Tag Archives: Awards

Canadian Screen Awards cancelled by the Canadian Academy

From a media release:

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian Academy is deeply saddened to announce the cancellation of all Canadian Screen Week activities in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, including the national broadcast gala on Sunday, March 29th. Following a thorough review of Canadian Screen Week events and an assessment of the potential risk to our attendees, we feel this is the only responsible decision at this time.

We are committed to the celebration of our Canadian Screen Award nominees and Special Award honourees and will share an update in the coming weeks.

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WGC Screenwriting Awards 2020 finalists announced

From a media release:

The WGC Screenwriting Awards are now in their 24th year of celebrating and acknowledging the best of the best in Canadian screenwriting and the all-important talent behind the creation of the most engaging and powerful Canadian-made series, films, documentaries and webseries.

In contention are scripts from JANN (Jann Arden & Jennica Harper, Mike McPhaden), Schitt’s Creek (Daniel Levy, David West Read), Killjoys (Vivian Lin & Derek Robertson), Murdoch Mysteries (Simon McNabb), Travelers (Ken Kabatoff), Coroner (Seneca Aaron, Noelle Carbone), American Hangman (Wilson Coneybeare), Sweetness in the Belly (Laura Phillips), Save Me (Fabrizio Filippo) and many others.

Please see the complete list of categories and finalists below.

The WGC Screenwriting Awards will recognize and celebrate Canadian screenwriters and their scripts at a gala ceremony on April 27, including the Showrunner of the Year — previous winners of this prestigious prize include Emily Andras (Wynonna Earp), Michael MacLennan (The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco) and Aaron Martin (Slasher). Gavin Crawford, writer, comedian, and host of CBC Radio’s Because News, returns as this year’s host along with his long-time collaborator, screenwriter Kyle Tingley, as awards show writer.

CHILDREN’S

  • Corn & Peg, “To Taste or Not to Taste” | Written by Jennifer Daley
  • Cupcake & Dino: General Services, “Big City: The Documentary” | Written by Jeff Sager
  • Ghostwriter, “Ghost in Wonderland, Part 1” | Written by Andrew Orenstein
  • Hotel Transylvania: The Series, “Better Know Your Mavis” | Written by Mark Steinberg
  • The Most Magnificent Thing | Story by Ashley Spires and John van Bruggen. Teleplay by John van Bruggen
  • Odd Squad, “Who Is Agent Otis?” | Written by Tim McKeon

COMEDY SERIES

  • Corner Gas Animated, “Tag You’re I.T.” | Written by Diana Frances
  • JANN, “The Big House” | Story by Jann Arden & Jennica Harper, Teleplay by Jennica Harper
  • JANN, “Weeknd at Charley’s” | Written by Mike McPhaden
  • Schitt’s Creek, “Love Letters” | Written by David West Read
  • Schitt’s Creek, “Meet the Parents” | Written by Daniel Levy

DOCUMENTARY

  • Assholes: A Theory | Written by John Walker & Robert Sandler
  • Conviction | Written by Nance Ackerman & Ariella Pahlke & Teresa MacInnes
  • Pugly: A Pug’s Life | Written by Michael McNamara

DRAMA SERIES

  • Coroner, “All’s Well” | Written by Noelle Carbone
  • Coroner, “Confetti Heart” | Written by Seneca Aaron
  • Killjoys, “Three Killjoys and a Lady” | Written by Vivian Lin & Derek Robertson
  • Murdoch Mysteries, “Sins of the Father” | Written by Simon McNabb
  • Travelers, “Archive” | Written by Ken Kabatoff

 FEATURE FILM

  • American Hangman | Written by Wilson Coneybeare
  • Goalie | Written by Adriana Maggs & Jane Maggs
  • Justice Dot Net | Written by Thom Richardson
  • Riot Girls | Written by Katherine Collins
  • Sweetness in the Belly | Written by Laura Phillips

 MOW & MINISERIES

  • Christmas Jars | Written by Andrea Stevens
  • Thicker Than Water | Written by David Elver & Andrea Stevens

PRESCHOOL

  • Abby Hatcher, “When Abby Met Bozzly” | Written by Rob Hoegee
  • Dino Dana, “Dino Flyer” | Written by J.J. Johnson
  • Dino Dana, “Dino Prints” | Written by J.J. Johnson & Christin Simms & Amish Patel
  • The Remarkable Mr. King, “Mr. King’s Quiet Time” | Written by Andrew Sabiston
  • Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum, “I Am Johann Sebastian Bach” | Written by Jennifer Daley

 SHORTS & WEBSERIES

  • The AfterLifetime of Colm Feore | Written by Hannah Cheesman
  • Detention Adventure, “The Catalyst” | Written by Joe Kicak & Carmen Albano
  • One Last Last Heist | Written by Darrin Rose
  • Save Me, “Birdie’s End” | Written by Fabrizio Filippo

TWEENS & TEENS

  • Bajillionaires, “Corporate Retreat” | Written by Jesse Shamata
  • Creeped Out, “The Takedown” | Written by Emma Campbell
  • Holly Hobbie, “The Dauntless Daughter” | Written by Cole Bastedo
  • Holly Hobbie, “The Salty Songstress” | Written by Sarah Glinski
  • Holly Hobbie, “A Whole New Holly” | Written by Courtney Jane Walker
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Winners: The 18th Annual ACTRA Awards in Toronto

From a media release:

ACTRA Toronto is proud to announce the winners of the 18th Annual ACTRA Awards in Toronto.

