Officer of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: November 16, 2021
• Invested on: May 02, 2024

Helga Stephenson, O.C., O.Ont.
Toronto, Ontario

Helga Stephenson is an impassioned and effective ambassador for Canadian film and television. Throughout a career spanning four decades, this trailblazing executive left an indelible mark on the organizations she steered, notably the Academy of Canadian Film & Television and the Toronto International Film Festival, the success of which has positioned Canada as an international leader in the industry. A champion for social justice, she co-founded Human Rights Watch Canada, as well as its associated film festival, which raises awareness of injustice and empowers audiences to advocate for the oppressed worldwide.