Quick Read
- North of North leads TV nominations with 20 nods.
- 40 Acres tops film nominations with 10.
- Spotlight Awards introduced for Canadians on non-Canadian series.
- Heated Rivalry received 18 TV nominations.
- Awards ceremony scheduled for May 31, 2026.
TORONTO (Azat TV) – The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television announced the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards nominees on March 25, revealing a new wave of frontrunners that signal a shift in the national film and television landscape. The Indigenous-led comedy series North of North leads all television nominees with 20 nods, underscoring the growing prominence of Indigenous voices in Canadian media.
North of North Dominates 2026 Canadian Screen Awards Television Nominations
North of North, produced by Lionsgate Canada and featuring talents such as Anna Lambe, garnered 20 nominations, including Best Comedy Series, Best Ensemble Performance, and Best Lead Performer for Lambe. This matches one of the highest nomination counts in Canadian Screen Awards history, tying with 2025’s Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent. Its success highlights a rising trend of Indigenous-led productions gaining critical acclaim and national visibility.
Other notable television nominees include Heated Rivalry with 18 nominations and Small Achievable Goals with 12. The awards span 146 categories across film, television, and digital media, reflecting the Canadian Academy’s broad recognition of diverse storytelling.
Film Front-Runners Showcasing Canadian Genre Excellence
In film, the dystopian horror feature 40 Acres leads with 10 nominations, including Best Motion Picture and Best Direction for R.T. Thorne. Following closely are Follies | Folichonneries, Honey Bunch, and Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie with eight nominations each. These films emphasize the strength and variety of Canadian genre cinema, from horror to comedy sci-fi, marking a notable year for Canadian filmmakers.
Other films like Blue Heron and Mile End Kicks have also earned seven nominations, underscoring a competitive field.
Spotlight on Digital Media and New Award Categories
The Canadian Screen Awards 2026 also introduced the Spotlight Award categories, honoring Canadians working on non-Canadian certified television series produced in Canada. The series Wayward leads this category with seven nominations. Digital media productions such as Settle Down received nine nominations, reflecting the Academy’s commitment to recognizing excellence in emerging platforms.
CEO Tammy Frick stated, “Canada’s creative community has experienced an extraordinary year, with bold storytelling and world-class talent capturing attention at home and around the globe.” The inclusion of new categories and the high number of nominees from Indigenous-led and genre projects demonstrate the evolving diversity and innovation within Canada’s screen industries.
Upcoming Voting and Ceremony Details for Canadian Screen Awards 2026
Voting among approximately 3,000 Academy members began March 26 and will continue through April 13, determining the winners who will be announced during Canadian Screen Week. The week-long celebration culminates with the televised awards ceremony hosted by Andrew Phung on May 31, broadcast on CBC, CBC Gem, Crave, CTV, Global, and STACKTV.
With over 1,300 individuals nominated across 146 categories, the 14th annual Canadian Screen Awards reflect a vibrant and expanding Canadian screen sector that is increasingly inclusive and internationally recognized.
The strong showing of Indigenous-led productions like North of North at the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards signals a significant cultural shift in Canadian television, where diverse voices are gaining unprecedented recognition, reshaping the industry’s identity and national presence.