Tag Archives: Awards

Awards, Featured, Frankie Drake Mysteries, Web series

Canadian Screen Award nominees: Sharron Matthews and Vanessa Matsui

It’s Canadian Screen Awards week and we’re celebrating all week long in a very special way. We’ll feature exclusive interviews with the actors and creative folks who are nominated in the television and web series categories.

First up: Sharron Matthews, nominated for Best Supporting Actress, Drama for Frankie Drake Mysteries, and Vanessa Matsui, nominated for Best Lead Performance, Web Program or Series for Ghost BFF.

Sharron Matthews, nominated for Best Supporting Actress, Drama for Frankie Drake Mysteries

How do you feel the Canadian TV industry is faring during these pandemic times?
The beginning of the pandemic was…strange, to say the least…but after our first lockdown, I went straight into TWO writers rooms, so we just kept doing what we always do in the arts…creating through adverse times. Artists and arts administrators are used to calamity and since the TV and Film industry doesn’t perform in front of large groups of people, we collectively did some recon, and kept going, kept creating. Then I feel like the TV and Film industry really pulled together and figured out a safe, secure way to physically make TV in the face of great challenges. This is what I love about the arts, it always finds a way to survive and thrive. Shout out to the stage and live theatre makers, who have pivoted and found innovative ways to express themselves and have their work be seen.

How have you fared during these pandemic times?
I’m grateful beyond measure that I had Frankie Drake Mysteries and the animated show Rebecca Liddiard (Mary Shaw on Frankie), Carmen Albano (Detention Adventure) and I created with Shaftesbury (Mary and Flo on the Go), to work on from almost the beginning of the pandemic. I spent most of the time up until we went to camera on both Frankie and Mary and Flo, writing and developing scripts for both shows, so I kept myself singularly focused on work … away from the uncertainty of the world around me. I have done my VERY best to stay positive. Some days have been better than others.

Do you think Canadian TV is stronger than ever when it comes to telling our stories?
I believe that Canadian writers and creators have become braver in expressing our unique comedic and dramatic voices. With worldwide successes such as Kim’s Convenience, Schitt’s Creek, Workin’ Moms, and even Frankie Drake Mysteries (if I may) it feels like we have realized that we don’t have to morph our visions to fit the gaze of other countries. Stories told from a Canadian perspective with a distinctly Canadian sense of humour or pathos have become sought after, which is thrilling and has laid the groundwork for an exciting and fertile future.

Does an award nomination/win serve as validation for you or is it just a nice nod that you’re on the right track, career or choice-wise?
Oh my gosh … I would be lying if I said being nominated by a group of your peer wasn’t validating. It is. It really is. I am thrilled.

What will you wear during the Canadian Screen Awards?
I will be watching all the nights with my bubble pal, Mike Bickerton (nominated for his showrunning work on Canada’s Drag Race) and I’m fairly sure we’ll be wearing caftans. Large, billowing caftans. So, basically? We will be dressed in something we bought off the internet.

What will you eat/drink/snack on during the Canadian Screen Awards?
I’m a Hamilton girl forever, so I’m not too fancy. Chips and wine. I’m a simple gal.

Is there someone who served as a mentor when you were starting out in this industry that you’d give a special shout-out to in your acceptance speech if given the chance?
If I had the chance to give an acceptance speech, the first person I would thank is the indomitable Christina Jennings, head of Shaftesbury and producer of Frankie Drake Mysteries. She’s been a supportive force in my life since the day I started on Frankie. Since then, she’s answered every question I have asked about writing and producing, encouraging me to not have limits when it comes to creating. She sets an example not just for female producers but for producers in general, about how to be tenacious and think big. She’s taught me to give pause, time and energy to ideas that spark the soul, because if they don’t work out … there is a good chance those ideas may lead to greater, more fulfillable ideas. Christina leaves no piece of energy or innovation wasted. THANK YOU, CHRISTINA!!!

Vanessa Matsui, nominated for Best Lead Performance, Web Program or Series for Ghost BFF

Congratulations on your Canadian Screen Award nomination!
Thank you!!

