Industry heavyweights including veteran stage and screen actor Christopher Plummer, Oscar-winner Denys Arcand and the late Ted Rogers, media titan and head of Rogers Communications, were inducted into the Canadian Film and Television Hall of Fame at a glitzy affair Monday in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood, and event sponsor Audi certainly shared the celeb spotlight. 

The third annual event, organized by Playback magazine and attended by 250 industry leaders, feted 10 honorees in all: famed director David Cronenberg, industry builder Maria Topalovich, distributor Victor Loewy and broadcaster Patrick Watson were also among the inductees, alongside past pioneers including actor Chief Dan George, animator Norman McLaren and Mr. Dressup star Ernie Coombs.

The show kicked off with actor Viggo Mortensen introducing Cronenberg, and thus began Audi’s exponential exposure at the event. Cronenberg, who is known for his love of fast cars such as Ferraris and Porsches, also has an Audi R8, so was given the latest model to drive for the day. He arrived in the vehicle, and graciously thanked Audi during his acceptance speech. His extra perk was then noted by many of the subsequent luminaries at the podium, such as Denys Arcand, humorously lamenting that no one gave him an Audi to play with, and that Cronenberg always gets the better deal.

However, Audi did not feature in the rhymes of legendary actor Christopher Plummer, who recited a poem as he received his statue in the talent category, referring to his love of Canada: ‘My heart wasn’t full until I felt the pull of that country I so loved.’

Playback, Canada’s film and television magazine and daily news service, is published by Brunico Communications, parent co. of MiC.