Rolling Out the Red (and White) Carpet at Canada’s House

TELEFILM CANADA, THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF CANADA IN LOS ANGELES AND THE NATIONAL FILM BOARD OF CANADA CELEBRATE THIS YEAR’S EXCEPTIONAL CANADIAN OSCAR® NOMINEES

Los Angeles, CA – After another incredibly successful year for Canadian creatives, the Consul General of Canada in Los Angeles, Zaib Shaikh and his wife Kirstine Stewart will once again open the doors of Canada’s House in LA for this year’s Canadian Oscar nominees. Co-hosted by Telefilm Canada, and in collaboration with the National Film Board of Canada and the Talent Fund, Canada’s 2024 Oscars Celebration will take place during Oscar week on Thursday, March 7, 2024. This year’s honourees include some of the country’s most creative, innovative and ground-breaking talent. Several of the nominees will be in attendance alongside industry leaders, entertainment media, and established and emerging filmmakers and actors.

“Each year, Canadians in the film industry continue to demonstrate their exceptional cultural and creative talents while contributing significantly to the economic vitality of our nation,” said Zaib Shaikh, Consul General of Canada in Los Angeles. “It’s a privilege to witness their achievements on both sides of the camera and, once again, recognize and applaud them. As we come together to celebrate their success, we also celebrate the rich diversity inherent in Canadian storytelling. It’s evident that the stories Canadian talents tell, lead or participate in resonate with global audiences, touching hearts and minds with their exploration of universal truths, commitment to inclusivity, and portrayal of human resilience. Congratulations to all the nominees we’ll be honouring.”

This year’s Canadian Oscar nominees include: Ryan Gosling for Best Supporting Actor(Barbie), Celine Song for Best Original Screenplay (Past Lives), Nisha Pahuja, Cornelia Principe, and David Oppenheim for Best Documentary Feature (To Kill a Tiger), Vincent René-Lortie and Samuel Caron for Best Live Action Short (Invincible), Ben Proudfoot for Best Documentary Short (The Last Repair Shop), Troy Quane and Julie Zackary for Best Animated Feature Film (Nimona), Stephane Ceretti (Guardians of the Galaxy 3) and Jeff Sutherland (Mission Impossible) for Best Visual Effects, and the late Robbie Robertson for Best Original Score (Killers of the Flower Moon).

“The diverse array of nominations truly reflects the boundless creativity and excellence of Canadian talent, proving once again that our talent knows no bounds,” said Julie Roy, Executive Director and CEO of Telefilm Canada. “From Celine Song’s heartfelt debut to Ryan Gosling’s compelling performance, the animated magic of Troy Quane and Julie Zackary, and the stunning visual effects of Stephane Ceretti and Jeff Sutherland, to the captivating live action short by Vincent René-Lortie and Samuel Caron. Our documentary prowess shines with Nisha Pahuja, Cornelia Principe, and David Oppenheim’s To Kill a Tiger, along with Ben Proudfoot’s poignant The Last Repair Shop. The late Robbie Robertson’s musical craftsmanship elevates the art of cinema. It is with great pride that we celebrate the cinematic brilliance of Canadians at this year’s Oscars.”

“Congratulations to Nisha Pahuja and her team—and all of Canada’s Academy Award Nominees,” said Suzanne Guèvremont, Government Film Commissioner and NFB Chairperson. “We’re proud to have worked with Nisha Pahuja as co-producer of To Kill a Tiger. The National Film Board of Canada is passionate about providing filmmakers a unique creative environment where they can take risks and create exceptional works—and about sharing that richness with audiences across Canada and around the world.”

Canada’s House in LA welcomes Telefilm and the Talent Fund’s sponsoring partners, The Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Canada and Sheridan College, to celebrate Canadian talent in Los Angeles.

The 2024 Academy Awards^® will be televised on March 10, 2024.

