TORONTO, Oct. 29 /CNW/ -- The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television today announced the first round of presenters for the 24th Annual Gemini Awards Broadcast Gala, taking place Saturday November 14 at the historic BMO Centre, Stampede Corral in Calgary, Alberta. Hosted by award-winning comedian Ron James, the event will be broadcast live on Global and Showcase at 9pm ET/PT. Public tickets are now available for purchase at www.ticketmaster.ca.

The lineup of Award Presenters includes:
-  Hugh Dillon - Flashpoint
-  Erin Karpluk - Being Erica
-  Jessica Lucas - Melrose Place
-  Amber Marshall and Graham Wardle - Heartland
-  Mark McKinney - Less Than Kind
-  Rick Mercer - The Rick Mercer Report
-  Cory Monteith - Glee
-  George Stroumboulopoulos - The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos

Presenters at this year's show will be invited to visit the exclusive 2009 Gemini Gift Lounge, featuring homegrown products from Calgary and surrounding area. Local contributors include:

Bodhi Tree Yoga Centre
Chichi Couture
Crave Cookies and Cakes Inc.
Holly Allen Jewellery
Hummingbird Medi Spa
KaaDiki by haithem elkadiki
Kula Klips
Longview Beef Jerky
Luscious Bags
Pink Sugar Boutique
Predator Ridge Resort
Shay Lowe
SilveRado Jewellery
Super Sexy People
Suzie Q Beads, Buttons & Bijoux
Other new and returning contributors to the 2009 Gemini Gift Lounge
include:
Bestseller Canada
JACK & JONES Jeans
John Frieda Collection
M-A-C Cosmetics
ONLY
Shaklee Canada Inc.
Starbucks Coffee Canada
The Butler Collection
Vera Moda
Zip.ca

For a detailed list of this year's Gift Lounge contributors, visit www.geminiawards.ca.

The 24th Annual Gemini Awards will be broadcast on Global and Showcase on Saturday November 14 - please check local listings for times. For a complete list of nominations, visit www.geminiawards.ca.

Launched by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television in 1986, The Gemini Awards honour outstanding achievements in the Canadian English-language television industry. The Gemini Awards bring together over 2,500 of Canada's most gifted craftspeople, producers and decision-makers over several evenings of special events.

About the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television:

Established in 1979, the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is a national, non-profit, professional association dedicated to the promotion, recognition, and celebration of exceptional achievements in Canadian film and television. Unifying professionals across Canada, the ACCT is a vital and integral force, representing all areas of the film and television industries.

About Canwest Broadcasting:

Canwest Broadcasting operates Global Television and eighteen of the country's most popular specialty channels, including HGTV, Mystery TV, National Geographic Channel, Showcase, History Television, Food Network and TVtropolis. Canwest Broadcasting is a division of Canwest Media Inc.

For media accreditation, please visit www.geminiawards.ca/press.