Outstanding Performance – Female Voice
Bryn McAuley
as Mavis in Hotel Transylvania: The Series, “Portrait of Mavis as a Young Vampire”
(Corus Entertainment)

Outstanding Performance – Male Voice
Carter Hayden as Klaus in Hotel Transylvania: The Series, “Freakerheads” (Corus Entertainment)

Outstanding Performance – Female
Cara Ricketts as Mary Handford-Lacroix in Anne with an E, “What Can Stop the Determined Heart”
(Northwood Entertainment)

Outstanding Performance – Male
Dalmar Abuzeid as Sebastian ‘Bash’ Lacroix in Anne with an E, “What Can Stop the Determined Heart”
(Northwood Entertainment)

For the second consecutive year, the Members’ Choice Series Ensemble Award went to Schitt’s Creek.

Michaela Washburn presented ACTRA Toronto’s 2020 Award of Excellence to Kim’s Convenience‘s Jean Yoon.

Matt Birman presented the ACTRA Toronto Stunt award to stunt performer Kevin Rushton who passed away last year.

The 18th Annual ACTRA Awards in Toronto were presented at a live show and gala tonight at The Carlu. DJ Salazar Solomon performed the show together with saxophonist Geoff Bournes and trumpeter Howard Leathers. The show was written by David Galeand Diane Flacks and directed by David Gale.

ACTRA Toronto is the largest organization within ACTRA, representing more than 15,000 of Canada’s 25,000 professional performers working in recorded media in Canada. As an advocate for Canadian culture since 1943, ACTRA is a member-driven union that continues to secure rights and respect for the work of professional performers.

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Hits and Misses: The 2020 Canadian Screen Awards nominees

First off, a hearty congratulations to everyone who has been nominated for a 2020 Canadian Screen Award. I’ve spoken to many of you over the years and enjoyed our chats, your kindness and awesome skills whether you work in front of or behind the camera.

The Canadian Screen Awards are, I believe, as important and justified in their existence as the Golden Globe Awards, Primetime Emmys and BAFTA Awards; and with that comes the scrutiny that befalls the Academy and the nominations it puts forth every year. What does that mean? I poke, prod and peruse the television categories and scrutinize every decision the Academy has made with regard to the 2020 television nominations.

Here are my thoughts on several of the key categories. Let me know your own thoughts in the comments section below!

Best Drama Series

  • Anne with an E
  • Cardinal
  • Coroner
  • Mary Kills People
  • Vikings

I’m thrilled to see such a diverse group of shows listed in this category. What Moira Walley-Beckett achieved with her adaptation of Anne of Green Gables was inspired, Cardinal put Canada on the map with regard to dark, brooding murder series, Coroner was the CBC’s biggest new hit in years, and Mary Kills People proved a controversial topic can air in primetime. As for Vikings? Well, I admire what creator Michael Hirst has done creating a wonderful world first inhabited by Ragnar Lothbrok and passed on to his sons, but I feel other shows were more deserving. Where is Killjoys, which has been so damn good during its entire run? Or how about Pure, which closed out a wonderful (perhaps) final season over on Super Channel? And, finally, Burden of Truth‘s second season was simply stellar, combining legal and life drama in tight storylines.

Best Comedy Series

  • Jann
  • Kim’s Convenience
  • Letterkenny
  • Schitt’s Creek
  • Workin’ Moms

I have no issues with any of the shows in this category. Jann blew everyone out of the water, establishing Jann Arden as a comic force on television and Letterkenny continues to come up with WTF moments. Schitt’s Creek showed yet another side to its sweet story of acceptance and Kim’s Convenience never fails to make me laugh and touch my heart. And though I’m happy Workin’ Moms is here, I don’t feel like Season 3 was its strongest. There were certainly moments where I nodded in understanding and laughed at its outrageous scenes, but I was a little befuddled/nonplussed by the Forrest/Kate storyline.

Best Reality/Competition Program or Series

  • The Amazing Race Canada
  • Big Brother Canada
  • Blown Away
  • The Great Canadian Baking Show
  • Top Chef Canada

Amid all of the Canadian spinoffs is Blown Away, a newcomer that, pun intended, blew me away. If you had told me putting a bunch of characters in a Hamilton factory and challenging them to make blown glass art for the chance to win money would be compelling TV, I would have laughed at you. But that’s exactly what Blown Away did. It deserves the trophy.

Best Sketch Comedy Show & Ensemble Performance

  • Baroness Von Sketch Show
  • The Beaverton
  • Tallboyz
  • This Hour Has 22 Minutes

Is there any other sketch show out there that hasn’t been included? Email me if the Academy missed one.

