(Toronto) October 10, 2006—Canada’s Walk of Fame, in partnership with The Mary Pickford Institute, announced today that they are now accepting submissions for the 2007 Mary Pickford Young Filmmakers Competition. Aspiring filmmakers and videographers aged 18 to 26 are invited to submit a 2-3 minute video tribute to the late Hank Snow. The winner will receive $5,000 and will have their video screened across Canada on television and Cineplex Theatres. The competition is sponsored by Canada’s Walk of Fame, Cineplex Entertainment, NBC Universal and The Mary Pickford Institute.

“We want to make this as much fun to create as it will be to watch,” said Peter Soumalias, President and CEO of Canada’s Walk of Fame. “So the premise of each submission should be: what would it look like if Hank Snow was being honoured at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards?” Soumalias added that it’s important that the tributes are up beat and fast paced using cutting edge technology, music and visuals. “Honour his Canadian roots, pay homage to his body of work but most important, capture the essence and energy of his spirit.”

The first phase of the competition requires a preliminary submission that can be up to one minute in length. Three finalists will be chosen from all entries and these finalists will refine and expand their submission into a 2-3 minute video tribute to Hank Snow. All preliminary entries must be received by February 14, 2007.

“Mary Pickford has inspired generations of actors and filmmakers,” said Keith Lawrence, President and CEO of The Mary Pickford Institute. “It’s only fitting that we can now support that inspiration in a tangible and practical manner.”

Interested in Submitting?

Who can submit works?
Canadian citizens or landed immigrants aged 18 – 26.

How are works chosen for screening?
A jury of film and video professionals judges the submissions.

When must works be submitted?
Submissions must be received by Feb. 14, 2007

Are there fees for submission?
No.

Are cash prizes awarded to the winners?
Up to three submissions will be chosen for the short list. Each of the finalists will then refine their work into a 2-3 minute video tribute and then resubmit for final judging. The winning film will receive $5,000, the second place winner will receive $3,000 and the third place winner will receive $2,000. The winning submission will also be shown on television and Cineplex theatres across Canada.

What formats will be screened?
Initial entries may be submitted on DVD or Beta SP, however only Beta SP will be accepted for the three finalists. No other formats will be accepted.

What should be submitted?
Each submission package must include: a completed submission form; a typewritten synopsis of the work; and a DVD or Beta SP tape of the tribute. Tapes/DVDs will not be returned. The three short listed submissions, including the winner’s tape will become the property of Canada’s Walk of Fame, which will retain all rights and trademarks. Proper credit will always be given to the filmmaker.

What will the short listed winners receive?
The three short listed films will:

• Receive cash prizes of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000
• Have their submission may be shown for public input and voting.
• Be screened at a party in honour of the filmmakers in Toronto where guests of CWOF and the Mary Pickford Institute, Sponsors of the Mary Pickford Young Filmmakers Competition, and industry professionals will screen the three short listed films and the winning submission.
• Receive a pair of tickets to all 2007 Tribute Gala events

What will the winner receive?
The winning film will:

• Receive a $5,000 cash prize.
• Be given national exposure in media releases.
• Be shown nationally on television and Cineplex theatres.
• Be given exposure on the Canada’s walk of fame website.
• Be featured with an article in the 2007 Tribute Gala program.
• Receive two tickets to attend the 2007 Tribute Gala Induction events.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

1. Film must be a student work completed while attending a high school, college, or university.
2. Initial works may be submitted in DVD or Beta SP format.
3. Submissions must have complete optical sound.
4. Submissions must be in English.
5. All entries must be received by 3 p.m. Feb. 14, 2007.

About Canada’s Walk of Fame:
Established in 1998, Canada’s Walk of Fame aims to educate, inform, and inspire through the permanent celebration of the achievements of Canadian music, arts and entertainment luminaries. The annual celebration culminates in a televised tribute special that honours Canada’s finest stars from the worlds of arts, entertainment, and sports. Each inductee is immortalized; their names forever cemented into the sidewalks of Toronto’s entertainment district. To date, one hundred and one Canadians have been honoured. This year’s inductees were: Actress/Model Pamela Anderson, Singer/Songwriter Jann Arden, Singer/Actor Robert Goulet, Comedian/Actor Eugene Levy, Musician Paul Shaffer, Jeopardy host Alex Trebek, and Olympic ski team The Crazy Canucks, Dave Irwin, Ken Read, Dave Murray and Steve Podborski. A complete list of inductees along with more information on Canada’s Walk of Fame can be found at www.canadaswalkoffame.com. Canada’s Walk of Fame is presented by Master Card in partnership with Volkswagen.

About The Mary Pickford Institute:
The Mary Pickford Institute for Film Education (MPI) is the newest initiative of the Mary Pickford Foundation, and represents our commitment to the expansion of the Foundation’s goals to educate and instruct young people who might not otherwise have the chance, about filmmaking and film history. We believe that to build a brighter world, every voice must have an opportunity to be heard. The Institute was created to serve the public and to increase awareness of Mary Pickford’s legacy of creativity and charity. Her belief in artistic independence and in the need to provide opportunities for talent, regardless of race, gender or ethnicity is an important part of the legacy. More information on the Mary Pickford Institute and the Mary Pickford Foundation can be found at www.marypickford.com.

About CTV:
CTV, Canada's largest private broadcaster, offers a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming. It has the number-one national newscast, CTV National News With Lloyd Robertson, and is the number-one choice for prime-time viewing. CTV owns 21 conventional television stations across Canada and has interests in 16 specialty channels, including the number-one Canadian specialty channel, TSN. CTV is owned by Bell Globemedia, Canada's premier multi-media company. More information about CTV may be found on the company website at www.ctv.ca.

Media Contact:
Chris McDowall
Holmes Creative Communications
(416) 628-5648/(416) 648-5651/cell
cmcdowall@hccink.com