The CAFTCAD Awards

The CAFTCAD Awards: a long overdue celebration of Canadian costume arts and design, recognizing the immensity of talent in this country. The scope of the awards will reflect the range of abilities in contemporary, period and fantasy elements, differing media platforms, running lengths and budgets.

Costume designers and artisans who are either Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada and have worked on projects (feature film, short film, television, music videos, web series, commercials) which have been produced within Canada (costumes must have been primarily built/created in Canada) will be eligible. The eligibility period for the 2023 CAFTCAD Awards is September 1, 2021 to March 1, 2023 for projects that have been released theatrically, online, on streaming services, on television/cable, or participated in accredited film festivals. 

Prize Categories will include: Film: Contemporary, Film: Period, Film: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, TV: Contemporary, TV: Period, TV: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Original Web Series, Commercials, Music Videos, Short Films, The Nobis Industry Icon Award, The Costume Design in TV & Film International Award as well as craft categories for Excellence in Textiles, Building and Illustration.

Our CAFTCAD Awards Event will take place at the prestigious Aga Khan Museum on Sunday March 5, 2023 in Toronto, Canada.

Cresting on the excitement of awards season, the evening will consist of red carpets photos, pre-event cocktails and h’or deurves, up-close costume displays of nominated costumes, a portrait photo lounge and all within the dramatic lit up atrium of the gorgeous Aga Khan Museum. The ceremony itself will be hosted and presented by Canadian actors and costume design icons accompanied by striking media presentations. Following the ceremony, the bar and dance floor will be open for our guests along with cheese and dessert platters.

“A ceremony which honours the excellence in design achievements of Canadian costumers and artisans is long overdue. Their contribution to the evolution of the Canadian film and television industry cannot be underestimated and recognizing these immense talents with a proper event that allows for nation-wide eligibility is something I am very proud to be spearheading,” said Event Chair, Joanna Syrokomla.

The CAFTCAD Awards is an incorporated, not for profit entity made up of enthusiastic volunteers who believe strongly that Film, Television and Media Arts Costume Design and Arts in Canada deserve their own recognition at a gala event.

ABOUT CAFTCAD

THE CANADIAN ALLIANCE OF FILM & TELEVISION COSTUME ARTS & DESIGN

CAFTCAD began from a collective desire to bring together costume professionals from all corners of the industry, regardless of union affiliation. Through shared interest, respect and passion for the costume arts, CAFTCAD provides its members with an online and physical forum, promoting open discussion, shared learning, resources and professional networking.

Promotion of our members profiles, achievements and projects are just some of CAFTCAD’s many goals. Educational seminars, speaker series, industry product information, events and related promotions from our suppliers play an active role in creative and professional development. Focus is also placed on increasing both public and media awareness of our craft.

From our honorary members to emerging students of costume, we embrace the full spectrum of experience and knowledge embodied by our membership. We celebrate the contributions of Canadian costume designers and artisans in the international industry of filmmaking.

With support from the fashion industry that includes suppliers, wholesalers, retailers and fashion designers combined with the film industry’s unions, guilds, suppliers and retailers, our goal is to establish branding recognition of our organization, its members, their talent and services available within Canada.

As we continue to combine the forces of local costume professionals we also have plans to expand beyond our province’s borders. Our intent is to evolve into a nationwide association, establishing local chapters in every film centre in the country, providing a national organization for all Canadian costume professionals.

CAFTCAD was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization May 2nd, 2008. We have established by-laws and a constitution, criteria, levels of membership and a structured election process. Our Executive Board is made up of all three sectors of our industry, providing a clear, non-partisan membership-driven vision of the Alliance’s mandate and goals.

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All photos on this website are owned by CAFTCAD and have been selected from previous CAFTCAD Celebrates Canadian Costume events during the Toronto Film Festival.