A recent regulation change at the Canadian Screen Awards, which limits awards to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, is facing backlash from certain filmmakers who increasingly depend on cross-border collaborations and international talent.
Many of this year’s most nominated films and TV series, such as the post-apocalyptic thriller “40 Acres,” the popular Crave hockey romance “Heated Rivalry,” and the Montreal-based comedy “Mile End Kicks,” feature lead actors from the United States.
Matthew Miller, a producer of “Mile End Kicks,” expressed disappointment over not being able to submit the film’s lead actress, Barbie Ferreira, for an award nomination. Ferreira, known for her role in “Euphoria,” hails from New York City and is now ineligible for an award under the revised guidelines set by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television.
Miller highlighted the challenges faced by Canadian filmmakers in making and financing movies, emphasizing the importance of casting non-Canadians and bringing in international stars to these productions.
Despite some discontent among fans of “Heated Rivalry” regarding the ineligibility of American actor Connor Storrie for an award, industry insiders are commending the Screen Awards for promoting Canadian talent and culture, particularly in the face of external threats like potential tariffs.
Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, the creator of “North of North,” a top nominee this year, supported the celebration of Canadian talent through the awards. ACTRA, the Canadian actors’ union, also praised the decision as a step towards enhancing the domestic entertainment industry.
Louis Calabro, the vice-president of programming and awards at the Canadian Academy, indicated that the organization is open to reassessing the rules in the future based on feedback and industry insights to ensure informed decision-making.
Filmmaker R.T. Thorne, whose film “40 Acres” received 10 nominations, suggested the creation of an award category for international stars to recognize the impact of films with bankable stars across multiple territories. Calabro mentioned previous attempts at introducing an international drama category and stressed the importance of ongoing collaboration with the industry to shape the rules effectively.