In an echo of last year's duel record-breaking performance by dramas The Porter and Brother , both BlackBerry and Little Bird shattered records at the final night of the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards. But while those first two titles both became the most ever awarded at the CSAs last year with 12 wins apiece, there was one clear winner on Friday. BlackBerry , the cellphone company-centred drama helmed by Toronto's Matt Johnson, took home three wins: with achievement in direction going to Johnson, performance in a comedy leading role to Jay Baruchel, and the film taking home the top prize of best motion picture.
BlackBerry had already collected 11 trophies at a gala last night that handed out the bulk of the film prizes, nabbing best adapted screenplay, best cinematography and best supporting comedy performer for U.S. actor Glenn Howerton.
Its combined total of 14 is above any other film or TV show in the awards' history — a sort of highly lauded validation of what industry insiders have called a much needed commercialization of Canada's flagging cinema industry. But before BlackBerry 's trio of awards were handed out, Little Bird — the Jennifer Podemski-created series about an Indigenous woman impacted by the Sixties Scoop — briefly held that same title. After entering the day's bash having already won 11 trophies (including best drama ensemble, best casting and best supporting drama performer for Braeden Clarke) it added two more wins on Friday.
It won both of the catego.
