Daniel Bekerman, producer of ‘The Apprentice’, winner of Best Motion Picture, poses for a photo at the Canadian Screen Awards, June 01, 2025. The Canadian Press.
At Sunday’s Canadian Screen Awards in Toronto, the spotlight was firmly on homegrown talent and stories. Among the biggest winners was The Apprentice, a film tracing Donald Trump’s rise, which took home the prize for Best Motion Picture. Its lead producer, Daniel Bekerman, used his acceptance speech to confront Trump’s recent threats to Canadian sovereignty.
Bekerman explained that The Apprentice is a Canada-Ireland-Denmark collaboration, exploring how Trump began his real estate career under the guidance of the controversial Roy Cohn. On stage, Bekerman likened Trump’s current presidency to the early days shown in the film.
“Our movie shows how the young Donald Trump found rundown buildings and branded them with his name,” Bekerman said. “Now, as president, he’s trying to do the same with the economy — and even with Canada.”
He framed Trump’s aggressive posture toward Canada as a challenge worth facing. Bekerman also celebrated the rise of Indigenous and queer voices in Canadian cinema. He urged the independent film community to unite against powerful forces that try to silence diverse stories.
“When faced with those power structures, we can’t act alone,” he said. “It’s time to link arms, stand firm, and tell honest stories. That’s how we build trust in our country and thrive together.”
The awards ceremony capped off several days of celebrating Canadian film, television, and digital storytelling. It also included passionate calls to support domestic content amid ongoing U.S.-Canada political tensions.
Another film standout was Matthew Rankin’s Universal Language, which earned him Best Director. The absurdist dramedy added six awards to its tally, including Best Original Screenplay and Art Direction. Rankin spoke about what Canadian identity means in this political climate.
“We need to rethink what Canada means and what cinema can add to that,” he said. “Canada is a space that should always be evolving.” Rankin humorously noted that most Canadian films feel like “President’s Choice Hollywood movies.”
On television, Crave’s Canada’s Drag Race dominated the reality category, winning Best Reality Program and securing eight awards overall — the most of any show. Judge Brooke Lynn Hytes expressed gratitude to the cast and community for bringing queer stories to national TV.
“Thank you for sharing your stories and letting it all hang out,” Hytes said. “We’re honored to celebrate queer people in queer spaces.”
Citytv’s Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent led the drama nominations with 20 nods and won three awards, including Best Drama Series and Best Writing. Comedian Lisa Gilroy opened the show with witty jabs at celebrities and a call to toast Canadian talent.
“Canada has birthed global stars like Drake,” Gilroy quipped. She also poked fun at her own career in a playful exchange with actor Will Sasso. Meanwhile, Cate Blanchett won Best Lead Performance in Comedy for Rumours but was absent.
In comedy, CTV’s Children Ruin Everything continued its winning streak with four awards. Created by Ottawa’s Kurt Smeaton, the sitcom portrays a couple balancing parenthood and identity.
The Apprentice not only won Best Picture but also snagged awards for lead and supporting performances by Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong, respectively. The film had faced backlash from Trump’s team, which called it “election interference” and threatened legal action.
Bekerman recently told reporters that Trump’s threat to impose a 100% tariff on foreign films likely targeted The Apprentice. He dismissed the idea that the film posed a national security threat. Instead, Bekerman suggested it might be more of an “ego security threat” for Trump.
“This film isn’t a political attack,” Bekerman stressed. “It’s a human story about choices and their consequences.”
Sunday’s Canadian Screen Awards were a vivid reminder of the power of storytelling in shaping national identity and standing up to political challenges. The night celebrated the rich diversity and resilience of Canada’s creative community.
