyn

Suzanne Clément

Tara Spencer-Nairn

Katie Boland

Natalie Brown

Patricia Rozema

Ingrid Veninger wearing Birks Muse Ribbon

Lauren Hammersley

(Photo Credit: George Pimentel Photography)