How do you feel the Canadian web series industry is faring during these pandemic times?
Shooting, in general, is challenging right now, so indie filmmaking is particularly challenging because so much of your budget is going to COVID precautions. Which I completely understand and appreciate. Also, I think we are going to see a surge of creations post-pandemic. Especially during that first wave, I’ve heard that so many writers and creators, myself included, finally had the time to write that thing that they’ve been wanting to write. So there may be some unintended POSITIVE consequences to shutting down the industry for a season.

How have you fared during these pandemic times?
Ha! Well, it’s been a roller coaster, to say the least. I feel like each wave came with its own challenges. I’m a mom, so losing my ‘village’ has frankly been traumatic. And I’m a lucky one! I have a home and a partner and I was able to go back to work relatively quickly compared to so many. But in some ways, I’m incredibly grateful for these times. I’m a different person now and I look back on pre-pandemic Vanessa as almost a child. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m definitely a better, more me person now.

Do you think Canadian web series is stronger than ever when it comes to telling our stories?
Yes! There are so many incredible web series right now that I’m such a big fan of. Band Ladies and Bit Playas come to mind immediately.

Does an award nomination/win serve as validation for you or is it just a nice nod that you’re on the right track, career or choice-wise?
It’s a really nice nod. I’m so happy that Kaniehtiio [Horn], Jean [Yoon], and Angela [Asher] were also nominated. I think four actresses being nominated for one show is just fabulous.

What will you wear during the Canadian Screen Awards?
Ha! Sweatpants. Sorry, not sorry.

What will you eat/drink/snack on during the Canadian Screen Awards?
Pizza and wine!

Is there someone who served as a mentor when you were starting out in this industry that you’d give a special shout-out to in your acceptance speech if given the chance?
An early supporter of Ghost BFF was Ana Serrano. I don’t think this show would have gotten as far as it did without her initial support. Also, my late acting teacher, Jacqueline McClintock, who always encouraged me to write and create my own work. She is in my heart whenever I step onto set.

Stream the Canadian Screen Awards on the Academy website, Twitter and YouTube.

Check out the list of nominees.

Monday, May 17, 2021
7 p.m. ET: Canadian Screen Awards – News & Documentary, Presented by CBC (Narrator: Ginella Massa)

8 p.m. ET: CTV presents the Canadian Screen Awards – Lifestyle & Reality (Narrator: Priyanka)

Tuesday, May 18, 2021
7 p.m. ET: Canadian Screen Awards – Children’s & Animation, Presented by Shaw Rocket Fund (Narrator: Eric Bauza)

8 p.m. ET: Canadian Screen Awards – Digital & Immersive, Presented with the participation of the Independent Production Fund (Narrator: Donté Colley)

Wednesday, May 19, 2021
7 p.m. ET: CTV presents the Canadian Screen Awards – Creative Arts & Performance (Narrator: Tyrone Edwards)

Thursday, May 20, 2021
7 p.m. ET: Canadian Screen Awards – Cinematic Arts, Presented by Telefilm Canada, Supported by Cineplex (Narrator: Nahéma Ricci)

8 p.m. ET: 2021 Canadian Screen Awards (Narrators: Stephan James and Karine Vanasse)

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Awards, Featured

Canadian Screen Awards’ Beth Janson: “We are focusing on the content”

Last year, the pandemic played havoc with the Canadian Screen Awards. Originally scheduled for the last week of March in Toronto with the usual in-person fan and industry events capped off by a gala, it was all delayed, ultimately going virtual last May.

Now the Canadian Screen Awards are back and, once again, being handed out virtually. But, with a year of experience at this sort of thing, Beth Janson, CEO of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, says the Academy is ready to deliver.

Congratulations on another Canadian Screen Awards. You all have become veterans now because you’ve had a year of the pandemic under your belt to pull this off again.
Beth Janson: Yes. I know. It’s not really an expertise I would have chosen. But we are excited that we have done everything, start to finish, virtually, this year. So it’s been very, very strange, but successful. So, we’re happy about that.

