Tag Archives: WGC Screenwriting Awards

WGC Screenwriting Awards 2023 finalists announced

From a media release:

The WGC Screenwriting Awards are now in their 27th year of celebrating the very best Canadian screenwriters—the all-important talent behind the most engaging and powerful Canadian-made series, films, and shorts.

In contention for the 2023 awards are scripts from Sort Of (Jenn Engels, Kyah Green, Léa Geronimo Rondot), Fakes (Tabia Lau, David Turko), Transplant (Laura Good), The Porter (Marsha Greene), Subjects of Desire (Jennifer Holness), Brother (Clement Virgo), The Missus Downstairs “A Christmas to Misremember” (Mary Walsh, Dave Sullivan), Astrid & Lilly Save the World (Alix Markman, Veronika Paz, Betsy Van Stone, Noelle Stehman), The Guava Juice Show (Christine Mitchell, John Hazlett, Lienne Sawatsky, Dan Williams) and many others.

Please see the complete list of categories and finalists below.

The 2023 WGC Screenwriting Awards will recognize Canadian screenwriters and their scripts at a ceremony on April 24 at Koerner Hall in Toronto—the Writers Guild of Canada’s first in-person awards since 2019.

In addition to the nine categories featured, one WGC member will be awarded the prestigious Showrunner Award, a special prize previously won by Anthony Q. Farrell (Shelved, Run the Burbs, Overlord & the Underwoods), Morwyn Brebner (Coroner, Saving Hope), Emily Andras (Wynonna Earp), and others. The ceremony will be hosted by Vance Banzo, a Saulteaux/Cree comedian, actor, writer, and member of award-winning sketch comedy troupe and series, TALLBOYZ.

Save the date: The 27th annual WGC Screenwriting Awards ceremony takes place at 8:00 pm EDT on Monday, April 24, 2023 at Koerner Hall in Toronto. Tickets will go on sale soon via www.wgc.ca.

2023 WGC SCREENWRITING AWARDS FINALISTS

CHILDREN’S

Circuit Breakers, “Permanent Detention” I Story by Melody Fox, Teleplay by Melody Fox & Tim Shell

The Guava Juice Show, “Adventure 9000” I Written by Christine Mitchell
The Guava Juice Show, “Hampersands of Time” I Written by John Hazlett & Lienne Sawatsky & Dan Williams

Odd Squad, “Why Did the Chicken Cross the Dimension” I Written by Andrew De Angelis

Super Wish, “Pinatatown” I Written by Mark Steinberg

Super Wish, “Simon Says Relax” I Written by Tally Yong Knoll

COMEDY SERIES

Acting Good, “Battle in the Bush” I Written by Sonya Ballantyne

Children Ruin Everything, “Road Trips” I Written by Kurt Smeaton

Fakes, “A Cup of Ambition” I Written by Tabia Lau

Fakes, “Real G’s Move in Silence Like Lasagna” I Written by David Turko

Sort Of, “Sort of 2gethr” I Written by Jenn Engels

Sort Of, “Sort of Amsterdam” I Written by Kyah Green & Léa Geronimo Rondot

DOCUMENTARY

My Tree I Written by Jason Sherman

Subjects of Desire I Written by Jennifer Holness

Unloved: Huronia’s Forgotten Children I Written by Barri Cohen

DRAMA SERIES

Coroner, “Heartbeet” I Written by Laura Good

Moonshine, “The Three Sisters of Fate” I Written by Sheri Elwood

The Porter, “Episode 104” I Written by Marsha Greene

Pretty Hard Cases, “Dirty Laundry” I Written by Tassie Cameron

Transplant, “And So It Goes” I Written by Laura Good

FEATURE FILM

Bones of Crows I Written by Marie Clements

Brother I Written by Clement Virgo

The Swearing Jar I Written by Kate Hewlett

MOW & MINISERIES

County Line: All In I Written by James Phillips

Farmer Seeking Love I Written by Gemma Holdway

Written in the Stars I Written by David Elver

PRESCHOOL

Dino Ranch, “Wings Over Dino Ranch” I Written by Ben Joseph & Mike D’Ascenzo

Luna, Chip & Inkie: Adventure Rangers Go, “The Wildest Goose Chase” I Written by Louise Moon

Momolu and Friends, “Broken But Beautiful” I Written by Madeleine Patton

Sago Mini Friends, “Gary’s New Horn” I Written by Meghan Read

Team Zenko Go!, “Home is Where Ken’s Heart Is” I Written by Jeff Sager

SHORTS

Junior’s Giant I Written by Debra McGrath

The Missus Downstairs “A Christmas to Misremember” I Written by Mary Walsh & Dave Sullivan

Second Life I Written by Darrin Rose

True Dating Stories, “Salma” I Written by Nour Hadidi

True Dating Stories, “Vanessa “Vanjie” Mateao” I Written by Kayla Lorette

TWEENS & TEENS

Astrid & Lilly Save the World, “DoppelKopfel” I Written by Alix Markman

Astrid & Lilly Save the World, “One Rib” I Written by Veronika Paz

Astrid & Lilly Save the World, “Tontoom” I Written by Written by Betsy Van Stone & Noelle Stehman

