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Awards, Featured

CBC, Bell Media, and Corus come together to broadcast The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards on May 31

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From a media release:

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (the Canadian Academy) announced today a landmark partnership that will bring three of Canada’s top broadcasters together to simulcast The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards, a first-of-its-kind award show that will extend this annual celebration of Canadian film and television to more Canadians than ever. Happening on May 31 at the CBC Broadcast Centre in Toronto, The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards will broadcast and stream at 8:00 PM ET on CBC, CBC Gem, Crave, CTV, Global, and STACKTV.

Taking the stage as host is Canadian actor and comedian Andrew Phung, an eight-time Canadian Screen Award winner for his iconic roles in both Kim’s Convenience and Run the Burbs. 

“At this pivotal and transformational moment for our industry, it is invigorating to see three powerhouse Canadian broadcasters unite to present The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards,” said Tammy Frick, CEO, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. “This unprecedented collaboration underscores the strength of our creative community, and the importance of celebrating Canadian stories on a national stage. We are also thrilled to welcome this year’s host, Andrew Phung, whose genuine rapport, infectious energy, and deep connection with audiences across the country make him a standout choice to lead our celebration of Canadian excellence.”

“As the lead broadcaster of the Canadian Screen Awards and the national public broadcaster, we are always looking for new ways to celebrate and elevate our incredible talent in Canada,” said Sally Catto, General Manager, Entertainment, Factual and Sports, CBC. “We are thrilled to join forces with Bell Media and Corus to champion Canadian storytelling, and bring the awards to more audiences across Canada than ever before.”

“Through this collaboration with the Academy and our Canadian broadcast and streaming partners, Bell Media is proud to help amplify the Canadian Screen Awards.  We look forward to joining Canadians in celebrating homegrown storytelling and honouring the exceptional talent that defines excellence in Canadian film and television,” said Justin Stockman, VP, Content Development & Programming, Bell Media.

“Corus is proud to join our fellow broadcasters in delivering this important celebration of Canadian excellence to audiences across the country,” said Jennifer Abrams, SVP of Content and Marketing, Corus Entertainment. “Canadian storytelling has always been a cornerstone of our programming, and we’re deeply committed to investing in culturally relevant original content that is intentionally shaped by what audiences are passionate about. We’re delighted to celebrate and amplify that storytelling when The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards airs on Global and STACKTV.”

Hosted by actor and comedian Andrew Phung, The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards is Canada’s biggest night in entertainment, honouring homegrown film and television excellence alongside living legends and rising stars. Taking place in Toronto and simulcast on CBC, CBC Gem, Crave, CTV, Global, and STACKTV for the first time ever, The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards will feature meaningful tributes to entertainment icons and never-before-seen TV moments, inviting viewers into a distinctly Canadian celebration of the stories that unite us all.

“I am so over-the-moon excited to be hosting the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards – I’ve wanted this gig for years!” said Andrew Phung. “Canadian Screen Week is such a highlight for our industry, and I’m so excited to spotlight the people and Canadian stories that make our industry so special. Personally, the Canadian Academy has meant so much to me. I won my first Canadian Screen Award in 2017 and it elevated my career in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

Comedian, actor, and host Andrew Phung’s infectious and relatable personality has made him one of Canada’s top and most recognized comedic performers. He is best known for his award-winning performance on the hit CBC original and Netflix show, Kim’s Convenience, where he won five Canadian Screen Awards in the category of Best Supporting Actor, Comedy. Andrew is also the co-creator, executive producer, and star of the CBC original and Hulu series Run the Burbs, for which he won the 2025 Canadian Screen Award for Best Lead Performer, Comedy. His other recent television credits include LOL: Last One Laughing Canada on Amazon Prime Video Canada, and he’s the host of the new cooking competition series Big Burger Battle on Corus’ Flavour Network.

The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards will be presented as part of Canadian Screen Week 2026, which takes place from Wednesday, May 27 to Sunday, May 31 in Toronto. The full schedule of events can be found on CanadianScreenWeek.ca. 

The nominees for the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards will be announced on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 7:00 AM ET on Academy.ca/nominees. Additionally, the Canadian Academy has several exciting announcements that will be shared in the lead-up to Canadian Screen Week 2026, including this year’s class of Special Award recipients. For more information, please visit Academy.ca.

Image courtesy of George Pimentel.

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Industry News

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television appoints Tammy Frick as CEO

From a media release:

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (the Canadian Academy) announced today the appointment of Tammy Frick as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective Monday, October 31, 2022. Frick joins the organization following a search led by the Board of Directors of the Canadian Academy, succeeding Beth Janson who left the organization in April 2022.

With 27 years of experience as Executive Director of Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival, Frick will assume leadership for the largest non-profit professional media arts organization in Canada and will oversee both the National and Quebec branches of the Canadian Academy. Her dedication to innovation and the growth of the Canadian screen-based industries, along with her passion for developing creative works and opportunities for talent both in front of and behind the camera, will bring a unique perspective to the Canadian Academy’s ongoing mission to foster industry growth, knowledge, inclusion, and mentorship.

“After an extensive search, we are extremely confident that we have found a fantastic candidate to lead the Canadian Academy,” said John Young, Chair, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. “Tammy’s experience and knowledge of the industry will be extremely beneficial to advancing our hard work towards developing, recognizing, celebrating and advocating for Canadian talent in Canada’s screen-based industry. On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire organization, I’d like to offer a sincere thank you to Louis Calabro for guiding us through the last six months and leaving the Academy in a great place for Tammy to step in and continue to help us make impactful change.”

