The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (the Canadian Academy) announced today The Canadian Screen Awards with Samantha Bee, airing on Sunday, April 16, 2023 at 8:00 PM (9:00 PM AT, 9:30 PM NT) on CBC and CBC Gem. The Canadian Comedian will host the broadcast show, which will mark the final day of Canadian Screen Week 2023 following a week of seven genre-based award shows taking place in-person in Toronto — for the first time in four years — from Tuesday, April 11, 2023 through to Friday, April 14, 2023.
An intimate look at Canadian storytelling excellence on screen, The Canadian Screen Awards with Samantha Bee is an hour-long star-studded broadcast special featuring celebrity interviews, highlights from the Awards presentations throughout Canadian Screen Week 2023, and exclusive access to this year’s illustrious slate of Special Award recipients, including: the Humanitarian Award, presented by Paramount+, honouree Ryan Reynolds; Academy Icon Award recipient Catherine O’Hara; and the recipient of the Radius Award, presented by MADE | NOUS, Simu Liu. Produced by creative powerhouses Katie Lafferty and Roma Ahi of Makers, the show will be a comprehensive survey of the previous year, diving into some of the best moments in Canadian television and film from 2022.
Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Samantha Bee quickly established herself as having one of the most unique and sharp comedic voices on television following her 12-year stint as a correspondent on The Daily Show. In 2016, she launched her very own Emmy-Winning weekly late-night comedy series, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, which ran for seven seasons on TBS. Bee is also the author of the essay collection I Know I Am, But What Are You?, has been featured in TIME 100: The Most Influential People, is the host of the ‘Full Release,’ podcast and co-created the half-hour comedy series, The Detour, which ran for four seasons on TBS. In 2018, Bee announced her new production company, Swimsuit Competition, co-founded with “Full Frontal” producer Kristen Everman. Swimsuit Competition creates inclusive, narrative and documentary television.
The Canadian Academy is also thrilled to announce a return to in-person events throughout Canadian Screen Week 2023, taking place live at Meridian Hall in Toronto from Tuesday, April 11, 2023 through to Friday, April 14, 2023. Attendees can look forward to four days of celebrating the achievements of Canadian talent with a series of awards shows, intimate cocktail receptions, and exclusive industry programming at the 2023 Members Lounge, presented by the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA), where guests will have the opportunity to gather with their peers and toast to the previous year in person.
Building on the successful format of the Academy’s 2022 Canadian Screen Awards (which saw virtual shows with added live elements), the entirety of the 2023 Canadian Screen Awards in film, television, and digital media will be handed out over seven shows scheduled throughout Canadian Screen Week 2023. This format also sees an exciting return to in-person acceptance speeches and red carpets (with media in attendance for select events), as winners will once again be able to accept their award and thank their peers in the room.
“‘Excited’ does not even begin to describe how we feel about returning to an in-person Canadian Screen Week this April,” said Tammy Frick, CEO, the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. “With the amount of quality entertainment that has been created by Canadians over the past few years — films and television shows that have made us laugh, cry, and feel deeply — we are very much looking forward to gathering again in person to celebrate the amazing work from our country’s finest creative minds.”
“I am thrilled to be hosting this very glamorous event, and excited to subtly drop my resume to all of the Best and the Brightest in Canadian TV and film,” said Samantha Bee, Comedian and host of The Canadian Screen Awards with Samantha Bee.
The full schedule for the 2023 Canadian Screen Awards is as follows:
12:00 PM ET – The Sports Programming Awards
6:00 PM ET – The News, Documentary & Factual Awards
Wednesday, April 12
12:00 PM ET – The Children’s & Animation Awards, presented by Shaw Rocket Fund
6:00 PM ET – The Lifestyle & Reality Awards
Thursday, April 13
12:00 PM ET – The Digital & Immersive Awards
6:00 PM ET – The Cinematic Arts Awards, presented by Telefilm Canada and supported by Cineplex
Friday, April 14
4:00 PM ET – The Comedic & Dramatic Arts Awards
Sunday, April 16
8:00 PM (9:00 PM AT, 9:30 PM NT) – The Canadian Screen Awards with Samantha Bee on CBC and CBC Gem
The nominees for the 2023 Canadian Screen Awards will be announced on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 7:00 AM ET.
The Canadian Academy is also pleased to announce that the beloved fan-voted Cogeco Fund Audience Choice Award will be launching on Thursday, February 23, 2023. Following the success of last year, the award will once again encourage fans from around the world to cast their votes for their favourite Canadian television or digital media show.
