Canadian content continues to earn prestigious international acclaim and turn all the right heads. That’s right, Canadian talent and projects scored two wins at the 5th annual MIPCOM Diversify TV Excellence Awards, as well as a coveted prize at the 4th CANNESERIES festival. Both hybrid events took place in Cannes, France, this October, and MIPCOM’s digital extension continues online through November 30, 2021.
Your CANNESERIES recap:
A free television festival, CANNESERIES ran from October 8 to 13. This year’s festival selection included 10 nominated short format series, 10 nominated drama series, and four projects out of competition.
Dior Revelation Prize:
Actor Malik Gervais-Aubourg, in Eric Piccoli’s I Would Like to be Erased (Je voudrais qu’on m’efface)
At age 14, Malik Gervais-Aubourg has been honoured for his performance as Eddy in the eight-episode Canadian series based on Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette’s novel and set in Montreal’s St-Michel neighbourhood. The acclaimed short-form series recently scored four Gémeaux Awards (including best digital series), not to mention nabbing best web series at the Rendez-Vous Québec Cinéma. If you’re located in Canada, watch it on ICI TOU.TV.
Your MIPCOM Diversify TV Excellence Awards recap:
The MIPCOM Diversify TV Excellence Awards are all about celebrating diversity and inclusivity, and honouring television from across the globe that leads the way towards such inclusion. Along with the Canada Media Fund and the Black Screen Office, Telefilm Canada was a Presenter Partner of this year’s awards. Actors Mouna Traoré, Schelby Jean-Baptiste and Sarah-Maxine Racicot presented on behalf of Telefilm Canada.
LGBTQIA+ Unscripted category:
Shine True (produced by VICE Studios, broadcast by OutTV and Fuse Media)
This eight-episode series “celebrates the trans and gender non-conforming community by helping them overcome dysphoria and anxiety, and getting them to a place where they can freely and finally present the way they feel.” Hosts are Richie Shazam and Lucas Silveira.
Kids Preschool category:
16 Hudson (produced by Big Bad Boo Studios, broadcast by TVOKids)
From Chinese New Year to Diwali, Persian New Year, and more, the kids in this animated series celebrate diversity among this happy group of multicultural neighbours and friends, and their fun together. The series’ other awards include a pair of 2021 Leos for Best Youth/Children’s Series and Best Screenwriting. (Fun fact: Big Bad Boo Studios are no stranger to the Diversify TV Excellence Awards, in 2019, their series The Bravest Knight took home a prize in the Kids Programming category! Revisit our spotlight article, here.)
