Entertainment

Canadian documentary The Exhibition wins at International Emmy Awards

The film, about an artist's struggle to mount an exhibition linked to Robert Pickton's victims, won in the arts programming category at the gala in New York.

The feature documentary won in the arts programming category at the gala in New York

Canadian documentary, The Exhibition, wins International Emmy Award

10 years ago
Duration 2:02
Director Damon Vignale and producer Miho Yamamoto on their film's win at the International Emmy Awards in New York.

Canadians got global recognition at the International Emmy Awards in New York Monday night with the documentary The Exhibition winning the arts programming category.

The feature documentary, directed by Damon Vignale, traces the story of Vancouver artist, Pamela Masik, and the backlash she received while trying to mount a large-scale exhibition of paintings of the victims of serial killer Robert Pickton.

"It's just exciting to know that you can put a camera on your shoulder and go out and make a film from the streets of Vancouver and end up in New York," said Vignale.

"It was a tough subject. We're happy that the film is getting out there and people are recognizing that it is an issue and it's worth talking about."

  • On mobile? Watch The Exhibition trailer here

Vignale and producer Miho Yamamoto received the award from American rapper Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson.

The highlight of Monday night's awards gala at the Hilton New York came when Mad Men stars Christina Hendricks and John Slattery presented the honorary International Emmy Founders Award to the show's creator and executive producer Matthew Weiner, who's preparing the final episodes of the advertising agency saga to air in spring 2015.

Matthew Weiner on Mad Men

10 years ago
Duration 0:37
Matthew Weiner, Mad Men's executive producer and honorary International Emmy Founders Award winner, describes how the hit show changed his life.
  • On mobile? Watch Matthew Weiner talk to CBC News here

Slattery praised his friend and boss for creating "one of the most internationally acclaimed and impactful shows in the history of the medium."

It "has been a privilege and lesson to behold seeing him put together this incredibly specific, emotionally complicated, intelligent and funny world of unpredictable characters in a historical context we all knew or thought we knew," said Slattery.

Weiner noted that despite initial doubts "Mad Men" has reached people throughout the world. "Nationalism drives people apart but entertainment brings us together," he said.

The complete list of winners can be found here.

With files from the Associated Press