The Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) has revealed the nominees for this year’s Indiescreen Awards, and British Columbia’s independent producers are making a strong showing. With the addition of a brand-new category honouring Canadian TV producers, the 2025 edition is shaping up to be the most diverse celebration of production talent yet.
In the Feature Film Producer category, Vancouver’s own Merit Jensen-Carr of Merit Motion Pictures has earned a nomination for EVEREST DARK. Presented in partnership with Telefilm Canada, this award honours a producer’s career achievements and comes with a $20,000 prize. For Jensen-Carr, whose company has built a reputation for compelling, high-quality storytelling, the recognition is a testament to years of dedication to the craft.
The new TV Producer Indiescreen Award, presented alongside the Canada Media Fund, also has B.C. representation. Frantic Films, led by CEO and executive producer Jamie Brown, has been nominated for the hit series “Still Standing”. Although known nationally, Frantic has deep roots in Vancouver’s production community, blending homegrown expertise with national reach.
B.C.’s presence continues in the Kevin Tierney Emerging Producer category, which highlights up-and-coming producers poised to make a major impact. Lauren Corber of Vancouver-based LoCo Motion Pictures is nominated for her short-form series “My Dead Mom”, while Leena Minifie of Stories First Productions is recognized for the feature film THE GOOD CANADIAN.
Winners will be announced on September 4, during the 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, at a ceremony hosted at The Sutton Place Hotel. Whether it’s a career-spanning body of work, a hit television series, or a breakout debut, this year’s B.C. nominees reflect the province’s incredible depth of talent and its ability to inspire audiences across Canada and beyond.
