About the night
Celebrate an evening of excellence at our Awards Gala Night. The night will begin with a special entertainment segment, followed by the presentation of awards recognizing outstanding achievements and innovations from across the industry. The evening will conclude with a sit-down dinner with light music, offering an opportunity to connect and celebrate together.
Meet This Year’s Award Winners
KRISTEN IVERSEN
Winner of Performing Arts Safety Ambassador Award
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Kirsten Iverson has worked in the industry for 20 years and currently serves as the Front of House Manager for the Royal and McPherson Theatres. As the co‑chair of the Joint Health and Safety Committee, she has been instrumental in modernizing the organization’s safety program to meet current standards.
She actively advocates for adequate staffing levels, responsible liquor service, and appropriate security coverage. Kirsten also introduced meaningful safety drills to the organization and has championed a consistent training program for all new and young workers.
MICHAEL POTKINS
Winner of Motion Picture Safety Ambassador Award
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Michael Potkins has worked in the motion picture industry since 1992 and has been a Production Manager since 1994. Throughout his many years of line producing and production managing, he has been a consistent advocate for safe work practices.
He always advocates for proper planning and controls for high‑risk work—such as coordinating more than 100 crew members on a rooftop at night while ensuring comprehensive fall‑protection measures are in place.
Michael is also a dedicated supporter of the Joint Health and Safety Committee. He ensures his crews receive the training they need, actively participates in inspections, and maintains an open‑door approach for discussing safety concerns.
MARK KNOWLES
Winner of Best Joint Health and Safety Committee Award
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Mark Knowles is the Occupational Health and Safety Manager at the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), where he has worked for 10 years. He is accepting this award on behalf of his entire team, whose efforts have helped build a strong safety culture rooted in participation and inclusion.
Together, they have created an environment where everyone feels their voice matters, recognizing that the insight and expertise of frontline workers are key to delivering effective training and education. By engaging with workers, asking questions, and truly listening, they have built trust across the organization—making it easier for people to speak up and raise concerns, knowing they will be heard.
DAVID MCINTOSH
Winner of Motion Picture Safety Innovation Award
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David McIntosh is a veteran Key Rigging Grip and film industry innovator with decades of experience working on major motion picture and television productions.
In 2016, McIntosh and his partners Steve Smith, Mike Branham, and Michael Kirilenko received a Scientific and Technical Achievement Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the development of the Aircover Inflatables Airwall system — a groundbreaking inflatable green screen support system designed to improve safety, efficiency, and flexibility on film sets.
The Airwall revolutionized large-scale visual effects production by reducing the need for heavy traditional rigging while offering safer solutions in challenging weather conditions. The technology has since been used on numerous blockbuster productions worldwide.
COLE WINNY
Winner of 2026 Aspiring Filmmaker Award
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Cole Winny is a Canadian student filmmaker raised on Bowen Island, BC. He has been making films for close to a decade and has received multiple awards for his filmmaking in recent years. He is transitioning from Rockridge Secondary to SFU Film in Fall 2026. He is an enthusiastic, creatively driven, social and outgoing person. His film "The Molding" was recently selected to screen at VIYFF 2026 and is a 2 time WorkSafeBC Winner.
JOURNEY BENSON
Winner of 2026 Aspiring Filmmaker Award
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Journey Benson is an 18 year old aspiring film maker. She has lived on Bowen Island all of her life, and discovered a passion for film over the years of her childhood. Throughout her time at Rockridge Secondary School, her interest in the art of film was greatly encouraged. With that, she was able to create pieces such as “The Book of Worksafe Wisdom” which has gone on to be recognized nationally. Journey would like to thank her family and friends for getting her to where she is. She is excited to continue filmmaking, and hopes to become the next big Directory of Photography!
GRIFFIN OCCLESHAW
Winner of 2025 Aspiring Filmmaker Award
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Griffin Occleshaw is a second year student at Capilano University studying film, where he focusses on lighting and electrics. Outside of class, he continues to direct his own projects similar to the Worksafe video.
ISAAC SMYTH
Winner of 2025 Aspiring Filmmaker Award
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Isaac Smyth is an actor, as well as a criminal justice student. He grew up in northern Ontario and moved to BC when he was 10 years old. He has worked in many different work settings, from restaurants, customer service and other industries. This project meant something to him as he was able to combine his passion for film making as well as his experience working and shed light on the importance of work safety!