8 Canadian Screen Award-nominated shows you can watch on CBC Gem right now

The Canadian Screen Awards are almost here! The CSAs celebrate the best film, television and digital media talent in the country and there has never been a better time to celebrate Canadian creators. 

In total, CBC was honoured with 268 nominations (see the full list here). "This year's Canadian Screen Award nominations attest to the talent of our creators, journalists and production partners," says CBC president Marie-Philippe Bouchard. "Their work enlightens, entertains, and shows us who we are as Canadians. Congratulations to all the nominees!" 

The awards will be presented at industry events on Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31, culminating in the 2025 Canadian Screen Awards celebration streaming live in its entirety on CBC Gem on Sunday, June 1 at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT. 

But why not start watching now? These fantastic programs are streaming free on CBC Gem. Here's a selection to get you started on an all-Canadian binge. Have a favourite to suggest? Leave your pick in the comments.

Bones of Crows

12 Nominations including Best Drama Series, Best Direction, Best Writing and Best Lead Performer

Must-watch viewing, Bones of Crows is an epic story of resilience told through the eyes of Cree matriarch Aline Spears. Based on actual events, Aline and her descendants fight against a reign of terror targeted at Indigenous peoples in Canada, including starvation, sexual abuse and poverty as they support one another and struggle toward a brighter future.

The adult Aline Spears is played by Grace Dove who portrays the character from the ages of 16 to 70. When she saw the script, she knew she had to be part of it: "It's nothing like I ever read before."

"Bones of Crows is a soul-changing film. It's simply exquisite storytelling," says Liz Whittemore in a review for Reel News Daily. Both the 5-part series and the feature film are now available on CBC Gem.

Run the Burbs

12 Nominations including Best Lead Performer, Best Supporting Performer, Best Writing and Best Picture Editing

Created by comedian, writer and actor Andrew Phung and long-time collaborator Scott Townend, Run the Burbs follows the Phams, a young Vietnamese family determined to live life to the fullest in the burbs. 

In the starring role, Phung plays dad Andrew who, along with his wife and two children is the "cool" family on their cul-de-sac, known for throwing the best neighbourhood block parties. 

Run the Burbs celebrates young queer identity, intergenerational relationships and community in a heartwarming way. The series has already won numerous awards and found an audience south of the border on CW and Hulu.  

All three seasons are a delightful and low-stress binge. 

Zarqa

2 Nominations including Best Direction (Web Series) and Best Lead Program (Web Series)

Zarqa is a middle-aged Muslim divorcee looking to one-up her ex after finding out he's marrying a white yoga instructor half his age. Starring writer and producer Zarqa Mawaz (the creative force behind Little Mosque on the Prairie) she plays an imperfect character who blazes a trail of impulsivity. 

Zarqa's flaws only add to her appeal, making the series relatable and breaking new ground on how Muslim women are portrayed on the screen. "I think it's important for people to see us as 100 per cent human and have all these complexities of what it's like to feel these emotions," she told CBC News. 

Swan Song

5 Nominations including Best Direction, Best Writing (Documentary Series)

After years of pandemic delays, The National Ballet of Canada's Swan Lake finally debuted in front of Toronto audiences. Swan Song is a behind-the-scenes look at the ballet company — filmmakers took their cameras into rehearsals to capture the moments of pain, drama and fierce work ethic involved in bringing the iconic ballet to the stage.

This 4-part docuseries captures the challenges that ballet dancers face as they prepare to perform. Memorable moments include a dancer, who wore her smartwatch during rehearsal, discovering that she had just run five kilometres — on point! — in one short rehearsal. 

For an absorbing look at the sacrifices and the celebration of performing a world-class ballet, watch Swan Song now on CBC Gem.

Allegiance

8 Nominations including Best Drama Series, Best Lead Performer, Best Direction

Allegiance, a riveting police drama set in Surrey, B.C., stars Supinder Wraich as Sabrina Sohal, a rookie cop determined to make a difference in her community. 

Her life quickly becomes complicated when her father, a prominent politician, is arrested and accused of treason. She gets caught between her duty to her badge, her family and her allegiance to doing what is right.

As a strong, independent Sikh Punjabi, she's experienced racism firsthand.   "The interesting thing about where Sabrina sits is that she's seen a world a little bit from both sides, and she carries that perspective into the job," says Wraich in an interview with the CBC.

Her stellar work as a rookie earned her a promotion to the Serious Crimes Unit, where she has six months to prove that she's got what it takes to be a detective. 

Still Standing

3 Nominations including Best Direction, Best Writing, Best Host (Factual)

Here's Jonny! Fan-favourite actor and comedian Jonny Harris has visited 113 Canadian towns from coast to coast to coast over 10 seasons of the iconic CBC series Still Standing.

Each episode is a quirky, irreverent and always-affectionate adventure into small-town Canada and a celebration of the people who proudly choose to call these towns home. 

Still Standing showcases Canada's vast beauty and highlights our country's most unique and diverse characters. Ride shotgun with Jonny on the ultimate cross-country road trip.

Get Up, Aisha

3 Nominations including Best Web Program or Series, Best Direction (Web Program of Series)

Get Up, Aisha follows a Pakistani Canadian teen (played by Sana Asad, The Boys) and her attempt to gain more control over her life after a suicide attempt and diagnosis of depression. 

One of the show's goals is to help people feel like they're not alone says co-creator Rabiya Mansoor. "We all have that pressure of putting on a happy face, always trying to do well, making sure nobody knows that you're suffering," said Mansoor in an interview. "To showcase a South Asian girl like that was something we wanted to explore because it hasn't been seen on screen before." Supported by her psychiatrist (Ann Pornel) and a loving mom (Zarqa Nawaz), overachiever Aisha develops a checklist approach to curing the incurable while embarking on a journey of self-discovery. 

The Great Canadian Baking Show

5 Nominations including Best Writing, Best Editing, Best Casting (Lifestyle or Reality/Competition)

On your marks, get set, bake! Each season (there have been eight so far), The Great Canadian Baking Show brings 10 amateur bakers from across Canada to compete in a series of culinary challenges that celebrate their diverse backgrounds. 

Upbeat, wholesome and full of genuinely nice people, kindness permeates the tent. Bakers help each other, applaud successes and shed real tears after eliminations. Hosts Ann Pornel and Alan Shane Lewis, known for their colourful outfits and high energy, watch over the friendliest reality competition ever. 

A balm for the soul in the era of doomscrolling, all eight seasons of The Great Canadian Baking Show are now streaming on CBC Gem.

Want more? CBC Gem offers thousands of hours of Canadian drama, comedy, documentaries and more. There's something for everyone.