The Canadian Screen Awards are presented annually by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, bringing together creators and industry professionals from across the country to celebrate excellence in film, television and digital media.
This year, York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) is well represented with over 25 people recognized across multiple categories.
Blue Heron, directed by Sophy Romvari (MFA ’20), has drawn strong critical praise, screening at festivals from Locarno to TIFF and earning nominations across multiple categories.
Among the most nominated films is Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, with several AMPD alumni recognized across Best Motion Picture, performance, cinematography, music and editing.
Another standout this year is Honey Bunch, co-written and directed by Madeleine Sims-Fewer (BFA ‘08) and Dusty Mancinelli (BFA ‘07), earning nominations in several areas.
York alumnus and instructor in the Department of Cinema & Media Arts, Vlada Paskaljevic (MFA ’15), produced Cat’s Cry, which earned a nomination for Best Performance in a Leading Role.
In documentary and television, AMPD alumni are represented across multiple categories, with Alison Duke (MFA ’20) earning nominations for both Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story and Michelle Ross: Unknown Icon.
Here is the full list of nominees representing AMPD at the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards:
Film
Sophy Romvari (MFA ’20), Blue Heron
Best Motion Picture
Achievement in Direction
Original Screenplay
John Dunning Best First Feature Film Award
Kurt Walker (MFA ’22), Blue Heron
Achievement in Editing
Matt Johnson (BFA ’06, MFA ’16), Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie
Best Motion Picture
Achievement in Music - Original Song
Performance in a Supporting Role, Comedy
Matt Greyson (BFA ‘08), Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie
Best Motion Picture
Matthew Miller (BFA '03) (MFA '16), Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie
Best Motion Picture
Jared Raab (BFA ’07), Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie
Achievement in Editing
Adam Clark (BFA ’11), Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie
Achievement in Sound Mixing
Luca Tarantini (BFA ’13), Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie
Achievement in Visual Effects
Iris Ng (BFA ’01), There Are No Words
Best Cinematography in a Feature Length Documentary
Kunsang Kyirong (MFA ’22), 100 Sunset
John Dunning Best First Feature Film Award
Madeleine Sims-Fewer (BFA ‘08), Honey Bunch
Achievement in Costume Design
Heather Hedley (current Cinema & Media Arts - Production student), Honey Bunch
Achievement in Costume Design
Elma Bello (BFA ’95), Mile End Kicks
Achievement in Sound Editing
Television and Documentary
Nadine Bhabha (BFA '16), Heated Rivalry
Best Guest Performance, Drama Series
Alison Duke (MFA ’20), Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story
Best Biography or Arts Documentary Program or Series
Best Writing, Documentary
Best Direction, Documentary Program
Alison Duke (MFA ’20), Michelle Ross: Unknown Icon
Best Direction, Documentary Series
Best Writing, Documentary
Elma Bello (BFA ’95), Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story
Best Sound, Documentary or Factual
Amanda Brugel (BFA ’00), The Handmaid’s Tale
Spotlight Award for Best Performance
Gabriela Osio Vanden (BFA ’12), Don’t Come Upstairs
Best Photography, Documentary or Factual
Iris Ng (BFA ’13), Exclusion: Beyond the Silence
Best Photography, Documentary or Factual
Joyce Wong (BFA ’09), The Sticky
Spotlight Award for Best Direction
Martin Edralin (current MFA Film student), La Mayordomía
Best Short Documentary
Nikolay Michaylov (current MFA Film student), Measures for a Funeral
Achievement in Cinematography
Justin Stockman (BFA ’96), Canada’s Drag Race, The Traitors Canada
Best Reality/Competition Program or Series
Best Lifestyle Program or Series
Michael Tersigni (BFA ’04), The Amazing Race Canada
Best Reality/Competition Program or Series
Best Writing, Lifestyle or Reality/Competition
Paulina Robak (BFA ’05), The Amazing Race Canada
Best Writing, Lifestyle or Reality/Competition
Arnie Zipursky (BFA ’78), Dying in Plain Sight
Best TV Movie
Art Mullin (BFA ’99), Unicorn Academy
Best Sound, Animation
Jenny Lewis (BA ’94), Heated Rivalry
Best Achievement in Casting, Fiction
Teresa M. Ho (BFA ’95), North of North
Best Comedy Series
Stacey McGunnigle (BFA ’08), This Hour Has 22 Minutes
Best Sketch Comedy Show & Ensemble Performance
Best Writing, Variety or Sketch Comedy
Howard Shefman (BFA ’10), Dark Side of the Ring
Best Factual Series
Mark J.W. Bishop (MA ’12), Old Enough!
Best Children's or Youth Non-Fiction Program or Series
Francine DiBacco (MA ’15), Blue Rodeo: Lost Together
Best Biography or Arts Documentary Program or Series
Bita Joudaki (MFA ’21), This Hour Has 22 Minutes
Best Writing, Variety or Sketch Comedy
Digital
Julie Nolke (BFA ’12), Julie Nolke
Creator of the Year
Nadine Bhabha (BFA ’16), Settle Down
Best Supporting Performance, Web Program or Series
Rong Fu (BFA ’12), Dying Seconds
Best Supporting Performance, Web Program or Series
Leighton Alexander Williams (BFA ’15), Settle Down
Best Supporting Performance, Web Program or Series
For a complete list of nominations across all categories, visit the Canadian Screen Awards official site.
The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards will air on Sunday, May 31 at 8 p.m. ET.