In all seriousness you have had more than a year to plan for this, whereas, last year, you had moving targets all the time. How did you tackle things this year? Did things go more smoothly, what were some things that you decided you wanted to do this year that maybe you weren’t able to do last year?
Yes, last year was very much, a not ideal scenario. This year, we really were able to take more time to think about the creative behind the shows. We hired a creative producer. It’s all original music in our shows. I think it allowed us to take more care with the details. We’re still not having a Zoom acceptance speech award show because, despite everything we’ve seen this whole quarantine or pandemic, we don’t feel like that makes for a very exciting viewing experience.

We still are focusing on the content, so we’re taking more time. We’re playing clips. So much of our awards is about discoverability. And even people who are in our industry sometimes don’t realize the breadth of what’s out there. We’re able to sort of let them breathe more and sort of have it be more of a creative exercise, than a panic exercise.

Is focusing on the creative side of it maybe one of the positives of this situation?
I certainly think that it will change the way we do our shows once we’re back in person because it really is something that resonates. Our model before this was huge events. I mean, we had four galas before and the broadcast was 1,500 people. The galas before were up to 1,000 people. It’s going to be different when we’re able to gather again, and I think that’s going to be OK. I think it’s made us better and stronger for sure.

I was talking to someone recently who complained about the length of the U.S. awards shows. I said, ‘Folks could take a note from the Canadian Screen Awards,’ because you run a tight ship for that gala. It’s an hour long, in the traditional sense when it was on TV, giving out the top awards, and get in and get out.
Well, thank you for saying that, first of all. That’s really, really nice to hear. I think that when you do confine yourself, you have to get creative about how you’re doing things, and every single moment counts. Right?

I think award shows are going to get better after this pandemic, just in general. I know that ratings have been going down, and everyone’s questioning award shows in general in the industry. It’s got some new, fresh energy into the production. Even though the Oscars were not successful, in the viewership it certainly was a completely different show than what we’re used to. And I think that’s good, because you had to make these massive changes, and now you can take what worked there and take the best parts of the big, live show and combine them.

Let’s get into some of the trends. Blood Quantum, 10 nominations. Only in a country like Canada, can you have a zombie horror movie, starring an Indigenous cast and written by someone who is Indigenous, can you have that. I love that about this country.
Yes, me too. You’ll also see that Possessor was also in the mix there. And it’s nice that our members are honouring genre film because we have a huge, long, successful history in that genre. I thought it was really, really great that it was being acknowledged. It’s really exciting that the work that’s nominated this year is probably the most audience-friendly fare that I’ve seen in a long time. It’s good to see because I want as many people to see these films as possible, so I get excited when it’s mixed up, and you have very different films in the mix. It’s not all sort of similar stories.

Looking at the television categories, and Schitt’s Creek with 21 nominations, Canada’s Drag Race has seven nominations. You can’t help but be proud of the storytelling.
Our industry really has a responsibility, a unique responsibility, and an opportunity to contribute to diversity and equity. And I think the direction is really positive. I think there’s a lot more work to do.

But, especially when we’re talking about our industry, what we produce and who we empower to tell the story shape the way so much of the country and the general public perceives experience. It’s really important. You can see it, even in the time that I’ve been here, these programs that seek to fund gender parity. Now we’re moving into funding more diverse creators. It has an impact. I hope that it’s systemic, but I think we’re sort of looking at the right ways to change.

What do you want people to experience during this week of celebrations for the Canadian Screen Awards?
I want everyone to have at least one moment of discovery when they’re watching the show, like, ‘Huh, that looks really interesting,’ and to seek it out.

Stream the Canadian Screen Awards on the Academy website, Twitter and YouTube.

Check out the list of nominees.

