The event celebrates the incredible talent, creativity, and passion that are the trademarks of Nova Scotia’s screen industry. Notable awards include the ACTRA Awards for Outstanding Performances, the Film Crew Excellence Award, the Digital Animators of Nova Scotia Award, the Women in Film & Television Atlantic Award, and the Community Recognition Award, along with Screen Nova Scotia Awards for best television, film, and animation.
The gala was kicked off by actor/comedian Bette MacDonald, and presenters included producers, directors, crew members and actors, with musical accompaniment from the Bill Stevenson Trio.
The night’s finale was the Screen Nova Scotia Award for Best Feature Film, which went to the indie drama Splinters, from acclaimed director Thom Fitzgerald (produced by Emotion Pictures). The film — which explores interconnections of sexual identity and family, as a young woman reassesses her relationship with her mother following the death of her father — also garnered top prizes for its actors. Shelley Thompson was awarded the ACTRA Maritimes Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Female Role, and Bailey Maughan won Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Male Role.
The final season of CBC’s Mr. D was crowned the winner of the Best Television Series Award. Produced by Topsail Entertainment, Mr. D filmed for eight seasons in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Production on the series generated $126.5 million in economic activity and created over 1,400 jobs. Read more HEREabout the economic impact of the series.
“The Screen Nova Scotia Awards Gala has established itself as the elusive moment that the industry takes a break to celebrate how deeply imaginative and capable our community of film and television makers are,” said Laura Mackenzie, Executive Director, Screen Nova Scotia. “I hope that tonight’s award nominees and winners felt the genuine elation from the room, and I certainly couldn’t be more proud or grateful for the talent that will allow this show to go on for many more years to come.”
Kathryn MacLellan took home the award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Female Role for her role in the Nova Scotia/Newfoundland co-production Hopeless Romantic, while Jordan Poole won Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Male Role for his role as Luke, Toni Collette’s son, in the movie Birthmarked.
Peep Media’s Bernie Langille Wants to Know Who Killed Bernie Langille won the Best Short Film Award, with the film’s director Jackie Torrens also taking home the Best Director Award from Women in Film & Television – Atlantic. The Best Documentary Film Award went to The Social Shift, from Mirror Image Media and Common Good Solutions.
Paul Bronfman, Chairman/CEO, William F. White International Inc. received the inaugural Industry Champion Award in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the production services company setting up shop in Halifax, and their continued and unwavering support of the Nova Scotia screen industry.
Digital animation was also spotlighted at the awards, with Teletoon’s Spaceman and Robotron sweeping both categories. The series is produced by Connections Productions and animated by Cartoon Conrad.
Greens Master William Gerhardt (IATSE 849) won the 2019 Film Crew Excellence Award. Gerhardt was instrumental in transforming Yarmouth’s Cape Forchu into an island from the 1800s for Robert Eggers’ most recent feature film The Lighthouse — currently screening at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival — and has worked on multiple productions including The Mist, The Curse of Oak Island, and the Book of Negroes. The Community Recognition Award was presented to long-time industry supporter Bea Renton, Chief Administrative Officer, the Town of Lunenburg, for her tireless efforts to consistently ensure that Lunenburg is a welcoming community for film & TV production.
To view all the 2019 award nominees, click HERE.
THE FULL LIST OF AWARD WINNERS:
Screen Nova Scotia Awards:
Best Feature Film: Splinters (Emotion Pictures)
Best Television Series: Mr. D (Topsail Entertainment)
Best Documentary Film: The Social Shift (Mirror Image Media)
Best Short Film: Bernie Langille Wants To Know…Who Killed Bernie Langille (Peep Media)
Best Animated Series: Spaceman and Robotron (Connections Productions)
ACTRA Maritimes Awards:
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Female Role: Shelley Thompson (Splinters)
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Male Role: Bailey Maughan (Splinters)
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Female Role: Kathryn MacLellan (Hopeless Romantic)
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Male Role: Jordan Poole (Birthmarked)
WIFT-AT Award for Best Director: Jackie Torrens (Bernie Langille Wants To Know…Who Killed Bernie Langille)
Film Crew Excellence Award: William Gerhardt, Greens Master
Community Recognition Award: Bea Renton, Chief Administrative Officer, the Town of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
DANS Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Animation: Don Pinsent & Team, Spaceman and Robotron
Industry Champion Award: Paul Bronfman, Chairman/CEO, William F. White International Inc.
Screen Nova Scotia would like to thank our generous partners and sponsors: their support helps us to produce a world-class event that celebrates Nova Scotia’s media creativity. Special thanks to the NS Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage.