Foreign performers will no longer be eligible for the 2026 Screen Awards in Canada
The Canadian Screen Awards, the country's prestigious film and television honours, have announced significant changes to their eligibility and voting rules. These changes, which come into effect from the 2026 edition, aim to best celebrate and honour Canadians working on Canadian productions.
The decision follows a rise in Canadian nationalism countrywide, influenced by the ongoing U.S.-Canada diplomatic and trade tensions. Notably, the changes were announced amidst President Donald Trump's tariff and annexation threats.
The Academy of the Canadian Screen Awards stated that individuals must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada to be eligible for a Canadian Screen Award. This move is intended to limit the occasional awarding of trophies to Americans and other foreign talent, as seen in previous years.
One of the most anticipated films premiering this weekend is "London Calling," an action comedy directed by Simon West. The film, which stars Josh Duhamel and Jeremy Ray Taylor, has generated a lot of buzz due to its unique blend of humour and thrilling action sequences. However, Allan Ungar, the Canadian director of "London Calling," has expressed concerns that the tightened eligibility rules may limit the sale and promotional reach of homegrown movies in international markets.
The Canadian Screen Awards will also introduce four new "Spotlight" categories to honour Canadian directors, writers, performers, and producers who work on international TV series made and broadcast in Canada. This move is part of the Awards' efforts to recognise the significant contributions of Canadian talent in the global entertainment industry.
The 2025 Canadian Screen Awards saw several notable wins. Sebastian Stan was awarded Best Performance in a Lead Role for his portrayal of Donald Trump, while Cate Blanchett won Best Lead Performance in a Comedy for her role in Guy Maddin's "Rumours." Jeremy Strong also won Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Roy Cohn.
In addition, "The Apprentice," a Canada-Ireland-Denmark co-production, earned the Best Film prize at the 2025 CSAs. The CSAs will also launch a Creator of the Year prize to honour a Canadian digital creator whose original work has found significant online reach.
These changes in the Canadian Screen Awards' eligibility and voting rules are a reflection of the growing national pride and the desire to celebrate homegrown talent more prominently. As the Awards continue to evolve, they remain committed to honouring the best in Canadian film and TV.
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