Monday, May 17, 2021
7 p.m. ET: Canadian Screen Awards – News & Documentary, Presented by CBC (Narrator: Ginella Massa)

8 p.m. ET: CTV presents the Canadian Screen Awards – Lifestyle & Reality (Narrator: Priyanka)

Tuesday, May 18, 2021
7 p.m. ET: Canadian Screen Awards – Children’s & Animation, Presented by Shaw Rocket Fund (Narrator: Eric Bauza)

8 p.m. ET: Canadian Screen Awards РDigital & Immersive, Presented with the participation of the Independent Production Fund (Narrator: Dont̩ Colley)

Wednesday, May 19, 2021
7 p.m. ET: CTV presents the Canadian Screen Awards – Creative Arts & Performance (Narrator: Tyrone Edwards)

Thursday, May 20, 2021
7 p.m. ET: Canadian Screen Awards РCinematic Arts, Presented by Telefilm Canada, Supported by Cineplex (Narrator: Nah̩ma Ricci)

8 p.m. ET: 2021 Canadian Screen Awards (Narrators: Stephan James and Karine Vanasse)

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Awards

Winners of the 2021 CAFTCAD Awards announced

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From a media release:

The 3rd CAFTCAD Awards which aired on May 1st, has once again brought together costumers from across Canada to recognize excellence in every aspect of costume design and arts for film and TV. The CAFTCAD Awards is uniquely positioned as the only event in this country that focuses on this work. And from the very beginning, the CAFTCAD Awards has had diversity baked in as evidenced by the majority percentage of nominees and winners being female and representative of Canadian BIPOC costumers.

Star Trek: Discovery was the top winner at the 2021 CAFTCAD awards, taking home three awards: Gersha Phillips’ designs for Best Costume Design in TV-Sci-Fi/Fantasy, as well as Excellence in Craft- Special Effects Costume Building, and Excellence in Craft- Building. Adriana Fulop and her team won for her designs in Trickster (Best Design TV Contemporary), John Dunnett and his team won for Best Design in an Indie Film for Jump, Darling, and NAACP Award-winner, The Banker, earned another prize for Aieisha Lee’s costumes for Costume Design in Film- International.

Excellence in Crafts – Illustration
WINNER: The Twilight Zone, S2
Terry Pitts

Excellence in Crafts – Building
WINNER: Star Trek: Discovery 301, That Hope is You, Part 1

Tanya Batanau-Chuiko, Carla Mingiardi, Ryan Smith, Gülay Cokgezen, Costume Designer: Gersha Phillips, Costume Supervisors: Karen Lee, Kim Harkness, Assistant Costume Designers: Carly Nicodemo, Daina Valiulus, Michael Ground, Buyers: Kaitlyn Fifield, Loretta Chin, Money Tracker: Tova Harrison, Costume Assistants: Melanie Lian, Bianka Meore, Jo Jin, Digital Asset Manager: Kayso Wong, Cutters: Paula Ling, Sewers: Leanne Reimer, Chloe Tekavcic, Luan Zhang, Malia Janveax, Malika Ben Slimane, Brit Wacher, Carly Cumpsom, Marie Glas, David Frankovich, Tori Lang, Key Textile Artist: Bonnie McCabe, Textile Artists: David Webb, Chantelle Hermiston, Jamie Quail, Key FX Costumer: Ray Wong, FX Costumer: Hayley Stolee-Smith, Blake Hyland, Andrew Cook, FX Sculptor/Molder: Alex Silberberg, Set Supervisor: Kymn Keating, Truck Supervisor: Chelsea Oliver, Assistant Set Supervisor: Tara Thompson, BG Coordinators: Heather Constable, Jennifer Choy, Madelaine Humeniuk, Illustrators: Christian Cordella, Ciara Brennan, Keith Lau

Excellence in Crafts – Textiles
WINNER: The Chilling Adventure of Sabrina, S2

The Dye Dept: Anthea Mallinson; Emily Kathleen McIntyre, Ahra Ko, Layne Eustace Beck & Katie Blecker, Costume Designer: Angus Strathie, Assistant Costume Designer: Kelli Dunsmore, Costume Supervisor: Dawn Grey, Prep Costumer: Jenny Lang, Prep Costumer: Victor Goodchild

Excellence in Crafts – Special Effects Costume Building
TIE : Odd Squad Mobile Unit Season 1

