CBC/Radio-Canada has received 269 nominations from the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television for the 2020 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 span two thirds of all television, digital and film categories and mark a new record by exceeding last year’s tally of 236.
“It’s great to break another record—but, most important, is this incredible validation of the extraordinary talent that we have the privilege to work with at CBC/Radio-Canada,” said Catherine Tait, President and CEO, CBC/Radio-Canada. “Our news and entertainment programming has garnered outstanding recognition around the world this year, and it’s thrilling to salute our own here at home at the CSA’s celebration.”
In addition to the 269 nominations for CBC/Radio-Canada, the Canadian Academy will also honour Dr. David Suzuki, host of CBC’s long-running natural history and science documentary series THE NATURE OF THINGS, with the Lifetime Achievement Award; and Dan Levy, showrunner, writer, director and star of CBC’s global hit comedy SCHITT’S CREEK, with the Radius Award during Canadian Screen Week.
The 2020 Canadian Screen Awards will be broadcast live on CBC and the free CBC Gem streaming service on Sunday, March 29 at 8 p.m. ET (9 p.m. AT/ 9:30 p.m. NT). Leading up to the broadcast, Canadians can share their thoughts on the nominees with CBC on Twitter @CBC using #CdnScreenAwards.
Highlights of CBC/Radio-Canada’s Canadian Screen Award nominations include the following:
- CBC NEWS has received 29 nominations in 17 network, local and digital categories including multiple nods for flagship news and investigative programs THE NATIONAL (7) and THE FIFTH ESTATE (6), as well as five nominations for MARKETPLACE. CBC Regions received seven nominations in four categories for excellence in Ottawa (2), Vancouver, Saskatchewan, Toronto, Windsor, and Montreal.
- CBC’s original scripted programming has earned 89 nominations, including the top two most-nominated television series:
- Comedy: SCHITT’S CREEK (26) including Best Comedy Series, four Best Writing nods, and Best Lead Actor/Actress nominations for the lead cast; KIM’S CONVENIENCE (8) including Best Comedy Series and five acting nods; a Best Comedy nomination for WORKIN’ MOMS (5); BARONESS VON SKETCH SHOW (5) including a Best Sketch Comedy & Ensemble Performance nomination alongside TALLBOYZ (2); LITTLE DOG (1), THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES (1); AIR FARCE NEW YEAR’S EVE 2018 (1); CAVENDISH (1); and A CHRISTMAS CAROL: THE FAMILY MUSICAL WITH SCROOGE LOOSE (1).
- Drama: ANNE WITH AN E (17) including Best Drama Series and Best Lead Actress, Drama Series nominations; CORONER (5) including Best Drama Series and Best Lead Actress/Actor nominations; MURDOCH MYSTERIES (3); a Best Lead Actor, Drama Series nomination for BURDEN OF TRUTH (2); DIGGSTOWN (2); FRANKIE DRAKE MYSTERIES (1); STREET LEGAL (1), and UNSPEAKABLE (1) in the Best Lead Actor, Drama Series category.
- CBC Kids has garnered six nominations, including TRUE AND THE RAINBOW KINGDOM (2), for Best Pre-School Program or Series; and the first CBC Gem original scripted kids series, DETENTION ADVENTURE (2), including Best Web Program or Series, Fiction.
- CBC’s original unscripted, arts and documentary programming has received 71 nominations including:
- Unscripted & Arts: Six nominations for STILL STANDING; four nominations for THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW; Best Live Entertainment Special nods for the 2018 SCOTIABANK GILLER PRIZE (3), CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS 2019 (3), and THE JUNO AWARDS 2019 (3); Best Variety or Entertainment Special for the 2019 INDSPIRE AWARDS (2); Best Web Program or Series, Non-Fiction nods for ART HURTS (1) and CANADA’S A DRAG (1); and single nods for CBC ARTS: EXHIBITIONISTS, DRAGONS’ DEN, NEW YEAR’S EVE COUNTDOWN TO 2019, SUPER QUEEROES, and THE DETECTIVES.
- Documentaries: 13 nominations for THE NATURE OF THINGS, eight nods for CBC DOCS POV and 14 for documentary Channel programming, including six for THE ACCOUNTANT OF AUSCHWITZ. CBC Short Docs was recognized with one nomination each for FAST HORSE and TAKE ME TO PROM.
- CBC Gem original series received 19 nominations, including a sweep of the Best Web Program or Series, Fiction category with HOW TO BUY A BABY (6), SAVE ME (5), THE 410 (3), and MING’S DYNASTY (2), alongside DETENTION ADVENTURE. TRUE DATING STORIES (2) received a nomination for Best Web Program or Series, Non-Fiction, and TALENT DRIVERS received a Best Support Performance nomination.
- CBC/Radio-Canada received 54 nominations for short and feature films supported by the public broadcaster including the top-nominated film THE SONG OF NAMES (9), as well as CBC Films’ THE BODY REMEMBERS WHEN THE WORLD BROKE OPEN (6), which was nominated for Best Motion Picture; AMERICAN WOMAN (4); DISAPPEARANCE AT CLIFTON HILL (4); AN AUDIENCE OF CHAIRS (1); and MOUTHPIECE (1). French films supported by Radio-Canada and recognized by the Academy include ANTIGONE (7), AND THE BIRDS RAINED DOWN/ IL PLEUVAIT DES OISEAUX (5); KUESSIPAN (3); A BROTHER’S LOVE/LA FEMME DE MON FRÈRE (2); GHOST TOWN ANTHOLOGY/ RÉPERTOIRE DES VILLES DISPARUES (2); 14 DAYS, 12 NIGHTS/ 14 JOURS, 12 NUITS (1); JEUNE JULIETTE (1); and JOULIKS (1). GOALIE also received five nominations. KINSHIP and JUSTE MOI ET TOI were each nominated in the Best Live Action Short Drama category.
- CBC SPORTS has garnered seven nominations, including Best Sports Program or Series for weekly staple ROAD TO THE OLYMPIC GAMES, which also received a nomination for Best Sports Host for Andi Petrillo. In the same category, Scott Russell was nominated for coverage of the 2018 GRAND PRIX FINAL FIGURE SKATING.