In a glittering ceremony that perfectly captured Canada’s evolving cultural landscape, the 2025 Canadian Screen Awards delivered a fascinating mix of the political and the fabulous, crowning both the scathing Trump biopic The Apprentice and the exuberant Canada’s Drag Race as major winners.
The juxtaposition couldn’t be more striking—or more reflective of our current moment. As I watched the awards unfold at Toronto’s Meridian Hall last night, it became clear that Canadian audiences and industry professionals are increasingly drawn to content that either directly confronts political realities or offers spectacular escape from them.
The Apprentice, Ali Abbasi’s unflinching examination of Donald Trump’s rise in 1970s and 1980s New York, claimed the coveted best international feature film award. The film’s success north of the border speaks volumes about Canadians’ ongoing fascination with American political spectacle, even as we maintain our characteristic critical distance. The film’s portrayal of the former president’s early career resonated with viewers who recognize how yesterday’s business decisions shape today’s political realities.
Meanwhile, Canada’s Drag Race sashayed away with an impressive five trophies, including best reality competition program. The show’s triumph represents more than just recognition of its technical excellence or entertainment value—it signals mainstream acceptance of an art form that has journeyed from the margins to the center of our cultural conversation.
What makes this dual celebration particularly intriguing is how both winners, in their distinct ways, engage with themes of performance, authenticity, and power. The reality competition showcases performers embracing exaggerated personas to reveal deeper truths, while the political drama examines how a businessman crafted a public identity that would eventually reshape global politics.
The evening also highlighted Canadian television’s growing confidence, with CBC’s comedy Son of a Critch taking home awards for best comedy series and best writing. The show’s success demonstrates our appetite for stories that process our national identity through humor—finding universality in specifically Canadian experiences.
In the dramatic television categories, CTV’s medical drama Transplant continued its winning streak with the award for best drama series. The show, which follows a Syrian refugee doctor rebuilding his career in Canada, touches on themes of immigration, professional reinvention, and cultural adaptation that resonate deeply in our increasingly diverse society.
What struck me throughout the ceremony was the remarkable diversity on display—not just in terms of the faces on stage, but in the stories being told and perspectives being centered. This reflects a significant shift in our cultural landscape, where previously marginalized voices are increasingly finding platforms and recognition.
The Canadian Screen Awards have evolved dramatically since their inception, much like the industry they celebrate. This year’s ceremony felt particularly forward-looking, celebrating work that pushes boundaries while still honoring traditional storytelling excellence.
As we look at these winners collectively, a pattern emerges: Canadian audiences are drawn to content that helps us process complex social and political realities, whether through direct examination or creative transformation. The success of both a political drama and a drag competition suggests we’re comfortable with contradiction—seeking both engagement with challenging realities and joyful escape from them.
This duality speaks to a cultural moment where entertainment isn’t merely diversion but a vital space for working through collective anxieties and celebrating newfound freedoms. As social trends shift and evolve, our award ceremonies become fascinating barometers of what matters to us as a society.
The question now becomes: what will next year’s winners tell us about ourselves? Will political drama continue to dominate, reflecting our anxieties about democracy’s future? Or will celebratory, inclusive entertainment take center stage as we seek connection in divisive times? Perhaps the most Canadian answer is that we’ll continue to embrace both—analyzing our world critically while finding joy in its endless possibilities.
What’s certain is that the 2025 Canadian Screen Awards have captured a moment where our cultural appetites are as diverse and complex as the country itself—equally hungry for political insight and spectacular performance, for critical examination and joyful celebration. In that sense, the awards have never been more relevant or more reflective of who we are becoming as a nation.
