Blueprint to Receive Award at Banff

TORONTO, June 3: Blueprint
Entertainment has been named the recipient of this year’s Lionsgate/Maple
Pictures Innovative Producer Award, presented at the 29th edition of the Banff
World Television Festival, taking place June 8 to 11.

The award recognizes the
entrepreneurial excellence and achievements of an independent producer within
the Canadian television industry. Blueprint Entertainment, which is behind the
successful programs Kenny vs. Spenny and Whistler, was
selected by a jury of three: a representative from Lionsgate/Maple Pictures,
one from the Banff World Television Foundation and one from the
broadcasting/production community.

The award will be
presented to Blueprint’s chairman and CEO, John
Morayniss, and its president, Noreen Halpern, during the Alberta Awards
Luncheon on June 9. The presentation will be made by Kevin Beggs, Lionsgate’s president of television programming and production, and
Brad Pelman, the co-president of Maple Pictures.

"The team at
Blueprint Entertainment is committed to producing innovative, unique
programming, and this award recognizes the success they have had in this
industry," said Beggs. "They are a growing vibrant force in Canadian
television, and we wish them every success in the future."

"On behalf of our
colleagues at Blueprint, we are honored to receive such important recognition
from our peers and the Canadian television industry," commented Morayniss.
"We are thrilled to accept this award and thank Lionsgate and Maple
Pictures for placing such importance on creativity and vision."

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski