The Canadian Screen Award for Best Performance in a Drama Film is an annual award, presented by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television as part of the Canadian Screen Awards program, to honour the best leading performance in a drama film.
After the academy announced in August 2022 that it was discontinuing its former gendered awards for Best Actor and Best Actress,Joseph Pugh, "Canadian Screen Awards switching to gender-neutral performance categories". CBC News, August 25, 2022. they presented only a single award for Best Lead Performance in a Film at the 11th Canadian Screen Awards in 2023.Jenna Benchetrit, "Brother dominates with a dozen wins on third night of Canadian Screen Awards". CBC News, April 13, 2023. The organization subsequently decided to increase the number of acting awards again, with the new awards separated by genre of film instead of performer gender; beginning with the 12th Canadian Screen Awards in 2024, distinct awards will now be presented for Best Lead Performance in a Drama Film and Best Lead Performance in a Comedy Film."Rules and Regulation Change Highlights". Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, August 2023.
2020s Year Actor Film Ref 2023 12th Canadian Screen Awards Amrit Kaur The Queen of My Dreams Etan Vlessing, "‘BlackBerry,’ ‘Little Bird’ Dominate Canadian Screen Awards". The Hollywood Reporter, May 31, 2024. Ariane Castellanos Richelieu "BlackBerry Leads CSA Nominations". Northern Stars, March 6, 2024. Rayan Dieudonné Kanaval Juliette Gariépy Red Rooms (Les Chambres rouges) Mia Goth Infinity Pool Oyin Oladejo Orah Théodore Pellerin Solo Alexander Skarsgård Infinity Pool 2024 13th Canadian Screen Awards Sebastian Stan The Apprentice Debra Yeo, "Donald Trump film “The Apprentice” wins best motion picture at Canadian Screen Awards". Toronto Star, June 1, 2025. Oluniké Adeliyi Village Keeper Samritha Arunasalam, "Here's who is nominated for the 2025 Canadian Screen Awards". CBC News, March 26, 2025. Christine Beaulieu The Thawing of Ice (La fonte des glaces) Sean Dalton Skeet Chaïmaa Zineddine Elidrissi Gamma Rays (Les Rayons gammma) Britt Lower Darkest Miriam Carrie-Anne Moss Die Alone Oshim Ottawa Atikamekw Suns (Soleils Atikamekw) 2025 14th Canadian Screen Awards Grace Glowicki Honey Bunch Kayla McLean, "Heated Rivalry wins big at Canadian Screen Awards, taking top prizes for best dramatic actor and drama series". CBC News, May 31, 2026. Milya Corbeil Gauvreau Fanny Jackson Weaver, "North of North, Heated Rivalry, 40 Acres lead Canadian Screen Award nominees". CBC News, March 25, 2026. Jasmin Geljo Cat's Cry Marlene Jewell There, There Theresia Kappianaq Wrong Husband (Uiksaringitara) Nina Kiri Out Standing Michaela Kurimsky Sweet Angel Baby Noah Parker Who by Fire (Comme le feu)
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