Specialty Costume Builder: Bonni Burns, Henchmen Studios, Costume Builder / Milliner: Ashley Gennuso, Costume Designer: Christine Toye, Costume Cutters / Builders: Alicia Zwicewicz, Sandra Mandich, Stitcher: Stephanie Wierzbicki, Costume Assistants: Becky Wasser, Kelsey Lammers, Set Supervisor: Ahna Dunn-Wilder, On Set Assistant: Ivy Hill, Truck Supervisor: Estee Mancini

TIE: Star Trek: Discovery 303 People of Earth

Key FX Costumer: Ray Wong, FX Costumers: Hayley Stolee-Smith, Blake Hyland, Andrew Cook, Costume Designer: Gersha Phillips, Costume Supervisors: Karen Lee & Kim Harkness, Assistant Costume Designers: Carly Nicodemo, Daina Valiulus & Michael Ground, Buyers: Kaitlyn Fifield & Loretta Chin, Money Tracker: Tova Harrison, Costume Assistants: Melanie Lian, Bianka Meore & Jo Jin, Digital Asset Manager: Kayso Wong, Head Cutter: Tanya Batanau-Chuiko, Cutters: Carla Mingiardi, Ryan Smith & Paula Ling, Sewers: Gülay Cokgezen, Leanne Reimer, Chloe Tekavcic, Luan Zhang, Malia Janveax, Malika Ben Slimane, Brit Wacher, Carly Cumpsom, Marie Glas, David Frankovich & Tori Lang, Key Textile Artist: Bonnie McCabe, Textile Artists: David Webb, Chantelle Hermiston & Jamie Quail, FX Sculptor/Molder: Alex Silberberg, Set Supervisor: Kymn Keating, Truck Supervisor: Chelsea Oliver, Assistant Set Supervisor: Tara Thompson, BG Coordinators: Heather Constable, Jennifer Choy & Madelaine Humeniuk, Illustrators: Christian Cordella, Ciara Brennan & Keith Lau

Costume Design in Short Film
WINNER: The Rabbit Hunters

Costume Designer: Sandra Soke, Seamstress: Hillary Klassen, Dresser: Tess Gebel

Costume Design in Web Series
WINNER: Queens 103, Naomi

Costume Designer: Vanessa Magic, Assistant Costume Designer: Eyob Desalgne, Wardrobe Assistants: Kristyn Matthews & Victoria Lus

Styling/Costume Design in Music Videos and Commercials, Sponsored by William F. White International
WINNER: Heritage Minutes: Elsie MacGill

Costume Designer: Nicole McCormick, Assistant Costume Designer: Aurelia Cerquozzi, On Set Background Costumer: Jackie Haug

Costume Design in Indie Feature, Sponsored by Wiseacre Rentals
WINNER: Jump, Darling

Costume Designer: John Dunnett, Assistant Costume Designer: Hanna Litster, Wardrobe Assistant: Jessica Agbayani, Cutter: Meghan Erin, Costume Concept Artist: Samantha Washington

Costume Design in TV – Contemporary, Sponsored by IATSE 873
WINNER: Trickster Episode 104

Costume Designer: Adriana Fulop, Assistant Designer: Alisha Robinson, Set Supervisor: Emma Lees, Truck Supervisor: Natalie Ellis, Background Coordinator: Vanessa Young, Buyer: Katrina Carrier, Breakdown Artist: Gwendolyne Preboy, Dailies: Stephanie Smethurst, Faith Campbell & Sean Mittelholzer, Costume Advisor: Sage Paul

Costume Design in TV – Period, Sponsored by IATSE 873 – TIE
TIE: Murdoch Mysteries 1312, Fox Hunt

Costume Designer: Joanna Syrokomla, Assistant Designer: Charlene Seniuk, Background Coordinator: Nathan Laws, Set Supervisors: Jenny Buck & Maria Popoff, Truck Supervisor: Paul Breckenridge, Cutter: Erika Fulop, Sewers: Mary Furlong & Sam Crossley, Set Daily: Leslie McCann, Rachel Ford & Starr Jacobs

TIE: Age of Samurai; Battle for Japan 104, Enter the One-Eyed Dragon

Designer: Lyndsay Reader, Assistant Costume Designer: Tina Razian, Set Supervisor: Eyob Desalgne, On-set Dresser: Lara Olynik, Specialty Costumers: Adam Smith & Erica Steenburg, Sewer: Richard Crossman

