The 2023 Canadian Screen Awards nominations just dropped

The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television announced the nominees for the 2023 Canadian Screen Awards today in categories that spread across TV, film, and digital media, and it’s time to get excited because this is truly a star-studded list of powerhouse Canadian talent. 

We already knew that the televised ceremony, which will air on April 16, will be hosted by Full Frontal legend Samantha Bee and special award recipients will include Simu Liu, Ryan Reynolds and Catherine O'Hara, but the major names don’t end there.

They’re here.

Congratulations to our nominees for the 2023 #CdnScreenAwards! The full list is available now at https://t.co/CrU0RliA1B.

Canadian Screen Week 2023 begins on Tuesday, April 11, and we look forward to celebrating with you all! pic.twitter.com/lO8dt1y7sl

— The Canadian Academy (@TheCdnAcademy) February 22, 2023

In the glittering film section, director Clement Virgo’s Brother nabbed 14 nominations, followed closely by Stephane Lafleur’s Viking with 13, and David Cronenberg’s Crimes of the Future garnering 11.

What’s really exciting about the lead and supporting nominations in both film and TV is that they contain the first instance of gender-neutral performance categories. That’s right! No more Best Actor, Best Actress, we finally get Best Performance. We are obsessed with this.

So, for example, the lead performance competition will see people across the spectrum in competition, regardless of their gender identity, like  Monica Chokri (Babysitter), Lamar Johnson (Brother), Joseph Engel (Falcon Lake) and Kelly Depeault (Noémie dit oui) up against

Seung-Yoon Choi (Riceboy Sleeps), Maxime Le Flaguais (Rodéo), Larissa Corriveau (Un été comme ça) and Steve Laplante (Viking).  

Congrats, big shoots. The team at @newmetricmedia scores six #CdnScreenAwards noms for @cravecanada orig #Letterkenny, including Best Comedy Series! pic.twitter.com/oC00106Spb

— Crave_PR (@Crave_PR) February 22, 2023

On the TV side, your favourite Toronto hospital drama, Transplant received a whopping 8 nominations in the categories of Best Drama Series, Best Writing - Drama Series, Best Picture Editing - Drama, Best Sound - Fiction, Best Achievement in Casting - Fiction and Best Lead Performer - Drama Series for both Hamza Haq and Laurence Leboeuf!

Congratulations to the #Transplant team on your #CdnScreenAwards nominations, including Best Drama Series! @TheCdnAcademy @CTV pic.twitter.com/Y3Q37d1u8Q

— Transplant (@TransplantCTV) February 22, 2023

Letterkenny also nabbed six nods across the categories, but The Porter is waaaaay out in front with 19 nominations across the board. 

And hallelujah! Your beloved celeb news source Etalk is nominated in the Best Entertainment News Program or Series category. *shines fingernails on chest*

In addition, Etalk and The Social alum Traci Melchor is nominated in the Best Host or Presenter, Factual or Reality/Competition category for her role in Canada’s Drag Race. We’re rooting for her, NGL. 

The most bittersweet nomination probably goes to the late, great Christopher Plummer, who is nominated for his role in Departure. Hand us the kleenex, please. 

Congrats to @JFLCanada and @CounterfeitPics on their four #CdnScreenAwards noms for @CTVComedy’s #RoastBattleCanada, including Best Sketch Comedy Program or Series! pic.twitter.com/2hIHfaelpf

— CTV PR (@CTV_PR) February 22, 2023

“From legendary directors like David Cronenberg to new voices like Bilal Baig, the 2023 Canadian Screen Award nominees reaffirm that our country has an immensely talented industry, and we are lucky to call them Canadian," Tammy Frick, CEO, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, said in a statement. "Supporting these artists has never been more important, and we are proud to be at the centre of those efforts. I'm thrilled to share my heartfelt congratulations with all of the nominees, and look forward to raising a glass to them in person this April."

Canadian Screen Week will run from April 11 to 14 in Toronto, with the televised awards ceremony taking place on April 16, hosted by Samantha Bee. You can check out the full list of nominees here.