The 1st Canadian Film Awards were presented on April 27, 1949 to honour achievements in Canadian film.
The awards came into being at a May 1947 conference of forty-four organizations connected to the Canadian Association for Adult Education, where it was decided that awards should be given to distinguished Canadian radio programs and films.
The awards should be similar in stature to the Governor General Awards for Literature, and they should raise standards in film and radio, help Canadians understand the work of Canadian artists and broadcasters, and recognize Canadian creative effort.
The prize to each winner was an original painting by a Canadian artist, valued at $50.00.
[1] The ceremony, which took place at Ottawa's Little Elgin Theatre, was hosted by politician Robert Winters.