The ceremony was hosted by broadcaster Bill Walker and actress Louise Marleau.
This group was independently incorporated as the Canadian Film Awards; its executive was members of industry associations, guilds and unions.
A statue was commissioned from sculptor Sorel Etrog, public screenings were instituted, and the selection process was revamped, with nomination committees pre-selecting entries for consideration by a five-member international jury.
For this year, 181 films were entered, and the committees nominated 50 for final consideration.
But the jury ignored committee recommendations for Best Cinematography and Best Direction and made its own choices.