Applause!
Ian Hanlin, June B. Wilde, Cardi Wong, Jess McLeod, Chris Webb, Gerald Paetz, Sarah Chalke, Gabrielle Rose, Matt Mylrea. Photo: Steph Schumann
Congratulations to the 2023 UBCP/ACTRA Award Winners
The 2023 UBCP/ACTRA Awards celebrated 12 years of highlighting exceptional contributions in the entertainment industry on November 25 at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver.
Actor and comedian Kwasi Thomas hosted the ceremony where awards were presented in 8 performance categories: Cardi Wong won the Best Lead Performance, Motion Picture for Golden Delicious, Sarah Chalke won Best Lead Performance, Series, for her performance in Firefly Lane – Heart Shaped Box. The Best Supporting Performance, Motion Picture went to June B. Wilde for Blood and Gabrielle Rose won Best Supporting Performance, Series, for The Night Agent – Eyes Only. The Best Performance, Made for Television Movie award went to Greyston Holt in House of Chains and Best Short Performance went to Jess McLeod in A Little Vacation. The Best Voice Performance award went to Ian Hanlin for his role in The Guava Juice Show – DoomsRoi Device and Mike Mitchell, Matt Mylrea, Gerald Paetz and Chris Webb won in the Best Stunt Performance category for their work in The Night Agent – The Call. The Lorena Gale Woman of Distinction Award was presented to Susan Hogan for her work as a performer and for her accomplishments in the industry.
Kevin Lewis honoured with 2023
ACTRA Newfoundland Award of Excellence
Kevin Lewis was honoured on September 15 with the 2023 ACTRA Newfoundland Award of Excellence at a special event hosted by ACTRA Newfoundland/Labrador for Canadian performers and special guests.
Kevin’s career spans over 30 years, including with appearances in The Boys of St. Vincent (1992) – his performance would end up on the cutting room floor due to a change in storyline – Misery Harbour (1999); Random Passage (2002); Heyday! (2006); Grown Up Movie Star (2009), and a number of NIFCO Shorts such as Kelly Davis’ Down to The Wood. He was one of the first people that Allan Hawco had in mind for the pilot of Republic of Doyle and was cast as Superintendent Conroy in the final series. His first leading role in a series was that of Samuel Crocker in Kenneth Harvey’s dark comedy, The Slattery Street Crockers. He would later go on to play the much less complex and more innocent title character of Bucky in Harvey’s series of the same name.
Past recipients of this prestigious award include Andy Jones, Mary Walsh, Chris Brookes, Paul O’Neill, Greg Malone, Cathy Jones and Bob Joy.
Jennifer Podemski honoured with 2023
August Schellenberg Award
Jennifer Podemski has been honoured with the 2023 August Schellenberg Award. Her on-screen credits include The Rez, Degrassi: TNG, Blackstone, Departure and Reservation Dogs. Behind-the-camera Jennifer has been at the helm of TV series including The Seventh Generation, Rabbit Fall, The Other Side, Moccasin Flats, Future History and most recently Little Bird.
In 2023, Jennifer Podemski was also presented with the Creative Voice Award at the 2023 Banff World Media Festival Rockie Awards. (Click here to read her Q&A in this issue of ACTRA Magazine.)
Past recipients of the “Augie” include Tantoo Cardinal, Tom Jackson, Tina Keeper, Michael Greyeyes, Michelle Thrush, Lorne Cardinal, Dr. Shirley Cheechoo and Gary Farmer. The annual August Schellenberg Award of Excellence is supported by ACTRA National, a generous donation from Joan Karasevich Schellenberg and individual donors. imaginenative.org
Congratulations to Alberta’s Rosie Award Winners
The Alberta Film & Television Awards, fondly known as the Rosies, celebrate excellence and outstanding achievement of Alberta-based productions and film workers who reside in Alberta. Patricia Darbasie won the award for Best Performance by an Alberta Actor for her role in Team Bride. In the Best Stunt Performer category, Kelsey Andries picked up the Award for The Last of Us “Look for the Light”. The Rosies are presented by the Alberta Media Production Industries Association (AMPIA) in partnership with the Calgary International Film Festival. AMPIA
2023 Legacy Awards
ACTRA members Jully Black and Tonya Williams honoured with 2023 Legacy Awards. Photos: George Pimentel
Platinum-selling artist Jully Black was presented with the Icon Award at the 2023 Legacy Awards in recognition of her music, unforgettable live performances, stamina, lasting popularity, allyship and the impact she has made internationally.
Reelworld founder Tonya Williams was presented with the Visionary Award at the 2023 Legacy Awards in recognition of her exceptional leadership, contagious tenacity, innovation, activism and fierce dedication to uplifting communities of colour. Also in 2023 William was presented with the EXNW Global Connector Award in Vancouver at the 2023 East by Northwest (EXNW).
The Legacy Awards is executive produced by ACTRA members Shamier Anderson and Stephan James, founders of The Black Academy. Hosted by Keshia Chanté, the 2023 Legacy Awards can be viewed on CBC Gem.
Donald Sutherland honoured by Canada Post
To commemorate “the career of one of Canada’s most respected and versatile actors,” Donald Sutherland appears on a new stamp issued by Canada Post.
Sutherland has appeared in nearly 200 feature films and television programs over seven decades.
He is a proud Canadian and starred in many Canadian productions, including the TV movie Bethune in 1977 and in 1990 the feature film Bethune: The Making of a Hero, playing legendary Canadian Dr. Norman Bethune in both. Photo courtesy of Canada Post.
Tom Jackson honoured by the Red Cross
ACTRA member, actor, recording artist, author, philanthropist and activist Tom Jackson received the Canadian Red Cross’s highest honour, the Order of the Red Cross, in recognition of his outstanding humanitarian service.
As an Ambassador for the Red Cross, he helped with the organizations relief efforts during the 2013 floods, the Fort McMurray wildfire, the Humboldt bus crash and the COVID-19 pandemic. Said Jackson upon receiving the honour, “The whole world where we live right now is filled with crisis and that’s our backdrop – water, wind and fire. Our backdrop is conflict, but in front of that is compassion.”
The Order of the Red Cross is awarded in recognition of outstanding humanitarian service at home and abroad. Over the past 39 years, 400 people have been appointed to the Order of the Red Cross.
Robert Clinton honoured by ACTRA Alberta
An ACTRA member for 45 years, ACTRA Alberta presented Robert Clinton with the Life Membership Award. Front row: Faith Louissaint, Davina Stewart, Tina Alford, Samara Von Rad, Darron Ta, Pardeep Sooch; Back: Anna Primiani, Dana Andersen, Don Ast, Sharon Killey, Gordon Gordey, James DeFelice, Deanna Clee, Chris Moore, Louis-Charles Trempe, Robert Clinton, Stephanie Chabeniuk, Linda Huffman, Francis Damberger.
Maria del Mar to receive
ACTRA Toronto 2024 Award of Excellence
Maria del Mar will be presented with ACTRA Toronto’s 2024 Award of Excellence at the 22nd ACTRA Awards in Toronto. Maria’s credits in Canada and south of the border include Murdoch Mysteries, 24, Frasier, Blue Murder, Street Legal, E.N.G., Hannibal, Slasher, Star Trek: Discovery, Rosie’s Rules and LEGO® DreamZzz – Trials of the Dream Chasers. Throughout her career, Maria has been recognized for her work, winning both the Outstanding Performance – Female ACTRA Award for her lead role in the Canadian television mini-series Terminal City and the Canadian Comedy Award for her lead role in the Canadian feature film, A Touch of Grey. She received a Gemini Award Nomination for her role in Blue Murder (Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role) and has been an ensemble member of several Gemini Award-winning series. An ACTRA member for almost 30 years, Maria was elected to ACTRA Toronto Council four times, chaired the ACTRA Toronto Awards Committee for five years, and served on ACTRA National Council.
