Indigenous filmmaker Banchi Hanuse’s documentary Aitamaako’tamisskapi Natosi: Before the Sun has won a top trophy at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Montana.

The 89-minute Telus original (pictured) — directed by Hanuse and produced by Carey Newman, Isabelle Pullen and Mike Wavrecan — won the juried Big Sky Award on Thursday (Feb. 23). The award is bestowed to a film “that artistically honours the character, history, tradition and imagination of the American West,” according to the festival website.

Aitamaako’tamisskapi Natosi: Before the Sun profiles a young Siksika Nation woman on Blackfoot Territory as she trains for a male-dominated, dangerous race where riders vault bareback from horse to horse. It makes its world premiere at the Big Sky festival on Saturday (Feb. 25).

Paul Sun-Hyung Lee nabs GGPAA honour

Canadian actor-writer-comedian Paul Sun-Hyung Lee is among the laureates of the 2023 Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards (GGPAA). The star of CBC’s Kim’s Convenience is receiving National Arts Centre Award, “which recognizes work of an extraordinary nature by an individual artist or company in the past performance year,” according to a news release.

Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively will be the honorary chairs of the 2023 GGPAA Gala National Committee. The 2023 laureates will be honoured at two events in Ottawa, culminating in the GGPAA gala at the National Arts Centre on May 27.

OUTtv orders more For the Love of DILFs

OUTtv has commissioned a second season of hit gay dating series For the Love of DILFs. The 10 x 60-minute second season of the OUTtv original, produced by U.S.-based Daddy TV, is set to go into production in Q2 2023 and launch in Q4.

Season one launched last month across all 12 territories where OUTtv’s services are available. Since its Jan. 31 debut, total viewed minutes and total unique views on OUTtv.com increased by more than 140%, according to a news release.

Season two will see the return of host Stormy Daniels and follow two groups of singles — “Daddies” and “Himbos” — as they compete in challenges and search for love on an island.

CAVCO amends tax credit guidelines

The Canadian Audio-Visual Certification Office (CAVCO) has updated the guidelines for the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit. The changes reflect previously announced amendments, including temporary extensions due the COVID-19 pandemic and the inclusion of stock footage costs. 

Other changes include the removal of the Canadian Content Certification Audit Program, as the program has been discontinued, clarifications in sections 1.06 and 1.01 on information on application submissions, and other administrative changes to “improve clarity and readability,” according to CAVCO.

Kenny vs. Spenny hits the road

The creators of Canadian cult reality series Kenny vs. Spenny are embarking on a 20th anniversary tour. Kenny Hotz and Spencer Rice kicked off what’s billed as their biggest live North American tour ever on Thursday (Feb. 23) in Ottawa.

They’re scheduled to journey to several cities in Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador, with more tour dates to follow.

Hotz and Rice squared off in various competitions on their series, which they executive produced. It ran for six seasons in the early 2000s on various networks, including CBC and Showcase in Canada. A news release suggests the comedy duo is open to a seventh season, noting “the pair have indicated a reluctant willingness to reboot the series and even reunited for a one-off CBC Gem special Paldemic.”

With files from Kelly Townsend

Image courtesy of Smayaykila Films