Costume Design in TV – Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Sponsored by IATSE 873
WINNER: Star Trek: Discovery, 301: That Hope is You, Part 1

Costume Designer: Gersha Phillips, Costume Supervisors: Karen Lee & Kim Harkness, Assistant Costume Designers: Carly Nicodemo, Daina Valiulus & Michael Ground, Buyers: Kaitlyn Fifield & Loretta Chin, Money Tracker: Tova Harrison, Costume Assistants: Melanie Lian, Bianka Meore & Jo Jin, Digital Asset Manager: Kayso Wong, Head Cutter: Tanya Batanau-Chuiko, Cutters: Carla Mingiardi, Ryan Smith & Paula Ling, Sewers: Gülay Cokgezen, Leanne Reimer, Chloe Tekavcic, Luan Zhang, Malia Janveax, Malika Ben Slimane, Brit Wacher, Carly Cumpsom, Marie Glas, David Frankovich & Tori Lang, Key Textile Artist: Bonnie McCabe, Textile Artists: David Webb, Chantelle Hermiston & Jamie Quail, Key FX Costumer: Ray Wong, FX Costumers: Hayley Stolee-Smith, Blake Hyland & Andrew Cook, FX Sculptor/Molder: Alex Silberberg, Set Supervisor: Kymn Keating, Truck Supervisor: Chelsea Oliver, Assistant Set Supervisor: Tara Thompson, BG Coordinators: Heather Constable, Jennifer Choy & Madelaine Humeniuk, Illustrators: Christian Cordella, Ciara Brennan & Keith Lau

Costume Design in Film – Contemporary, Sponsored by IATSE 891
WINNER: The Craft: Legacy

Costume Designer: Avery Plewes, Assistant Costume Designer: Laura Gardner, Costume Supervisor: Chelsea Graham, Set Supervisor: Candice Beuckx, Truck Supervisor: Sophie King-Hyslop, Background Costume Supervisor: Julia Cronin, Key Costumer: Griffith Park Unit & Pablo Borges, Costume Supervisor: Brooke Mulkins, Costumer: Griffith Park Unit & Mary Wuliger

Costume Design in Film – Period, Sponsored by IATSE 891
WINNER: Salt N’ Pepa

Costume Designer: Michelle Lyte, Assistant Designer: Jeanette Linton, Supervisor: Judy Lukkanen, Costume Assistants: Alima Meybloom & Diane Sobers, Costume Buyers: Eryne Reid, Roslyn Griffith Hall, Sheronna Osbourne & Mary Louise Cunningham, Cutter: Daniela Barbat, Builders: Manon De Gagne & Jessica Mae, Set Supervisor: Yvette Romano, Truck Supervisor: Camie Manswell, Set Assistant: Kenneth Shelley, BG Coordinator: Andy Shultz, Assistant BG Coordinator: Val Andrews, BG Set Supervisor: Anessa Abdus-Samad

Costume Design in Film – Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Sponsored by IATSE 891
WINNER: Z.O.M.B.I.E.S. 2

Costume Designer: Trysha Bakker, Assistant Costume Designer: Donna Butt, Costume Supervisors: Barbara Cardoso & Soo Luen Tom, Truck Supervisor: Karen Renaut, Costume Buyers: Melissa Stewart & Marya Duplaga, Key Breakdown Artist: Anna Pantcheva, Assistant Breakdown: Ella Bakker Moffitt, Cutter: Michel Proulx, Seamstress: Judy MacDougall, Sewers: Soso Lin & Jaya Ducharme, Sewer Decorators: Teresa Artibello & Sarah Blostein, Costume Assistant: Lindsay Devlin, On Set Assistant: Janice Skinner, Costume Assistant: Trelawnie Mead, BG Coordinator: Mary Partridge, BG Set Supervisors: Genevieve Pearson & Yvette Romano, BG Costume Buyer: Jennifer Bunt

Costume Design in Film – International
WINNER: The Banker

Costume Designer: Aieisha Li, Assistant Costume Designer / Supervisor: Jennifer Leigh-Scott

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Awards, Schitt's Creek, Still Standing, Trickster

Still Standing, Schitt’s Creek and Trickster top 2021 WGC Screenwriting Awards

From a media release:

In a funny, engaging and lively virtual ceremony, held this evening, host Emma Hunter announced the winners of the 25th-annual Writers Guild of Canada Screenwriting Awards.