About Zaib Shaikh

Zaib Shaikh began his mandate as Consul General of Canada in Los Angeles in December 2018. He is the Government of Canada’s senior representative in Southern California, Arizona and Nevada.He comes to the posting after an extensive career in the media and entertainment industries, having worked as an actor and producer in theatre, film and television. His work includes acting roles in Deepa Mehta’s film Midnight’s Children, as well as starring in the CBC comedy series Little Mosque on the Prairie, which has been seen in more than 80 countries. Mr. Shaikh co‐produced the special Long Story Short: CBC Turns 75 and co‐wrote, directed and coproduced the film Othello: The Tragedy of the Moor. He also co-founded and served as an artistic producer of the Whistler Theatre Project in British Columbia. From 2014 until his appointment in 2018, Mr. Shaikh was the Film Commissioner and Director of Entertainment Industries for the City of Toronto. In that role, he oversaw and grew the city’s screen, music, live festival, sporting event and tourism sectors, helping to double the value of film production in Canada’s largest city, which surpassed $2 billion in 2016. Mr. Shaikh has served as a board member for the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion and, most recently on the board of AFC (formerly the Actors Fund of Canada). He has served on juries and committees for the Gemini Awards, ACTRA Awards, Ontario Arts Council, and Theatre Ontario Youth Program as well as an ambassador for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and for Amnesty International Canada. Mr. Shaikh is married to Ms. Kirstine Stewart. They have two children.

About Telefilm Canada

As a Partner of Choice, Telefilm Canada is a Crown corporation dedicated to the success of Canada’s audiovisual industry, fostering access and excellence by delivering programs that support cultural resonance and audience engagement. With a lens of equity, inclusivity and sustainability, Telefilm bolsters dynamic companies and a range of creative talent at home and around the world. Telefilm also makes recommendations regarding the certification of audiovisual coproduction treaties to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, and administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Launched in 2012, the Talent Fund raises private donations which principally support emerging talent. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on X (Twitter) at twitter.com/Telefilm_Canada and on Facebook at facebook.com/telefilmcanada.

About the National Film Board of Canada

Founded in 1939, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is a one-of-a-kind producer, co-producer and distributor of distinctive, engaging, relevant and innovative documentary and animated films. As a talent incubator, it is one of the world’s leading creative centres. The NFB has enabled Canadians to tell and hear each other’s stories for over eight decades, and its films are a reliable and accessible educational resource. The NFB is also recognized around the world for its expertise in preservation and conservation, and for its rich and vibrant collection of works, which form a pillar of Canada’s cultural heritage. To date, the NFB has produced more than 14,000 works, 6,500 of which can be streamed free of charge at nfb.ca. The NFB and its productions and co-productions have earned over 7,000 awards, including 11 Oscars and an Honorary Academy Award for overall excellence in cinema.

About the Talent Fund

The Talent Fund is a national donation initiative dedicated to the impact and longevity of first-time filmmakers’ careers from across Canada. Igniting career paths in cinema, the Talent Fund invests in emerging talent and provides support to build their professional portfolios, fosters community and knowledge-sharing through professional mentorship, and prioritizes emerging creators from historically underrepresented communities. Funds raised are invested in Telefilm Canada’s Talent to Watch program – a career accelerator and launchpad – which helps the next generation of storytellers contribute to a thriving Canadian film industry. Since 2012, the Fund has supported 198 film projects, brought to life by more than 400 emerging artists (writers, producers, and directors) and has financed films that have earned over 200 awards worldwide. Individual donors, family foundations, corporations and sponsors invest in the Talent Fund as they believe in the power of storytelling through film, and the impact this program has on the careers of emerging artists. To learn more about the Talent Fund or to make a donation, visit thetalentfund.ca.

Consulate General of Canada to the United States in Los Angeles
https://www.international.gc.ca
X (Twitter): @CanCGLA
Facebook: @CanadainLosAngeles
Instagram: @cancgla

Media Relations:

Touchwood PR
press@touchwoodpr.com

Andréa Grau
andrea@touchwoodpr.com
416-347-6749

Alma Parvizian
alma@touchwoodpr.com
416-830-8171

Laila Rashwan
lailajennifer@touchwoodpr.com
416-301-4866

-30-