The Canadian Screen Awards will soon only celebrate Canadian citizens and permanent residents, marking a historic change for the country’s top film and television honors. Organizers confirmed Wednesday that the new rules will take effect with the 2026 edition, reshaping who gets recognized at the star-studded gala.
This move ends years of eligibility for international actors and creators, refocusing the awards squarely on homegrown talent. It follows growing criticism over foreign stars dominating major categories, raising questions about the show’s Canadian identity.
Why the rule change was made
The decision comes after the 2024 ceremony spotlighted several international stars. Australia’s Cate Blanchett won best lead in a comedy film for Winnipeg director Guy Maddin’s “Rumours,” while U.S. actors Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong took best lead and supporting roles in the drama “The Apprentice,” a Canadian co-production.
Louis Calabro, the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television’s vice president of programming and awards, said members raised concerns that the awards had drifted away from their purpose of honoring Canadian storytelling.
“There were references to our mandate about celebrating the best in Canadian storytelling and members really made it clear that they thought maybe we should look at this rule,” said Calabro in an interview. “The membership is the heart and soul of the academy so we listened and made the change.”
Calabro noted that recent political and economic tensions with the United States, along with a surge in national pride, likely fueled the push to prioritize Canadian talent. He called the rule change a response to “where we find ourselves just politically” and said the message from members was simple: “It’s a Canadian awards show, it’s for Canadians, let’s make the change.”
Industry reaction to the decision
The move drew swift support from Canadian performers and industry groups. The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA), which represents Canadian performers, praised the shift as a “vital investment in Canada’s cultural future.”
Many in the industry believe the decision will create more opportunities for local artists who often struggle to get attention while competing with big international names on Canadian projects. Several producers have said the change could also encourage more Canadian-led productions by ensuring local talent receives top recognition.
Some critics, however, worry the change might reduce the international profile of the awards. The presence of global stars in recent years had attracted more media coverage, though many Canadian creators argued it came at the cost of sidelining homegrown talent.
Spotlight Awards to honor Canadians on global shows
Alongside the new citizenship rule, the academy announced four new categories called the Spotlight Awards. These will recognize Canadian directors, writers, performers, and producers working on international television series made and broadcast in Canada.
This means Canadian creatives who contribute to foreign shows filming in the country will finally have a path to Screen Awards recognition. Toronto currently hosts several international series, including new seasons of “Boston Blue,” “Tell Me Lies,” and “Interview With The Vampire.”
The Spotlight Awards aim to bridge a gap for Canadians who were previously excluded from the Screen Awards because they worked on international productions, despite contributing to the Canadian industry and economy.
Categories cut as part of streamlining effort
In addition to the new rules, the academy has removed several categories from the 2026 awards lineup. The cuts include:
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Best host for a live entertainment special
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Best variety or entertainment special
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Best performance in a sketch comedy (individual or ensemble)
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Best picture editing, animation
The category for best host of a talk show or entertainment news program has also been eliminated. Earlier this year, that award went to the panel of CTV’s chat show “The Social.” Future contenders from that field are encouraged to submit instead under best host of a lifestyle program or best host or interviewer, news or information program.
Calabro said the academy analyzed submission data to guide these cuts. “When submissions are consistently low year after year for certain categories, that’s when we start to look at the possibility of either removing the award or merging it with something else,” he explained.
The decision reflects how Canada’s entertainment landscape is shifting, with fewer sketch and talk shows and more emphasis on lifestyle, factual, and long-form scripted content.
Embracing digital creators with new prize
The academy is also adapting to new trends in entertainment by launching a creator of the year award. This prize will recognize a Canadian digital personality whose original work has made a major impact online, signaling the academy’s effort to embrace the rise of social media-driven content.
This addition marks a notable step for the Screen Awards, which have historically centered on film and television but are now looking to capture a wider spectrum of storytelling formats that engage audiences in the digital space.
What this means for the future of Canadian film and TV
The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards will mark the first ceremony under these sweeping new rules. Nominees are scheduled to be announced on March 25, 2026, and the show will be closely watched as a test of how audiences and the industry respond to its renewed focus on Canadian-only honorees.
This shift could reshape Canada’s entertainment industry by spotlighting local creators and strengthening the country’s cultural identity on the world stage.
Supporters hope it will inspire a new wave of Canadian-led projects, while skeptics will be watching to see if the awards can still attract international attention without foreign stars on the ballot.
As the country’s biggest awards show takes this bold turn, what do you think about the decision to honor only Canadians? Share your thoughts and join the conversation with your friends on social media.
