Everything about Sort Of, eh?

CBC and HBO Max renew Sort Of for a third season

From a media release:

CBC and HBO Max have renewed the Peabody Award-winning comedy series SORT OF for a third season. The CBC original series is a co-production with HBO Max and Sphere Media (formerly Sienna Films).

Created by Bilal Baig and Fab Filippo, the second season of the critically acclaimed comedy about a gender-fluid millennial in transition in every aspect of their life debuted November 15 on CBC and CBC Gem, and made its HBO Max premiere on December 1. A coming-of-age story, SORT OF exposes the labels we once poured ourselves into as no longer applicable… to anyone.

Bilal Baig, co-creator, co-showrunner, executive producer and lead actor quote: “It’s been such a creative and rewarding pleasure to sink deeply into the mess of the lives of these characters in season two. And I look so forward to continuing and expanding the mess, alongside Fab, our gifted writers, the generous teams at Sphere Media, CBC and HBO Max, and our gorgeous cast and crew!”

Sally Catto, General Manager, Entertainment, Factual & Sports, CBC quote: “Sort Of has made its way into the hearts of viewers and critics in Canada, the U.S. and around the world by embracing universal themes that we can all relate to, no matter who we love or how we self-identify. We are excited to continue our work with Bilal, Fab, HBO Max and Sphere Media, and to keep sharing Sabi’s story with audiences everywhere.”

Sarah Aubrey, Head of Original Content, HBO Max quote: “Baig and Filippo, alongside our partners at CBC and Sienna Films, continue to deliver a heartfelt, empathetic and engaging story and we’re thrilled we get to continue following Sabi, their family, 7ven and the Kaneko-Bauers on their journeys in the new season.”

Jennifer Kawaja, executive producer, Sphere Media quote: “We love these characters and are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue working with CBC and HBO Max to explore their lives.”

Called “easy to love” by Rolling Stone, season two of SORT OF made the publication’s list of the 20 Best TV Shows of 2022 and debuted in the US to another round of strong acclaim, including “still great” by NPR and “as big-hearted and introspective as its wonderful predecessor” by TIME. With a Gotham Award nomination for the first season, Baig has also been recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business and TIME’s Next Generation Leaders. 

The CBC and HBO Max Original series is created by Bilal Baig and Fab Filippo, who also serve as showrunners and executive producers, and produced with the participation of the Canada Media Fund. Sphere Media’s Jennifer Kawaja is also an executive producer on the series. SORT OF is distributed worldwide by Sphere Media. Abacus Media Rights handles sales outside of the United States and Latin America.

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Links: Sort Of, Season 2

From Tobin Ng of Broadview:

Link: Sort Of star Bilal Baig on what fans can look forward to in Season 2
Sabi (Bilal Baig) and their best friend, 7ven (Amanda Cordner), are standing in the alley by Sabi’s apartment. Sabi’s on the phone, half speaking to the caller, half distracted by 7ven’s enthusiastic questions. It’s the fourth time Baig has run through the scene for Sort Of’s new season, but you wouldn’t be able to tell from their composure. Continue reading.

From Emma Teitel of the Toronto Star:

Link: Queer family relationships are complicated. But Bilal Baig’s hit show ‘Sort of’ gets it
Like the 28-year-old actor and writer who co-created the show and is its star, Sabi uses they/them pronouns, wears their hair long, dresses femme and sports manicures and bangles. This fact plagues Sabi’s well-meaning, conservative dad, Imran, so much so he mostly ignores it. “You’re really handy,” he says leaning on the ladder as Sabi, a former electrician, works the wires above. “You’re going to make a very good husband to a nice lady someday.” Continue reading.

From Soraya Roberts of Maclean’s:

Link: The Uncertain Stardom of Bilal Baig
The first time Bilal Baig discussed gender with their parents was last fall, a week before the premiere of Sort Of, the CBC series inspired in part by Baig’s life. Yes, they know they should have done it earlier. Or at least before network promos began beaming Baig’s face into homes across the country. Continue reading.

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Winners announced for 21st annual DGC Awards

From a media release:

The DGC is delighted to announce the winners of the 2022 DGC Awards. The Guild received over 450 submissions this year for both film and television categories.

OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN FEATURE FILM
David Cronenberg – Crimes of the Future

ALLAN KING AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN DOCUMENTARY
Madison Thomas – Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On

DGC JEAN-MARC VALLÉE DISCOVERY AWARD
Anthony Shim – Riceboy Sleeps

BEST SHORT FILM
Hayley Gray – Send the Rain                              

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN – FEATURE FILM
Tamara Deverell – Nightmare Alley

BEST PICTURE EDITING – FEATURE FILM
Cam McLauchlin – Nightmare Alley

BEST PICTURE EDITING – DOCUMENTARY
Sarah Peddie – Unloved: Huronia’s Forgotten Children    

BEST SOUND EDITING – FEATURE FILM
Nathan Robitaille, Jill Purdy, Dashen Naidoo, Josh Brown, Nelson Ferreira, Kayla Stewart, Craig MacLellan, Kevin Banks – Nightmare Alley

OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMATIC SERIES
Charles Officer – The Porter, Episode 101, Episode 1

OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY SERIES
Fabrizio Filippo – Sort Of, Episode 101Sort of Gone

OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN FAMILY SERIES
Melanie Orr – The Hardy Boys, Episode 207, The Doctor’s Orders

OUTSTANDING DIRECTORIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN MOVIES FOR TELEVISION AND MINI-SERIES
Helen Shaver – Station Eleven, Episode 108, Who’s There?

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN – DRAMATIC SERIES
Elisabeth Williams – The Handmaid’s Tale, Episode 405, Chicago

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN – MOVIES FOR TELEVISION AND MINI-SERIES
Elisa Sauvé – Sneakerella

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN – COMEDY OR FAMILY SERIES
Zoë Sakellaropoulo – Ghosts, Episode 109, Alberta’s Fan
Zoë Sakellaropoulo – The Bold Type, Episode 505, Don’t Turn Away

BEST PICTURE EDITING – DRAMATIC SERIES
Ana Yavari – The Handmaid’s Tale, Episode 407, Home
 
BEST PICTURE EDITING – MOVIES FOR TELEVISION AND MINI-SERIES
Maureen Grant – Stolen by Their Father

BEST PICTURE EDITING – COMEDY OR FAMILY SERIES
Lee Walker – Astrid and Lilly Save the World, Episode 105, A-Borg

BEST SOUND EDITING – DRAMATIC SERIES
David McCallum, Ed Douglas, Marvyn Dennis, Peter Thillaye, Kayla Stewart, Jean Bot – The Porter, Episode 108, Episode 8
 
BEST SOUND EDITING – MOVIES FOR TELEVISION AND MINI-SERIES
Jane Tattersall, Brennan Mercer, Martin Gwynn Jones, David Caporale – The North Water, Episode 103, Homo Homini Lupus

BEST SOUND EDITING – COMEDY OR FAMILY SERIES
John Douglas Smith, Kayla Stewart, Paul Talbott, Kelly McGahey, Taylor Brockelsby, Kevin Banks – Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, Episode 112, Into the Trash

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @DGCTalent. Use the hashtag #DGCAwards to join the conversation!

The Directors Guild of Canada (DGC) is a national labour organization that represents over 6,000 key creative and logistical personnel in the screen-based industry covering all areas of direction, design, production and editing. The DGC negotiates and administers collective agreements and lobbies extensively on issues of concern for Members including Canadian content conditions, CRTC regulations and ensuring that funding is maintained for Canadian film & television programming.

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CBC announces fall 2022 premiere dates for new and returning series

From a media release:

CBC today announced broadcast and streaming premiere dates for its fall 2022 slate of new and returning programming, including 26 original series and specials from Canadian creators, producers, and storytellers reflecting people, places and perspectives from across the country. The new fall primetime schedule launches Monday, September 12 on CBC TV and CBC Gem.

CBC and CBC Gem Fall 2022 Primetime Schedule launching Monday, September 12:
All following times are local. For Newfoundland and Labrador, please add half an hour to all times.

MONDAYS
7 PM – CORONATION STREET (continuing weekdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m. beginning September 16)
7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA Season 4 (104×30) Mondays to Thursdays; premieres the week of September 12
8 PM – MURDOCH MYSTERIES Season 16 (24×60) premieres September 12
9 PM – THE NORTH WATER (6×60) premieres September 12
9 PM – RIDLEY ROAD (4×60) premieres October 24
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

TUESDAYS
7 PM – CORONATION STREET (continuing weekdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m. beginning September 16)
7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA Season 4 (104×30) Mondays to Thursdays; premieres the week of September 12
8 PM – THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES Season 30 (24×30) premieres September 13
8:30 PM – STRAYS Season 2 (10×30) premieres September 13
9 PM – COMEDY NIGHT WITH RICK MERCER (8×60) premieres September 13
9 PM – SORT OF Season 2 (8×30) premieres November 15 with back-to-back episodes
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