“I am honoured and thrilled to enter this chapter as the Canadian Academy’s next CEO. It is a privilege to be granted this opportunity to further develop my passion for the Canadian content industry as the leader of such an important organization,” said Frick, incoming CEO, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. “While I will certainly miss my family at Cinéfest Sudbury and am incredibly proud of all that we have achieved, I am elated to bring my years of knowledge and experience, along with a fresh perspective, to this organization to help further develop our country’s world class industry.”

Frick has always been an integral part of the vibrant arts community in Northern Ontario and beyond. In addition to her  tenure as Executive Director of Cinéfest Sudbury,  she has served on the  board  of directors of several organizations, including as a founding member of Music and  Film in Motion (MFM), which transitioned to Cultural Industries Ontario North (CION) in 2014. A strong believer in the mission of the organization, which seeks to promote and foster the ongoing expansion of the media arts sector in Northern Ontario, Frick took on a secondary role as CION’s Associate Executive Director in addition to her responsibilities with Cinefest. Frick was honoured with a Crystal Award for Outstanding Achievement in Business by Women in Film & TV (WIFT-Toronto) in 2019.

With Frick’s appointment, effective October 31, 2022, Interim CEO, Louis Calabro, will resume his key leadership role at the Academy executive level.

About the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television
The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is the largest non-profit professional arts organization in Canada. We are dedicated to recognizing, advocating for, and celebrating Canadian talent in the film, television, and digital media sectors. Our more than 4,000 members encompass industry icons and professionals, emerging artists, and students. Collectively, we deliver professional development programs and networking opportunities that foster industry growth, inclusion, and mentorship. The organization also produces the Canadian Screen Awards, bringing together the screen-based industries annually to celebrate the country’s top talent at Canadian Screen Week.

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Industry News

Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television now accepting applications for its Women Directors Program

From a media release:

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (the Canadian Academy) today announced it is accepting applications for the third edition of its Canadian Academy Directors Program for Women. This year, Pinewood Toronto Studios joins the program as a sponsor, along with the continued support of Netflix, The RBC Emerging Artists Project, and Canada Media Fund. Submissions will be accepted starting today until Friday, June 21, 2019.

Formerly known as the Academy Apprenticeship for Women Directors, the Canadian Academy Directors Program for Women is designed to bolster the professional development of Canada’s women directors. Its activities provide invaluable and engaging hands-on experiences, including an exclusive professional development symposium, an online learning module, and curated on-set placements with high-profile directors and established production companies.

The 2019 Selection Committee comprises: Tracey Deer (Filmmaker/Director/Writer); Bill Evans (Executive Director, Alberta Media Production Industries Association); Moira Griffin (Producer & Strategist, New Bumper and Paint Productions); Caroline Habib (VP Development, New Metric Media); Christine Haebler (President & Producer, Terminal City Pictures); Kadidja Haïdara (Writer); Floyd Kane; (Showrunner & Executive Producer, Freddie Films); Mark Slone (President, Pacific Northwest Pictures); and Carole Vivier (CEO/Film Commissioner, Manitoba Film & Music).

Last year’s cohort includes: Kirsten Carthew (Yellowknife); Alicia K. Harris (Toronto); Kathleen Hepburn (Vancouver); Tiffany Hsiung (Toronto); Halima Ouardiri (Montreal); Kristina Wagenbauer (Montreal); Allison White (St. John’s); and Asia Youngman (Vancouver).

The coveted program is now accepting applications and those interested in applying can do so at no cost. The application period is May 23 to June 21, 2019.

The Canadian Academy and the Selection Committee of distinguished industry professionals will review the submissions and identify a shortlist of 20 applicants. Those shortlisted will have a video interview with the Academy in early August, with the final eight (8) emerging* women directors of this year’s program announced in late August.

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Awards, Industry News

Beth Janson appointed CEO of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television

From a media release:

Beth Janson has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, it was announced today by Academy Chair Martin Katz. A Montreal native, Janson is the former Executive Director of the Tribeca Film Institute.

Janson assumes the CEO position on June 1, 2016, succeeding outgoing CEO Helga Stephenson, who will officially step down May 31, following her resignation in February of this year.

As CEO, Janson will set and implement a strategic vision for the Academy as it continues to build upon its mandate to honour outstanding achievements in Canadian film, television, and digital media, as well as heighten public awareness and appreciation for Canadian screen productions.

The recipient of a BFA from York University in Theatre Studies, Beth Janson has nearly two decades of experience in the film, television, and cultural sectors. From 2009 to 2014 she served as executive director of the Tribeca Film Institute, where she was responsible for budget management, fundraising, public relations, human resources, and programmatic direction.

Janson joined Tribeca in 2003 and was the creative force behind the development of its signature programs, including the TFI New Media Fund, a partnership with the Ford Foundation and the first-ever fund for independent transmedia work in the U.S.; Tribeca All Access, a grant and networking program for minority filmmakers; and the Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund. Previously, Janson was the programming director of the Newport International Film Festival.

Janson began her career in theatre administration, and later worked in the programming department of HBO Documentary Films. Most recently Janson was the founding director of Rent the Runway Foundation’s Project Entrepreneur program, providing women with access to the tools, training, and networks needed to build scalable, economically impactful companies. Janson’s Twitter handle is @Beth_Janson and her website is: http://www.bethjanson.com/

(Photo by Anna Herbst)Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail