The most poignant portion of the evening was when George Stroumboulopoulos came on stage to give a tribute to Sharkwater filmmaker Rob Stewart. He announced that starting in 2018, the award for Best Science or Nature Documentary Program or Series will be in Rob Stewart’s name and will — in addition — include a gift of $25,000 each year for the next five years.
Other special awards included the Earle Grey Award, which went to Tantoo Cardinal, and the Lifetime Achievement Award, given to Christopher Plummer, 87, who entertained the audience with a very funny speech.
The night’s top winners were It’s Only the End of the World with six wins followed by Race with four wins. Tatiana Maslany took home two trophies for her lead performances in television (Orphan Black) and film (The Other Half).
It seemed the nominees were told they had limited time from the moment their names were announced to get to the stage and give their speech, so several of the winners (including Tatiana) sprinted the route onto the stage, proving Canadians are a fit bunch. ~Alexandra Heilbron
Full List of Winners
FILM
Best Motion Picture: It’s Only the End of the World
Adapted Screenplay: Xavier Dolan – It’s Only the End of the World
Original Screenplay: Daniel MacIvor – Weirdos
Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: Stephan James – Race
Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: Vincent Cassel – It’s Only the End of the World
Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: Tatiana Maslany – The Other Half
Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: Molly Parker – Weirdos
Achievement in Art Direction/Production Design: Emmanuel Fréchette – Two Lovers and a Bear
Achievement in Cinematography: André Turpin – It’s Only the End of the World
Achievement in Costume Design: Patricia McNeil – Nelly
Achievement in Direction: Xavier Dolan – It’s Only the End of the World
Achievement in Editing: Richard Comeau – Two Lovers and a Bear
Achievement in Make-Up: It’s Only the End of the World
Achievement in Music – Original Score: Todor Kobakov, Steve London, David Braid – Born to be Blue
Ted Rogers Best Feature Length Documentary: I Am the Blues
Best Cinematography in a Feature Length Documentary: I Am the Blues
Best Editing in a Feature Length Documentary: Giants of Africa
Achievement in Music – Original Song: David Braid – Born to be Blue “Could Have Been”
Achievement in Overall Sound: Claude La Haye, Luc Boudrias, Pierre-Jules Audet, Patrick Rioux, Nicolas Dallaire – Race
Achievement in Sound Editing: Race
Achievement in Visual Effects: Race
Best Short Documentary: This River
Best Live Action Short Drama: Mutants
Best Animated Short: Blind Vaysha
TELEVISION
Best Dramatic Series: Orphan Black
Best Comedy Series: Letterkenny
Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role: Orphan Black – Tatiana Maslany
Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role: Schitt’s Creek – Catherine O’Hara
Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Comedic Role: Kim’s Convenience – Paul Sun-Hyung Lee
Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role: 19-2 – Adrian Holmes
Best Performance in a Variety or Sketch Comedy Program or Series: The Tragically Hip – A National Celebration – Gord Downie, Rob Baker, Johnny Fay, Paul Langlois, Gord Sinclair
Donald Brittain Award for Best Social/Political Documentary Program: Guantanamo’s Child: Omar Khadr
Best Sports Host in a Sports Program or Series: Rio 2016 – Scott Russell
Best Host in a Variety or Reality/Competition Program or Series: 2016 Canadian Screen Awards – Norm Macdonald
SPECIAL AWARDS
Golden Screen Award for TV Drama or Comedy: Murdoch Mysteries
Golden Screen Award for TV Reality Show: The Amazing Race Canada
Lifetime Achievement Award: Christopher Plummer
Earle Grey Award: Tantoo Cardinal
Cineplex Golden Screen Award for Feature Film: The 3 Little Pigs 2
Fan Choice Award: Natasha Negovanlis
Academy Icon Award: Just for Laughs
Best First Feature Award: Johnny Ma – Old Stone