This weekend marks the most important in Canadian TV and film. The celebration of homegrown media by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, spotlights the best in front of and behind the camera with glitzy events in Toronto and online, culminating in the Canadian Screen Awards, hosted by Lisa Gilroy, this Sunday at 8 p.m. on CBC and CBC Gem.
Academy CEO Tammy Frick (pictured above) says things have kicked into hyper drive as she and the team head into the weekend. And, with Friday’s News, Entertainment, Sports, Documentary, Factual, Lifestyle and Reality awards; Saturday’s Cinematic Arts and Scripted Television awards; and Sunday’s gala, we’re not surprised things are moving fast.
Frick shared her thoughts on this year’s categories, the importance of celebrating Canadian content, and more.
How has the awards preparation gone so far?
Tammy Frick: Really well. Behind the scenes is just so incredible to watch all of this come together. I think people would be totally amazed. We should just run around with GoPros and create a little documentary at some point to show people the complexity of how this all comes together. But I’ll say emotionally, it’s so heartfelt at the end of it, when you see it all come together and you see people in the room and the beautiful speeches, the acceptance speeches, and just the moments that happen. So it’s so incredibly worth it, but it’s a lot of work. I have to give so much credit to our Academy internal team and our external producers. The patience, the level of professionalism that they bring to this is really impressive.
Is there an unofficial or official theme to this year’s awards?
TF: Last year we were really moving towards this feeling that, of course, the insiders partake in the show and want to watch the show and are so incredibly interested. So we’re just elevating that entertainment value. We want insiders to be engaged, and we also want the broader audience to be fully entertained. Our host, Lisa Gilroy, she’s so incredibly talented, witty, energetic, and just really knows how to connect with an audience. We’re excited to have her on stage, and we truly feel that a great awards program needs a lot of humour built in, and that’s the direction we’re taking with the show.
What are your thoughts on the proposed tariffs on U.S. productions being filmed outside of America?
TF: It’s a big conversation that’s taking place right now, and there are a lot of different viewpoints and there’s a lot of uncertainty. I think the Academy’s position we believe in unequivocally, is that Canadian talent is amazing, and it resonates not just here in Canada, but it is a global, it’s content that’s taken in globally and is equally as successful in a broader world. I think we just really need to remind people that we’re resilient and we need to stay united, and that our creative talent out there are our true storytellers and their level of authentic storytelling resonates not just here in Canada, but abroad.
This week is really a celebration of Canadian television and film. How do you feel about the state of the industry and the content?
TF: The world has evolved in how the public takes in content. We now have the introduction of streamers, and everything’s just so accessible. And when we look at the nominees, this isn’t just an opportunity for the Academy to celebrate this wonderful talent, a peer group that comes together to truly spotlight what’s happening in the industry. And then we take it a little step further, and there’s still that discoverability piece. We’re completely aware that the moment is homegrown. Canadians are really paying attention across various industries, and we’re taking advantage of that moment. We truly feel that this awards program will even further spotlight our domestic talent because people are just paying attention in a much bigger way, which is a great thing.
Looking at the TV drama and comedy categories, I’m impressed with the breadth of storytelling being represented.
TF: What a way to truly celebrate Canada because the selection is so incredibly diverse. We’re telling these authentic stories that are resonating, and that’s why we see them on these lists.
Can you tell me a little bit about Sunday’s live Canadian Screen Awards?
TF: We have some pretty incredible presenters that’ll be up there on stage. Some special moments that we have built in as well. We have our Special Award winners. We have a wonderful tribute to Donald Sutherland planned. It’ll be a moment for everyone to just take a moment to remember and to pay their respects. The full In Memoriam piece will have a live performance by Murray Lightburn, who’s also nominated for Best Music in a Feature Documentary.
Are there any TV shows that you’ve been addicted to?
TF: I’m a huge Andrew Phung fan, I just love Run the Burbs. At the end of my day when I feel I just need some silliness, that’s the kind of stuff I watch. Children Ruin Everything, I’ve got a couple of kids, so it’s like PTSD. I tend to really lean into those comedy moments, and that keeps me going.
Stream or watch the Canadian Screen Awards this weekend and Sunday.
Images courtesy of George Pimentel Photography
