CBC/Radio-Canada and its production partners have received 309 nominations from the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television for the 2021 Canadian Screen Awards, reflecting the public broadcaster’s commitment to Canadian content, creators and communities. In recognition of CBC/Radio-Canada’s storytelling, production partners and creative voices on all platforms, the nominations mark a new record by exceeding last year’s tally of 269. The awards will be presented during Canadian Screen Week, May 17 through May 20, 2021.
“In a pandemic year during which we’ve seen Canadians turn to their national public broadcaster more than ever across all of our platforms, we couldn’t be more proud to have our programming recognized by these Canadian Screen Award nominations. They are a testament to the creativity, innovation and ingenuity of our journalists and creators, as well as the industry partners with whom we work.”
—Catherine Tait, President and CEO, CBC/Radio-Canada
Highlights of CBC/Radio-Canada’s Canadian Screen Award nominations include the following:
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CBC NEWS has received 31 nominations in 16 network, local and digital categories including multiple nods for flagship news and investigative programs THE NATIONAL (10), CBC NEWS NETWORK (3), MARKETPLACE (4) and THE FIFTH ESTATE (3). CBC regional news programs received ten nominations in four categories for excellence in Montreal (2), Toronto (2), Vancouver (3), Nova Scotia, Ottawa and Windsor.
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CBC’s original scripted programming has earned 104 nominations, including two of the most-nominated television series:
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Comedy: CBC’s comedy series swept four categories including Best Lead Actress, Comedy and Best Performance, Sketch Comedy (Individual or Ensemble). SCHITT’S CREEK (22) including Best Comedy Series, a nod for Best Writing, Best Lead Actor/Actress nominations for the lead cast and BEST WISHES, WARMEST REGARDS: A SCHITT’S CREEK FAREWELL earned one for Best Biography or Arts Documentary Program or Series; KIM’S CONVENIENCE (11) including Best Comedy Series, two nominations for Best Writing and three acting nods; a Best Comedy nomination for WORKIN’ MOMS (11) as well as six acting nods; BARONESS VON SKETCH SHOW (6) including Best Comedy Series, Best Sketch Comedy & Ensemble Performance and a Best Writing nomination, alongside THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES (3); and JONATHAN VAN NESS: KICKS (1).
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Drama: TRICKSTER (15) including a nod for Best Writing and Best Lead Actor/Actress nominations; CORONER (8) including Best Lead Actor/Actress nominations; FRANKIE DRAKE MYSTERIES (6); MURDOCH MYSTERIES (4); BURDEN OF TRUTH (3) including Best Drama Series and Best Lead Actor/Actress; and DIGGSTOWN (3) in the Best Lead Actress category.
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CBC Kids has garnered 12 nominations, including CBC Gem original scripted kids series DETENTION ADVENTURE (6) and ENDLINGS (3) for Best Children’s or Youth Fiction Program or Series; TRUE AND THE RAINBOW KINGDOM (2) for Best Pre-School Program or Series; and THE NEXT STEP (1) for Best Writing, Children’s or Youth. CBC KIDS KINDIE GRAD CLASS OF 2020 FACEBOOK LIVE EVENT (1) also received a nomination for Best Live Production, Social Media.
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CBC and Radio-Canada’s original unscripted, arts and documentary programming has received 93 nominations including:
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Unscripted & Arts: Five nominations for THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW; three nominations each for STILL STANDING and THE DETECTIVES; two nominations each for BATTLE OF THE BLADES and DRAGONS’ DEN; a Best Entertainment News Program or Series nomination for STRONGER TOGETHER (2) conceived and produced in collaboration between Insight Production, CBC/Radio-Canada and Bell Media Studios; as well as nods for the 2019 SCOTIABANK GILLER PRIZE (2); LANDSCAPE ARTIST OF THE YEAR (2); LA BOHÈME (2); and single nominations for YOU CAN’T ASK THAT, BACK IN TIME FOR WINTER, CANADA’S A DRAG, CBC ARTS: EXHIBITIONISTS, CBC ARTS PRESENTS QUEER PRIDE INSIDE: A BUDDIES IN BAD TIMES CABARET and FREEUP! EMANCIPATION DAY SPECIAL.
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Documentaries: CBC and documentary Channel documentaries swept three categories including Best Documentary Program and the Donald Brittain Award for Best Social / Political Documentary Program and received a total of 60 nominations including ten nods for THE NATURE OF THINGS and four nominations each for original docs TOXIC BEAUTY and COMPANY TOWN. Original docuseries ENSLAVED and THE OLAND MURDER received seven and two nominations respectively. CBC Short Docs were recognized with two nominations for LOVE LETTERS FROM EVEREST and one nod each for INENDI and SING ME A LULLABY.
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Radio-Canada feature documentary THE FREE ONES / LES LIBRES received two nominations including Best Cinematography in a Feature Length Documentary.
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CBC Gem original series received 25 nominations, including Best Web Program or Series, Fiction nominations for BIT PLAYAS (6), HEY LADY! (5), DECOYS (2) and THE AMAZING GAYL PILE: LAST RESORT. Original YA hip-hop sci-fi series UTOPIA FALLS earned three nominations including Best Children’s or Youth Fiction Program or Series.
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CBC/Radio-Canada received 54 nominations for short and feature films supported by the public broadcaster including the top-nominated film BLOOD QUANTUM (10), as well as CBC Films’ FUNNY BOY (9) and BEANS (5) which were both nominated for Best Motion Picture; AKILLA’S ESCAPE (8); HAPPY PLACE (3); TAMMY’S ALWAYS DYING (2); and MONKEY BEACH (1). French-language films supported by Radio-Canada and recognized by the Academy include UNDERGROUND / SOUTERRAIN (4); GODDESS OF THE FIREFLIES / LA DÉESSE DES MOUCHES À FEU (3); NADIA, BUTTERFLY (3); LAUGHTER / LE RIRE (2); VACARME (2); and THANKS FOR EVERYTHING / MERCI POUR TOUT – “MERCI POUR TOUT” (1).
Click here for the full list of nominees.