WEDNESDAYS
7 PM – CORONATION STREET (continuing weekdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m. beginning September 16)
7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA Season 4 (104×30) Mondays to Thursdays; premieres the week of September 12
8 PM – SUMMIT ‘72 (4×60) premieres September 14
8 PM – DIGGSTOWN Season 4 (6×60) premieres October 12
9 PM – WAR OF THE WORLDS Season 3 (8×60) premieres September 14
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

THURSDAYS
7 PM – CORONATION STREET (continuing weekdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m. beginning September 16)
7:30 PM – FAMILY FEUD CANADA Season 4 (104×30) Mondays to Thursdays; premieres the week of September 12
8 PM – DRAGONS’ DEN Season 17 (10×60) premieres September 15
9 PM – THE FIFTH ESTATE Season 48 (16×60) premieres September 29
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

FRIDAYS
7 PM – CORONATION STREET (continuing weekdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m. beginning September 16)
7:30 PM – CORONATION STREET (weekdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m.)
8 PM – THE PASSIONATE EYE (9×60, 1×120) premieres September 16 with Jennifer Baichwal’s INTO THE WEEDS before moving to its regular 9 PM timeslot
8 PM – MARKETPLACE Season 50 (16×30, 1×60) premieres October 7 with a one-hour 50th anniversary special
8:30 PM – TRAVEL MAN: 48 HOURS IN… (8×30) premieres October 14
9 PM – THE PASSIONATE EYE (9×60, 1×120) continues September 23 in its regular 9 PM timeslot
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

SATURDAYS
Afternoons – CBC SPORTS
Evenings – Canadian feature films continue
Evenings – HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA beginning in October

SUNDAYS
7 PM – HEARTLAND Season 16 (15×60) premieres October 2
8 PM – THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW Season 6 (9×60) premieres October 2
9 PM – MOONSHINE Season 2 (8×60) premieres October 2
10 PM – THE NATIONAL

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WGC Screenwriting Awards 2022 winners announced

From a media release:

In a funny, lively virtual ceremony held this evening, host Nile Séguin announced the winners of the 26th annual Writers Guild of Canada Screenwriting Awards.

Some winners of 2022’s top prizes include Bilal Baig & Fab Filippo (Sort Of), Michael McGowan (All My Puny Sorrows), Tassie Cameron & Sherry White (Pretty Hard Cases), and Amanda Joy (The Parker Andersons I Amelia Parker).

Special awards were also presented to Carolyn Saunders, winner of the Sondra Kelly Award, and Matt Huether, who was awarded the Alex Barris Mentorship Award. Anthony Q. Farrell, creator and showrunner of Overlord and the Underwoods and The Parker Andersons I Amelia Parker, received the night’s final prize, the Showrunner Award. The Denis McGrath Award for Service to the WGC was also presented to Michael Amo, who has served the Guild for the past 12 years as a member of Council, representing the Atlantic region.

Please see below for the complete list of winning scripts and screenwriters.

The 27th Annual WGC Screenwriting Awards are now being planned and hopefully, we will be celebrating live once again. In the meantime, 2022’s presentation will be posted to the WGC YouTube Channel.

A digital program, listing all nominations, nominees and special awards winners, is also available here for download.

2022 WGC SCREENWRITING AWARDS WINNERS

CHILDREN’S
Odd Squad Mobile Unit, “H2 Oh No” I Written by Lakna Edilima

COMEDY SERIES
Sort Of, “Sort of Gone” I Written by Bilal Baig & Fab Filippo

DRAMA SERIES
Pretty Hard Cases, “Bananas” I Written by Tassie Cameron & Sherry White

FEATURE FILM
All My Puny Sorrows I Written by Michael McGowan

MOW & MINISERIES
As Gouda As It Gets I Written by James Phillips

PRESCHOOL
Elinor Wonders Why, “Olive’s Tree” I Written by Michael Foulke

SHORTS & WEBSERIES
My Pride: The Series “Fire” I Written by Maddi Patton

TWEENS & TEENS
The Parker Andersons I Amelia Parker, “Joy” I Written by Amanda Joy

SONDRA KELLY AWARD
Carolyn Saunders

ALEX BARRIS MENTORSHIP AWARD
Matt Huether

DENIS MCGRATH AWARD FOR SERVICE TO THE WGC
Michael Amo

SHOWRUNNER AWARD
Anthony Q. Farrell

ABOUT THE WGC
The Writers Guild of Canada represents more than 2,500 professional English-language screenwriters across Canada, the creators of Canadian entertainment enjoyed on all screens. WGC.ca @WGCtweet

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