Nominations announced for the 2026 WGC Screenwriting Awards

From a media release:

The Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) is pleased to announce the nominations for the 30^th annual WGC Screenwriting Awards, marking three decades of recognizing the writers behind Canada’s most engaging and powerful series, films, and shorts. The Awards will take place at Koerner Hall in Toronto on Monday, April 27, hosted by Ali Hassan, and written by Kurt Smeaton.

Nominated for the 2026 Awards are scripts from North of North (Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, Garry Campbell, Aviaq Johnston, JP Larocque, Stacey Aglok Macdonald, Linsey Stewart), Bet (Simon Barry, Amanda Fahey, Laura Good, Tabia Lau, Kurt Mungal, Chris Roberts), Lana Longbeard (Emer Connon, Alex Ganetakos, Lienne Sawatsky), Mittens & Pants (Phil McCordic, Katherine Sandford), 18 to 35 (Rahul Chaturvedi, Kaveh Mohebbi), and many others.

Please see the complete list of categories and nominees below.

In addition to the nine featured screenwriting categories, the 30^th anniversary awards will also present several special honours. One WGC member will be awarded the prestigious Showrunner Award, a special prize honouring a recognized showrunner who has demonstrated great writing and leadership skills. Other special awards include the Alex Barris Mentorship Award, the McGrath Service Award, and the Margaret Collier Award, presented with supporting partner the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (the Canadian Academy).

CHILDREN’S

Dino Dex, “Dino Discovery” | Written by J.J. Johnson
Jane, “Pan troglodytes” | Written by J.J. Johnson
Lana Longbeard, “Going Overboard” | Written by Alex Ganetakos
Lana Longbeard, “It Takes Two to Durango Tango” | Written by Lienne Sawatsky
Lana Longbeard, “Lana the Something Super Great and Totally Awesome” | Written by Emer Connon

COMEDY SERIES

North of North, “Bad Influences” | Story by Aviaq Johnston & JP Larocque, Teleplay by Aviaq Johnston & Garry Campbell
North of North, “Dumpcano” | Written by Garry Campbell
North of North, “Joy to the Effing World” | Written by Alethea Arnaquq-Baril & Linsey Stewart
North of North, “Top of the World” | Written by Stacey Aglok Macdonald & Aletha Arnaquq-Baril
North of North, “Walrus D*ck Baseball” | Written by Moriah Sallaffie & Garry Campbell

DRAMA SERIES

Family Law, “It’s the End of the World as We Know It” | Written by Ken Craw
Family Law, “Play It Straight” | Written by Corey Liu
Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, “Tango Romeo” | Written by Tassie Cameron
Murdoch Mysteries, “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” | Written by Jenny Lee
Sight Unseen, “Family Matters” | Written by Lisa Codrington & Kay Shioma Metchie
Surrealestate, “Night Terrors” | Written by Justin Rawana

DOCUMENTARIES

Beavers From Above | Written by Michael McNamara
In the Room | Written by Brishkay Ahmed

FEATURE FILMS

Blueberry Grunt | Written by Sherry White
Dinner With Friends | Written by Tania Thompson & Sasha Leigh Henry
Honey Bunch | Written by Madeleine Sims-Fewer & Dusty Mancinelli
Nika & Madison | Written by Eva Thomas and Michael McGowan
Paige Darcy: Reluctant Detective | Written by Alice Moran

PRESCHOOL

Hop, “Benny’s Book Scare” | Written by Renae J. Ruddock
Mittens & Pants, “Mittens & Pants Christmas Special” | Written by Phil McCordic
Mittens & Pants, “Pants in the Box” | Written by Katherine Sandford
Paw Patrol, “Pups Save the Sea Sponges” | Written by Jeff Sager
Woolly Woolly, “Big BeeBee” | Written by Naomi Jardine

SHORT FILMS (UNDER 60 MINUTES)

I am Pleased | Written by Vanessa Magic
Now, I Am A Bear | Written by Jason Filiatrault

SHORT SERIES (EPISODES UNDER 15 MINUTES)

18 to 35, “Bed Math and Beyond” | Written by Rahul Chaturvedi
18 to 35, “Buck Mustang” | Written by Kaveh Mohebbi
Dying Seconds, “Have I Told You About This Hockey Card” | Written by Brendan Halloran
Fugget About It: Fan Favourites, “Gina’s Eleven… Minus Eight” | Written by Willem Wennekers
One Man’s Treasure – A Fool’s Fortune, “The Beginning” | Written by Thomas Conway

TWEENS & TEENS