R.T. Thorne’s post-apocalyptic thriller ’40 Acres’ dominates Day 1 of Canadian Screen Awards

TORONTO – R.T. Thorne’s post-apocalyptic thriller “40 Acres” dominated the first day of the Canadian Screen Awards, winning nine statuettes on Thursday night.

The film, which centres on a Black-Indigenous farming family fighting off a marauding group of cannibals in a famine-stricken future, took home the prize for best original screenplay and best directing.

Its haul also included a best first feature win for Thorne, as well as awards for achievement in cinematography, art direction, sound editing, music, stunt co-ordination and casting. 

The Canadian Screen Awards are being handed out at a series of galas this week, culminating in a televised ceremony featuring the marquee awards, which will be simulcast on several TV stations and streaming services on Sunday night.

At Thursday’s event, when most of the cinematic arts awards were handed out, the freewheeling comedy “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie” won four prizes, including best performance in a supporting role in a comedy for Matt Johnson, who also directed and co-wrote the film. 

The film, which follows two bandmates who will do anything — even invent a time machine — to land a gig at the Toronto venue the Rivoli, also picked up prizes for achievement in visual effects, sound mixing and best original song for “The Alphabet Song.”

Meanwhile, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers won for best performance in a supporting role in a drama for “Sweet Angel Baby.”

“The Girl Who Cried Pearls,” a stop-motion fable set in early 20th century Montreal, won best animated short. That’s the same prize filmmakers Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski picked up at the Oscars in March.

“Endless Cookie,” an animated exploration of the relationship between two half-brothers, won for best feature-length documentary.

Earlier in the day, at a ceremony for children’s and animated programming, Crave’s show “Super Team Canada,” executive produced by Will Arnett and featuring his voice as a former hockey player turned crime fighter, won best animated program.

The Toronto-born star picked up the prize for best voice performance.

TVO’s live-action comedy “Odd Squad” won best children’s program, and Asha Soetan took home best lead performer. The show follows kids as they join forces to solve problems using math. 

CBC’s “The Unstoppable Jenny Garcia,” about a teen hip-hop dancer with leukemia, also won two awards including best supporting performer for Vancouver-born Josette Jorge and best writing in a children’s program for author-screenwriter Catherine Hernandez.

Toronto-born Katie Boland won best direction on a children’s program for an episode of CBC’s detective series “Macy Murdoch,” a time-travelling spin off of “Murdoch Mysteries.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 28, 2026.