An absurdist dramedy set in an alternate-reality Winnipeg and a TV movie about a demon-slaying gunslinger dominated the Canadian Screen Awards on Saturday.
鈥淯niversal Language,鈥� directed by and starring Matthew Rankin, led the film categories with five wins at a gala dedicated to the cinematic arts 鈥� one of several weekend ceremonies honouring the best in Canadian film, television and digital media.
Among awards the French- and Farsi-language film nabbed were best casting and art direction.
At a separate bash for scripted television, Tubi鈥檚 鈥淲ynonna Earp: Vengeance鈥� 鈥� a movie special reviving the cult supernatural series that wrapped in 2021 鈥� led the pack with six awards.
The production took home honours including best TV movie and best lead performer in a TV movie for Ottawa鈥檚 Melanie Scrofano, who reprises her role as sharp-shooting heroine Wynonna Earp.
Jasmeet Raina鈥檚 Crave dramedy series 鈥淟ate Bloomer鈥� also impressed in the television categories, picking up four wins including best writing in a comedy show, while Family Channel equestrian drama 鈥淏eyond Black Beauty鈥� grabbed four trophies including best youth fiction program.
鈥淭he Apprentice,鈥� a Canada-Ireland-Denmark co-production exploring the early years of U.S. President Donald Trump, had a strong showing on the film side with three awards 鈥� notably best supporting actor for Jeremy Strong鈥檚 portrayal of attorney Roy Cohn.
鈥淟aw & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent,鈥� which led all nominees overall with 20, won two awards: best writing in a drama series and best sound in fiction.
Montreal鈥檚 Jacob Tierney took home best direction in a comedy show for the series finale of Crave comedy 鈥淟etterkenny.鈥�
Vancouver鈥檚 Marie Clements won best direction in a drama series for CBC/APTN historical drama 鈥淏ones of Crows.鈥�
Winners in major categories 鈥� including best film and best TV comedy and drama 鈥� will be announced Sunday in a live CBC broadcast hosted by comedian Lisa Gilroy.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 31, 2025.
Alex Nino Gheciu, The Canadian Press
