Canadian Screen Awards 2026 Nominations Unveiled with Major Contenders
The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards nominations have been announced, showcasing a strong lineup of Canadian productions across film, television, and digital media. Leading the charge are the TV comedy North of North and the post-apocalyptic feature 40 Acres, which garnered 20 and 10 nominations respectively in their categories.
Top Nominees in Television and Film
North of North, a Nunavut-set comedy series, topped the overall nominations with 20 nods, including best comedy series and best ensemble performance. The show follows an Inuk mother starting anew in a fictional town and also earned a nomination for Anna Lambe as best lead performer in comedy.
Close behind with 18 nominations is the queer hockey drama Heated Rivalry, recognized for best drama series and best lead performer for stars Hudson Williams and François Arnaud. Notably, under new rules this year, only Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible, excluding American co-star Connor Storrie from individual nominations.
In film, 40 Acres stars Danielle Deadwyler as a matriarch in a post-Civil War survival story and received nods for best motion picture and achievement in direction for R.T. Thorne.
Other Notable Nominations and Categories
The best drama series category includes other contenders such as Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, Plan B, Saint-Pierre, and Wild Cards. For best comedy series, nominees are Children Ruin Everything, Late Bloomer, Son of a Critch, and The Trades.
In the film sector, Follies, Honey Bunch, and Nirvanna: The Band – the Show – the Movie each received eight nominations. Digital media saw Settle Down lead with nine nominations, including best lead performance for Alexander Nunez.
Awards Details and Industry Impact
Spearheaded by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, the nominations cover 146 categories, reflecting a vibrant year for Canadian creativity. Tammy Frick, CEO of the Academy, 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 14th annual awards will be presented over four days during Canadian Screen Week 2026 in Toronto, culminating in a broadcast on May 31 hosted by Andrew Phung. Voting by Academy members runs from March 26 to April 13 to determine the winners.
