A local Toronto adaptation of the renowned Law & Order franchise, titled "Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent," has taken the lead with an impressive 20 nominations for the upcoming Canadian Screen Awards. This Citytv series is in contention for top honors such as best drama, alongside individual recognitions for directing and writing. Competing in the best TV drama category are other notable entries like CBC’s Bones of Crow, which secured 12 nominations, and Allegiance, another CBC police procedural show.
Other television programs making significant impacts include CTV’s Children Ruin Everything and CBC’s Run the Burbs, both earning 12 nods each. The broadcasting of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics on CBC also garnered 11 nominations. Shifting to film categories, Matthew Rankin's Universal Language stands out with 13 nominations, including for best drama and direction. Set in Winnipeg and Montreal, this Farsi- and French-language tribute to Iranian cinema gained international acclaim by winning Cannes' Directors’ Fortnight's first-ever audience award and representing Canada at the Academy Awards.
In addition to Universal Language, the best movie competition features diverse selections such as The Apprentice, Darkest Miriam, Gamma Rays, Village Keeper, and Who Do I Belong To. Notable directors contending for the best movie director category include Naomi Jaye, Henry Bernadet, Ara Ball, Atom Egoyan, and Meryam Joobeur. On the acting front, Sebastian Stan from The Apprentice, Carrie-Anne Moss from Die Alone, and Britt Lower for Darkest Miriam are among those nominated for leading drama roles.
Further enriching the film category, David Cronenberg’s The Shrouds earned nine mentions, while Sam McGlynn’s Deaner ’89 and Karen Chapman’s Village Keeper both received seven nods. These prestigious nominations were announced Wednesday by The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television across 149 categories spanning film, television, and digital media. Winners in key categories will be revealed during a gala event hosted by Lisa Gilroy in Toronto on June 1, streamed live via CBC Gem.
As anticipation builds for the Canadian Screen Awards, industry insiders and fans alike eagerly await the outcomes of these competitive categories. With a wide range of talent and productions recognized, the awards promise to celebrate the richness and diversity of Canadian entertainment. For those interested in exploring the full list of nominees, it will soon be accessible on the Canadian Academy’s official website.