Alumni from York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD), Osgoode Hall Law School, Schulich School of Business and the Faculty of Education have made a significant mark on the Canadian entertainment industry this year, taking home top honours at the Canadian Screen Awards.
From reality television and animated series, to award-winning documentaries, York alumni accepted a total of 19 awards, demonstrating their influential roles in the Canadian entertainment scene.
The Canadian Screen Awards are known for honouring contributions to Canadian media across film, television and digital media.
Leading the Television category, Vince Commisso (MBA ’92, BAS ’88, BA ’86) captured the award for Best Animated Program or Series for Wild Kratts, a show known for its educational content and engaging storytelling aimed at young audiences. Laura Michalchyshyn (MBA ’93) and Justin Stockman (BFA ’96) were both recognized for their work on Canada's Drag Race, winning the award for Best Reality/Competition Program or Series and highlighting their role in bringing vibrant reality television to Canadian screens.
In the talk show realm, The Social earned multiple awards, with Melissa Grelo (BA ’02, BEd ’02) and Cynthia Loyst (BFA ’98) both awarded for Best Host, Talk Show or Entertainment News.
Other notable alumni winners included Michael Emberley (BFA ’00), who received the award for Best Picture Editing in Reality/Competition for Big Brother Canada - Episode 18, and Tracy Galvin (BA ’85), who won Best Live Entertainment Special for her work on the 2024 JUNO Awards. Additionally, Allison Grace (BA ’94) took home the award for Best Lifestyle Program or Series for Mary Makes It Easy, while Amanda Parris (BA ’08) was recognized for Best Direction, Factual with For the Culture with Amanda Parris - Diaspora Wars.
Bryn Hughes (BA ’02) won Best Biography or Arts Documentary Program or Series for The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal, exemplifying the quality of storytelling coming from York alumni. Graeme Cornies (BFA ’06) was awarded for Best Original Music in Animation for PAW Patrol - Rescue Wheels: Pups Save Adventure Bay!, showcasing alumni talent in musical composition.
Stacey McGunnigle (BFA ’08), an alum of the BFA program, received two awards for her contributions to This Hour Has 22 Minutes, winning for Best Performance in Sketch Comedy and Best Writing in Variety or Sketch Comedy.
Richard Young (MBA ’03) was honoured for Best Writing in the Pre-School category with Dino Ranch - Sonny's T-Rex Turmoil, further showcasing the diverse range of content produced by York graduates. Additionally, Steve Denheyer (BA ’95) received recognition for Best Sports Opening for 2024 Copa America.
In the Film category, Michael Davison (BFA ’14) was recognized for Achievement in Visual Effects for Code 8: Part II, while David Schmidt (BFA ’11) took home the award for Best Editing in a Feature Length Documentary for Wilfred Buck.
The Digital Media category also saw standout performances from York alumni, with Andrew Nicholas McCann Smith (BA ’06) winning for Best Web Program or Series for Fiction, Stories from my Gay Grandparents. Wendy Litner (LLB ’06) was recognised for Best Writing in a Web Program or Series for My Dead Mom - Shana Tova, highlighting the creative and narrative talent within digital platforms.
With files from Alexandra Tucci