Geneva Film’s Chateau Laurier emerged as the most-awarded digital series in the 2023 Web Series World Cup (WSWC), which tracks the awards performance of hundreds of short-form series on the festival circuit.

The Canadian drama received widespread acclaim from festival juries worldwide, earning more than 200 awards in various categories. Notable accolades include Best Drama at TO WebFest; Best International Series and Best Supporting Actor for Emmanuel Kobango at NYC WebFest; and Best Director for James Stewart and Best Actress for Kate Ross Leckie at NZ WebFest.

The series also won the 2023 Canadian Screen Award for Best Writing in a Digital Series – Fiction, credited to Emily Weedon and Kent Staines.

Chateau Laurier, described as a lush serialized drama reminiscent of Downton Abbey, features a cast including Ross Leckie, Staines, Luke Humphrey, Fiona Reid, and Fraser Elsdon.

The 2023 WSWC marked the ninth edition of the event, with 18 festivals in 10 countries participating. Canada has become the most-awarded country in the competition’s history, after securing its first WSWC trophy in 2021 with CBC Gem’s The Communist’s Daughter (LoCo Motion Pictures).

A number of other Canadian short-form series were in the top 10 this year, including Tokens (No. 4), Less Than Kosher (No. 6), Illuminagents (No. 7) and OUTtv’s Drag Heals (No. 9).

Stewart, the creator, director and producer of Chateau Laurier, credited the audience love of period dramas to the volume of award wins, in a statement to Playback Daily.

“I am so thrilled that the show has found success worldwide,” he said. “It has clearly resonated with an international audience; winning awards for all the lead cast and every craft category including writing, directing, editing, cinematography, production design, sound design, costume design, hair and makeup has been rewarding for the incredible artists that brought their magic to this show.”

Image courtesy of Geneva Film