Calgary-filmed Jann earns three screen award nominations
The Calgary shot and set comedy Jann has earned three Canadian Screen Award nominations, including one for best comedy series and best actress in a comedy series for star Jann Arden.
The comedy, which is based around a fictional version of Calgary-based singer Jann Arden, was one of CTV’S biggest new hits.
The series, which wrapped its second season earlier this year in Calgary, also landed a nomination for Rick Mercer for best guest performance in a comedy.
At the March 29 awards, Jann will face off against Kim’s Convenience, Letterkenny, Workin’ Moms and Schitt’s Creek, the CBC juggernaut that is up for a record-breaking 26 awards. Arden will be against Letterkenny’s Michelle Mylett, Annie Murphy and Catherine O’hara from Schitt’s Creek and Jean Yoon of Kim’s Convenience.
Calgary native Andrew Phung will be in the running for his third win in the best supporting actor category in a comedy series for his work on Kim’s Convenience. He won the trophy in 2017 and 2018.
His co-star, former Calgarian Paul Sun-hyung Lee, is up for his third nod for best actor in a comedy series. He also won in 2017 and 2018.
Other local talent recognized include director Matt Embry and producer Holly Dupej, whose 42-minute documentary Painkiller: Inside the Opioid Crisis is nominated for best web program or series in the non-fiction category. The Calgary-shot CBC Gem web series, Ming’s Dynasty, is up for best fictional web program or series. The comedy was co-created by Lethbridge native Antony Hall, actor-comedian Calwyn Shurgold and writer Julian De Zotti and loosely based on Hall’s experiences working at his family’s Chinese restaurant in Coaldale. De Zotti also earned a nod for best supporting performance in a web series for his role in Ming’s Dynasty.
Some Calgary expats are also up for some brass, including Jon Montgomery for best host or presenter, factual or reality/competition for his work on Amazing Race Canada. Drew and Jonathan Scott’s Property Brothers is up for best lifestyle program or series. The brothers, who began their home-improvement/reality show empire while students at the University of Calgary, are also up for best host in a lifestyle series.
Kid in the Hall star and former Calgarian Bruce Mcculloch is among the producers who received a nod for best sketch comedy show and ensemble performance for the CBC comedy series Tallboyz.
Emmy winner Semi Chellas’s debut film American Woman did not net the former Calgarian any nominations personally, but the film did get four nods for achievement in cinematography, hair, make-up and costume design.