Some winners of 2021’s top prizes include Daniel Levy (Schitt’s Creek), Tracey Deer & Meredith Vuchnich (Beans), Penny Gummerson (Trickster), and Jonny Harris, Fraser Young, Graham Chittenden and Steve Dylan (Still Standing).

Special Awards were also presented to Kate Hewlett, winner of the Sondra Kelly Award, and Travis McDonald, who was awarded the Jim Burt Screenwriting Prize. Morwyn Brebner, creator and showrunner of hit CBC series Coroner, received the night’s final prize, the WGC Showrunner Award.

The 26th Annual WGC Screenwriting Awards are set for April 25, 2022 at Toronto’s Koerner Hall, where the WGC will also celebrate the 25th anniversary milestone. In the meantime, 2021’s presentation will be posted to the WGC YouTube Channel.

CHILDREN’S
Odd Squad Mobile Unit, “Slow Your Roll” I Written by Mark De Angelis

COMEDY SERIES
Schitt’s Creek, “Happy Ending” I Written by Daniel Levy

DOCUMENTARY
Still Standing, “Rankin Inlet” I Written by Jonny Harris, Fraser Young, Graham Chittenden, Steve Dylan

DRAMA SERIES
Trickster, “Episode 105” I Story by Michelle Latimer and Tony Elliott and Penny Gummerson, Teleplay by Penny Gummerson

FEATURE FILM
Beans I Story by Tracey Deer, Screenplay by Tracey Deer and Meredith Vuchnich

MOW & MINISERIES
Gourmet Detective: Roux the Day I Written by Becky Southwell & Dylan Neal

PRESCHOOL
Dino Dana, “The Sound of Dinosaurs” I Written by J.J. Johnson

SHORTS & WEBSERIES
Try to Fly I Written by Simone Swan & The Affolter Brothers

TWEENS & TEENS
Utopia Falls, “The World is Yours” I Written by Joseph Mallozzi & R.T. Thorne

SONDRA KELLY AWARD
Kate Hewlett

JIM BURT SCREENWRITING PRIZE
Magnificent I Written by Travis McDonald

SHOWRUNNER AWARD
Morwyn Brebner

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Awards

Emma Hunter to host WGC Screenwriting Awards, Jim Burt Prize film nominees announced

From a media release:

The Writers Guild of Canada is delighted to announce that award-winning Canadian actor, writer and comedian Emma Hunter is writing and hosting the 2021 WGC Screenwriting Awards ceremony, which will take place over Zoom on Monday, April 26 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Most recently, Emma completed filming her star turn as Nora in the first season of CBC drama Feudal created by WGC member Sheri Elwood, and she was a co-host and writer for three seasons on CTV’s The Beaverton. Leaning into her comedic talent, Emma has a snappy, fun-filled show planned for attendees. Additionally, the award winners will be invited to accept their prizes in real-time to maintain that true element of surprise.

The WGC is also pleased to name 2021’s nominees for the bi-annual Jim Burt Screenwriting Prize awarded for best unproduced longform script:
• Goners I Written by Ken Hegan
• Magnificent I Written by Travis McDonald
• Sluggy and Bogie I Written by Tommy Gushue
• Struck I Written by Lynne Kamm
• Tall Grass I Written by Bri Proke

The 2021 awards mark the WGC’s 25th annual celebration of Canadian screenwriters and their scripts. The milestone will be formally recognized at a planned live ceremony in 2022. This year, special awards include the Jim Burt Screenwriting Prize, the Sondra Kelly Award and Showrunner of the Year — previous winners of this prestigious prize include Dennis Heaton (The Order), Emily Andras (Wynonna Earp) and Michael MacLennan (The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco).

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