The Hardy Boys, “A Midnight Scare” I Written by Laura Seaton & Heather Taylor

Holly Hobbie, “The Accidental Activist” I Written by Courtney Walker

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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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Coroner and Jann capture WGC Screenwriting Awards

From a media release:

In an awards presentation unlike any other for the Writers Guild of Canada, host Gavin Crawford announced the winners of the 24th annual WGC Screenwriting Awards via the Guild’s YouTube channel this evening. Winners of 2020’s top prizes include Jann Arden & Jennica Harper (JANN), Noelle Carbone (Coroner), Laura Phillips (Sweetness in the Belly) and Nance Ackerman & Ariella Pahlke & Teresa MacInnes (Conviction). Congratulations to 2020’s talented winners and nominees.

WGC special awards were also presented, with the WGC Showrunner Award going to Dennis Heaton, the Sondra Kelly Award to Cynthia Knight, and Nathalie Younglai receiving the Alex Barris Mentorship Award. 

In light of the cancellation of the 2020 physical awards ceremony due to COVID-19, this year’s winners will also be celebrated at the 25th Annual WGC Screenwriting Awards, which are set for April 26, 2021, at Toronto’s Koerner Hall.

2020 WGC SCREENWRITING AWARDS WINNERS 

CHILDREN’S 

Hotel Transylvania: The Series, “Better Know Your Mavis” | Written by Mark Steinberg 

COMEDY SERIES 

JANN, “The Big House” | Story by Jann Arden & Jennica Harper, Teleplay by Jennica Harper 

DOCUMENTARY 

Conviction | Written by Nance Ackerman & Ariella Pahlke & Teresa MacInnes 

DRAMA SERIES 

Coroner, “All’s Well” | Written by Noelle Carbone 

FEATURE FILM 

Sweetness in the Belly | Written by Laura Phillips 

MOW & MINISERIES 

Thicker Than Water | Written by David Elver & Andrea Stevens 

PRESCHOOL 

Dino Dana, “Dino Prints” | Written by J.J. Johnson & Christin Simms & Amish Patel 

SHORTS & WEBSERIES 

Save Me, “Birdie’s End” | Written by Fabrizio Filippo 

TWEENS & TEENS 

Creeped Out, “The Takedown” | Written by Emma Campbell 

SONDRA KELLY AWARD 

Cynthia Knight

ALEX BARRIS MENTORSHIP AWARD 

Nathalie Younglai

WGC SHOWRUNNER AWARD 

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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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Wynonna Earp’s Emily Andras, Schitt’s Creek and The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco capture WGC Screenwriting Awards

From a media release:

A full house gathered at the TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning’s Koerner Hall in Toronto last night for the 23rd annual WGC Screenwriting Awards gala.

Winners of the night’s top prizes included Sarah Dodd (Cardinal: Blackfly Season), Daegan Fryklind (The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco), Rupinder Gill (Schitt’s Creek) and Michael McNamara (Catwalk: Tales from the Cat Show Circuit). Congratulations to 2019’s talented winners and nominees.

WGC special awards were also presented at the gala, with the WGC Showrunner Award going to Emily Andras, the McGrath Service Award to Bruce Smith, the Sondra Kelly Award to Jinder Oujla-Chalmers, and Pat Holden and Amir Kahnamouee each receiving the Jim Burt Screenwriting Prize.

The WGC Screenwriting Awards were hosted by Gavin Crawford and written by Kyle Tingley, with awards presented by Noelle Carbone, Jennica Harper, Carol Hay, Jordan Johnson-Hinds, Elena Juatco, Adam Pettle, Kathleen Phillips, Sugith Varughese and Jennifer Whalen.

2019 WGC SCREENWRITING AWARDS WINNERS

BEST NEW SERIES SCRIPT
The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco “Presidio,” written by Daegan Fryklind

CHILDREN’S
Wishfart “I Wear This Hat Ironically,” written by Josh Sager & Jerome Simpson

COMEDY SERIES
Schitt’s Creek “RIP Moira Rose,” written by Rupinder Gill

DOCUMENTARY
Catwalk: Tales from the Cat Show Circuit, written by Michael McNamara

DRAMA SERIES
Cardinal: Blackfly Season “Red,” written by Sarah Dodd

FEATURE FILM
22 Chaser, written by Jeremy Boxen

MOW & MINISERIES
Odd Squad: World Turned Odd, written by Tim McKeon

SHORTS & WEBSERIES
We’ve Come to the End of Our Time, written by Alex Epstein & Lisa Hunter

TWEENS & TEENS
Star Falls “The Picnic Auction,” written by Cole Bastedo

JIM BURT SCREENWRITING PRIZE
Pat Holden for Mirsada and Amir Kahnamouee for Harbour House

McGRATH SERVICE AWARD
Bruce Smith

SONDRA KELLY AWARD
Jinder Oujla-Chalmers

WGC SHOWRUNNER AWARD
Emily Andras

Image courtesy of the WGC.Facebooktwitterredditlinkedinmail