TORONTO, March 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (the Canadian Academy) has officially announced the nominees for the 2025 Canadian Screen Awards, showcasing an impressive 149 categories across film, television, and digital media. The excitement culminates over three days in Toronto, with the grand finale—the 2025 Canadian Screen Awards—set to be hosted by Canadian comedian Lisa Gilroy and streamed live on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at 8:00 PM ET on CBC Gem.
Leading the pack is the television series Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, which has secured a remarkable 20 nominations, making it the most nominated series overall. This Toronto-based adaptation of the iconic American franchise has made waves since its debut, reimagining infamous Canadian crime stories through the lens of local detectives. Among its nominations are Best Drama Series and individual nods for Best Lead Performer, with Kathleen Munroe and Aden Young both receiving recognition for their performances.
Following closely are three series that each garnered 12 nominations: CBC’s Indigenous historical drama Bones of Crows, CTV’s family comedy Children Ruin Everything, and CBC’s Run the Burbs. The latter two shows have recently concluded their runs, with Children Ruin Everything finishing after four successful seasons in February 2025.
In the film categories, Matthew Rankin’s absurdist dramedy Universal Language | Une langue universelle leads with 13 nominations, including Best Motion Picture and Achievement in Direction. This film has already made headlines by winning a $50,000 prize from the Toronto Film Critics Association just a month prior. Following Universal Language is David Cronenberg’s The Shrouds with nine nominations and Sam McGlynn’s Deaner ’89 and Karen Chapman’s Village Keeper, each with seven nominations.
“I am constantly amazed by the exceptional films, television shows, and digital projects that we have the privilege of celebrating at the Canadian Screen Awards, and this year is no different,” said Tammy Frick, CEO of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. “Canadian creativity continues to reach new heights, and we are eager to honour the extraordinary work being produced in the greatest country in the world—Canada.”
The 2025 Canadian Screen Awards will be presented from Friday, May 30, 2025, to Sunday, June 1, 2025, at the CBC Broadcast Centre in Toronto. The awards will feature a series of five ceremonies, culminating in the grand gala on June 1, which will be available live on CBC Gem. The complete schedule of events and adjacent programming can be found at CanadianScreenAwards.ca.
As part of the festivities, the Box Office for the 2025 Canadian Screen Awards opens on Thursday, March 27, 2025, allowing attendees to book their tickets online. Each award presentation will include cocktail receptions for nominees and guests before and after the shows.
The nominees for these prestigious awards are selected by voting members of the Canadian Academy and by nominating juries comprised of industry professionals from the film, television, and digital media sectors. Voting will take place from March 27 to April 14, 2025, determining this year’s winners.
This year’s event highlights the diversity and talent within Canada’s entertainment industry, with a total of 265 feature, documentary, and short films nominated, alongside 433 television and digital media titles. The nominations reflect a broad spectrum of storytelling, showcasing the talents of both emerging and established creators.
In addition to the main categories, the awards will also recognize excellence in digital media. The comedy series My Dead Mom leads this category with eight nominations, followed by Stories from my Gay Grandparents with six and Everybody’s Meg with four.
The competition for Best Motion Picture includes notable titles such as The Apprentice, Darkest Miriam, Gamma Rays, Universal Language, Village Keeper, and Who Do I Belong To. The Best Drama Series contenders feature Allegiance, Bones of Crows, Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, Potluck Ladies, and Sight Unseen.
As the excitement builds for the 2025 Canadian Screen Awards, the nominations serve as a reminder of the incredible talent and creativity flourishing within Canada's film and television landscape. With the event just around the corner, the anticipation for the winners continues to grow.
For more information about the nominees, ticket bookings, and event details, visit the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television’s official website at academy.ca.
