Hello Destroyer, the debut feature from filmmaker Kevan Funk, was the big winner at this weekend’s Leo Awards, nabbing five prizes including best picture, best director and best screenwriting.
The film, which tells the story of a hockey player whose life is changed by a severe injury, also won the awards for best cinematography (Benjamin Loeb) and best male actor (Jared Abrahamson).
On the TV side, Vancouver-shot drama Rogue, produced by eOne and U.K. prodco Greenroom Entertainment, won the best series prize, while Steven A. Adelson took the prize for best direction in a dramatic series for his work on 12 Monkeys episode “Lullaby.”
Elsewhere in the TV categories, the award for best writing in a drama went to Rachel Langer for her work on This Life (CBC) episode “Well Fought, My Love,” while best picture editing went to Jane Morrison for her work on The Romeo Section (CBC) episode “Our Future World.”
Meanwhile, best lead female in a TV drama went to Kristin Lehman for her performance in B.C.-shot Motive, produced by Lark Productions and Foundation Features, and best male in a TV drama was awarded to Jonathan Scarfe for his role in Van Helsing.
Beatles’-themed cartoon Beat Bugs scooped up the best animation prize. Produced by Australia- and U.S.-based prodco Grace: A Storytelling Company, in partnership with Thunderbird-owned animation company Atomic Cartoons and Sydney-headquartered Beyond Screen Production, the series airs on Netflix internationally and was recently announced as part of the CBC’s 2017/18 programming slate.
Two Story Productions’ Scout & the Gumboot Kids (CBC) picked up the prize for best youth or children’s program or series.
On the factual side, Avenues Of Escape, produced by Vancouver prodco Flying Cloud Productions, was the big winner. The project claimed the prize for best feature-length documentary, with helmer Leon Lee also winning the doc category’s best direction and best screenwriting prizes for her work on the project.