A recent regulation change at the Canadian Screen Awards that limits awards to Canadian citizens and permanent residents is facing backlash from filmmakers who increasingly collaborate across borders and with international talent.
Numerous highly acclaimed films and TV shows this year, such as the post-apocalyptic thriller “40 Acres,” the steamy hockey romance “Heated Rivalry” on Crave, and the Montreal-based comedy “Mile End Kicks,” have lead actors from the U.S.
One of the producers of “Mile End Kicks,” Matthew Miller, expressed disappointment over not being able to nominate the lead actress, Barbie Ferreira, who hails from New York City. The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television altered the eligibility criteria late last year, making Ferreira ineligible for an award.
Miller highlighted the challenges in promoting their movie without the lead actors being eligible for nominations, emphasizing the importance of casting non-Canadians and bringing in international stars to Canadian films.
Despite some criticism from fans of “Heated Rivalry” regarding the ineligibility of American actor Connor Storrie for an award while his Canadian co-star Hudson Williams is eligible, many industry insiders support the patriotic shift in the Screen Awards. The decision aligns with a growing sense of national pride, particularly after concerns raised by former U.S. President Donald Trump about industry tariffs.
Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, creator of “North of North,” a top nominee this year, praised the focus on local talent, echoing sentiments from ACTRA, the Canadian actors’ union, which views the change as a positive step for the Canadian entertainment industry.
Louis Calabro, vice-president of programming and awards at the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, indicated that the rules could be reviewed in the future based on feedback, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to making informed decisions rather than impulsive changes.
R.T. Thorne, director of “40 Acres,” also faced challenges due to the rule change, which rendered lead actress Danielle Deadwyler ineligible for an award. Thorne suggested considering an international star category to recognize films with actors appealing to multiple markets.
Calabro mentioned past attempts at introducing an international drama category and stressed the importance of ongoing dialogue with industry stakeholders to shape rules collaboratively.