Best Lead Actor, Drama

  • Peter Mooney, Burden of Truth
  • Billy Campbell, Cardinal
  • Jerry O’Connell, Carter
  • Roger Cross, Coroner
  • Shawn Doyle, Unspeakable

This is a fantastic list of actors, but I am a little confused by what the Academy defines as a drama. Jerry O’Connell is great on Carter, but his performance could easily fit in the comedy category. I know it’s up to the production companies to submit, so I’ll give the Academy a bit of a break. Also, Unspeakable was more of a limited series than a series. Perhaps the Academy should bring back that category so shows like Unspeakable and Cardinal can duke it out there. And, to be honest, where is Yannick Bisson in all this? His Detective William Murdoch showed incredible range last season, from deep drama to gut-busting comedy. When is he going to get his due?

Best Lead Actress, Drama

  • Amybeth McNulty, Anne with an E
  • Karine Vanasse, Cardinal
  • Serinda Swan, Coroner
  • Lauren Lee Smith, Frankie Drake Mysteries
  • Caroline Dhavernas, Mary Kills People

Where is Hannah John-Kamen from Killjoys, Melanie Scrofano from Wynonna Earp or Hélène Joy from Murdoch Mysteries?

Best Lead Actor, Comedy

  • Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Kim’s Convenience
  • Jared Keeso, Letterkenny
  • Jason Priestley, Private Eyes
  • Daniel Levy, Schitt’s Creek
  • Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek

A very strong bunch of fellows are in this category and all are equally deserving. It’s great to see Mr. Priestley in this category; his comic chops make Private Eyes howl-worthy.

Best Lead Actress, Comedy Series

  • Jann Arden, Jann
  • Jean Yoon, Kim’s Convenience
  • Michelle Mylett, Letterkenny
  • Annie Murphy, Schitt’s Creek
  • Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek

Another wonderful list of nominees. I only wish there was room for Andrea Bang from Kim’s Convenience, Dani Kind from Workin’ Moms or Cindy Sampson from Private Eyes.

The 2020 Canadian Screen Awards will be broadcast live Sunday, March 29 at 8 p.m. ET  on CBC.

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Nominations announced for the 2020 Canadian Screen Awards

From a media release:

The nominees for the 2020 Canadian Screen Awards were announced today in 141 film, television, and digital media categories by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (the Canadian Academy). The Awards will be presented in Toronto over five days during Canadian Screen Week, including the Canadian Screen Awards Broadcast Gala, which airs live on CBC and the CBC Gem streaming service on Sunday, March 29 at 8:00 PM (9:00 PM AT/9:30 PM NT).

The CBC hit series Schitt’s Creek leads both television and overall Canadian Screen Award nominations with 26 in total. These include: Best Comedy Series; Best Writing, Comedy; and Best Direction, Comedy, as well as multiple acting nominations in Best Lead Actor, Comedy; Best Lead Actress, Comedy; Best Supporting Actress, Comedy; and Best Supporting Actor, Comedy. Leading the film categories, François Girard’s The Song of Names received nine nominations in total, including Achievement in Art Direction / Production Design, Achievement in Costume Design, and Achievement in Visual Effects.

For the list of 2020 Canadian Screen Awards nominees, please visit academy.ca/nominees.

“Whether our nominees are household names or not as well known, we are privileged to celebrate their achievements at the Canadian Screen Awards,” said Beth Janson, CEO, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. “Supporting these voices has never been more important, and we are proud to be at the heart of those efforts.”

“What was a moment is now a full-on movement, with Canadians and the content they create finally giving a voice to the vibrant communities they represent,” said John Young, Chair, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. “We are honoured to bring well-deserved attention to these incredible creative works.”

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television proudly acknowledges the support of its Leading Media Partner, CBC; its Premier Partner, Telefilm Canada; Platinum Partner, CTV; Principal Partner, Netflix; and its Lead Partners, the Canada Media Fund, Cineplex, and the Cogeco Fund.

Canadian Screen Week – March 23 – 29, 2020
Canadian Screen Week brings together the screen-based industry to celebrate the country’s top talent in the film, television, and digital sectors with a multitude of events that culminate in the live broadcast of the Canadian Screen Awards on CBC and the CBC Gem streaming service on March 29, 2020 at 8:00 PM (9:00 PM AT / 9:30 PM NT). The week as a whole engages, inspires, and educates Canadians in the media industry and beyond. In addition to five award galas, the fan-favourite Family Fan Day meet and greet event (presented by Shaw Rocket Fund, March 28, 2020) and the Members Lounge professional development conference and coworking hub (March 23 – March 27, 2020) offer both members and the general public the chance to enjoy Canadian Screen Week.

Canadian Screen Award winners and Special Award recipients will be honoured at one of the five gala events: The CTV Gala Honouring Non-Fiction Programming (March 23, 2020); The CTV Gala Honouring Creative Fiction Storytelling (March 24, 2020); The Gala Honouring Digital Storytelling (presented with the participation of the Independent Production Fund, March 28, 2020); The Cinematic Arts Gala (presented by CBC Films, March 29, 2020); and the Canadian Screen Awards Broadcast Gala (March 29, 2020).

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