AMPD alumni excel at 2025 Canadian Screen Awards » School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design
Skip to main content Skip to local navigation
A gold award with a black and gold sparkled background.

AMPD alumni excel at 2025 Canadian Screen Awards



Alumni from the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) have made a significant mark on the Canadian entertainment industry this year, taking home top honours at the Canadian Screen Awards.

From reality television to animated series and award-winning documentaries, York alumni have shown that they are at the forefront of the Canadian entertainment scene.

The Canadian Screen Awards are known for honouring contributions to Canadian media across film, television and digital media.

Among this year’s winners are several standout talents from AMPD, including:

Television:

Vince Commisso (MBA ’92, BAS ’88, BA ’86) for Best Animated Program or Series, Wild Kratts

Melissa Grelo (BA ’02, BEd ’02) for Best Host, Talk Show or Entertainment News, The Social

Cynthia Loyst (BFA ’98) for Best Host, Talk Show or Entertainment News, The Social

Michael Emberley (BFA ’00) for Best Picture Editing, Reality/Competition, Big Brother Canada - Episode 18

Tracy Galvin (BA ’85) for Best Live Entertainment Special, The 2024 JUNO Awards

Allison Grace (BA ’94) for Best Lifestyle Program or Series, Mary Makes It Easy

Amanda Parris (BA ’08) for Best Direction, Factual, For the Culture with Amanda Parris - Diaspora Wars

Bryn Hughes (BA ’02) for Best Biography or Arts Documentary Program or Series, The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal

Graeme Cornies (BFA ’06) for Best Original Music, Animation, PAW Patrol - Rescue Wheels: Pups Save Adventure Bay!

Justin Stockman (BFA ’96) for Best Reality/Competition Program or Series, Canada's Drag Race

Stacey McGunnigle (BFA ’08) for Best Performance, Sketch Comedy (Individual or Ensemble), This Hour Has 22 Minutes

Stacey McGunnigle (BFA ’08) for Best Writing, Variety or Sketch Comedy, This Hour Has 22 Minutes

Richard Young (MBA ’03) for Best Writing, Pre-School, Dino Ranch - Sonny's T-Rex Turmoil

Steve Denheyer (BA ’95) for Best Sports Opening, 2024 Copa America

Film:

Michael Davison (BFA ’14) for Achievement in Visual Effects, Code 8: Part II

David Schmidt (BFA ’11) for Best Editing in a Feature Length Documentary, Wilfred Buck

Digital Media:

Andrew Nicholas McCann Smith (BA ’06) for Best Web Program or Series, Fiction, Stories from my Gay Grandparents

Congratulations to all the alumni who brought home a Canadian Screen Award this year!

Read the full story on YFile.