The Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Canada announces that acclaimed author Rachel Reid will take the stage for an exclusive feature interview and to be honoured with the Changemaker Award at the 2026 Summit & Awards Gala, taking place May 28, 2026 at the Ritz-Carlton Toronto.
Reid, best known as the New York Times bestselling author of the widely celebrated Heated Rivalry and its follow-ups, has emerged as one of Canada’s most influential contemporary storytellers. Her work has garnered a devoted global readership and critical acclaim for its emotionally resonant, character-driven narratives — placing LGBTQ+ relationships at the center with nuance, authenticity, and depth. In doing so, Reid has helped expand both the scope and the audience for inclusive storytelling in a meaningful and lasting way.
The screen adaptation of Heated Rivalry has quickly become a defining moment for the Canadian industry, signaling a powerful shift in the kinds of stories being championed at scale. Its success underscores the global appetite for bold, distinctive IP and highlights the growing impact of Canadian creators in shaping internationally relevant content. Reid’s work stands at the forefront of this evolution, bridging literature and screen in a way that is both culturally significant and commercially resonant.
Reid will participate in a main stage conversation at the event, offering insight into her creative journey, the evolution of her work, and the broader implications of storytelling in today’s media landscape.
That evening, Reid will be presented with the Changemaker Award, recognizing an individual whose impact extends beyond their work, inspiring meaningful change across the industry. By championing new perspectives, elevating underrepresented voices, and pushing boundaries through storytelling, Reid has helped to shape a more dynamic and forward-looking entertainment landscape.
The Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Canada is a first-of-its-kind summit and awards event that brings the Canadian industry together across film, television, and music to celebrate and recognize the achievements of women who are driving the industry forward in their respective fields.
Previously announced honourees include Andrea Martin who will receive the ICON Award, Malin Akerman who will receive the Impact Award to be presented byThe Hunting Wives co-star, Brittany Snow, and North of North co-creators Alethea Arnaquq-Baril and Stacey Aglok MacDonald who will receive the Breakthrough Award at the May 28 gala. Additional honourees and speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
For tickets and more information, including schedule and programming details, visit womeninentertainment.ca.
The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (the Canadian Academy) announced today the nominees for the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards, recognizing excellence across 146 categories in film, television, and digital media. The 14th annual awards will be presented over four days in Toronto during Canadian Screen Week 2026. The celebrations will culminate in The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards, hosted by Andrew Phung, broadcasting and streaming on Sunday, May 31 at 8:00 PM (9:00 AT, 9:30 NT) on CBC, CBC Gem, Crave, CTV, Global, and STACKTV.
Television series North of North tops both television and overall nominations with 20, including Best Comedy Series, presented by Lionsgate Canada; Best Ensemble Performance, Comedy; and Anna Lambe for Best Lead Performer, Comedy. Heated Rivalry scores 18 nominations, including Best Drama Series, presented by Blink49 Studios, followed by Small Achievable Goals with 12.
In film, 40 Acres leads nominations with 10, including Best Motion Picture; and nods for R.T. Thorne for both Achievement in Direction and the John Dunning Best First Feature Film Award. Following with eight nominations are Follies | Folichonneries, Honey Bunch, and Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, while Blue Heron and Mile End Kicks both receive seven.
Settle Down earns the most digital media nominations with nine, including Alexander Nunez for Best Lead Performance, Web Program or Series; followed by 18 to 35 with five; and Coming Home, Cows Come Home, and Dying Seconds with four each.
“Canada’s creative community has experienced an extraordinary year, with bold storytelling and world-class talent capturing attention at home and around the globe,” said Tammy Frick, CEO of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. “The momentum we’re seeing across film, television, and digital media speaks to the power of our industry, and we’re proud to celebrate the innovation and diverse voices that carry Canada’s screen sector to new heights.”
The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards also features the debut of the Spotlight Award categories, which are presented to eligible Canadians working on non-Canadian certified television series. Wayward leads the inaugural Spotlight Award nominations with seven, including the Spotlight Award for Best Series. The Way Home received four nominations, followed by Jane with three.
For a complete list of 2026 Canadian Screen Award nominees, please visit academy.ca/nominees.
Winners will be unveiled during Canadian Screen Week 2026, taking place from Wednesday, May 27 to Sunday, May 31 at the CBC Broadcast Centre in Toronto. Over the course of six award presentations, nominees and winners will be recognized alongside this year’s Special Award recipients, leading up to the finale: The 2026 Canadian Screen Awards. Hosted by Andrew Phung, the ceremony will be broadcast and streamed on Sunday, May 31 at 8:00 PM ET on CBC, CBC Gem, Crave, CTV, Global, and STACKTV. For a full listing of 2026 Canadian Screen Awards and programming, visit CanadianScreenWeek.ca.
Nominees for the Canadian Screen Awards are chosen by voting members of the Canadian Academy and by nominating juries, conducted virtually with representatives from the film, television, and digital media industries. The membership will now cast their votes between Thursday, March 26, 2026 and Monday, April 13, 2026 to determine the winners. For information on how to become a member, visit academy.ca/members.
Tickets for the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards are now on sale. Canadian Screen Award nominees and guests can book their tickets online at academy.ca/boxoffice.
About the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television
The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is the largest non-profit professional arts organization in Canada with a membership of more than 3,500 emerging and established English and Francophone industry professionals. Founded in 1979, the Canadian Academy is dedicated to recognizing, celebrating, and advocating for Canadian talent in the film, television, and digital media sectors while remaining committed to nurturing all levels of talent through professional development, networking opportunities, and guidance that contribute to industry growth, inclusion, and mentorship. The Canadian Academy annually produces the Canadian Screen Awards, bringing together the screen-based industries to honour and celebrate the country’s top talent in Canadian film, digital media, and English-language television, as well as the Gémeaux Awards, which recognize the best in French-language television and digital media productions in Canada.
The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television proudly acknowledges the support of its Leading Media Partner, CBC; Premier Partner, Telefilm Canada; Platinum Partner, Bell Media; and its Lead Partners, Netflix, the Canada Media Fund, Cineplex, and the Cogeco Fund.
For information on membership and programming visit academy.ca.
Accent Aigu Entertainment today announced a new partnership with Province of Canada, a Canadian-owned and operated apparel company, to produce the now-iconic fleece jacket from the Crave Original series Heated Rivalry.
First seen on screen in episode two as part of the team Canada uniform worn by Shane Hollander, the fleece jacket quickly became one of the character’s most recognizable looks, sparking widespread enthusiasm across social media and prompting countless direct requests from fans eager to own a piece of Heated Rivalry history.
The jacket will be produced and distributed out of Canada by Province of Canada, known for its commitment to quality craftsmanship and responsible manufacturing.
In addition to meeting overwhelming fan demand, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to giving back. Ten percent (10%) of all proceeds from the fleece jacket’s sales will be donated to a charitable organization, to be announced at a later date.
“Fans are the heart of Heated Rivalry, and this is entirely because of them,” said executive producers and co-presidents of Accent Aigu Entertainment, Jacob Tierney & Brendan Brady. “We’ve listened closely to what they’ve been asking for, and the fleece jacket has been at the top of that list. We’re so excited to partner with Province of Canada. As a Canadian-based, independent apparel brand that does amazing work sourcing and manufacturing high-quality clothing, we share a common ethos. We look forward to bringing it to life with the creativity and care fans expect, while also supporting a meaningful cause.”
“We’re incredibly honoured to partner with the Heated Rivalry team to bring this fleece to life here in Canada,” said Julie Brown and Jeremy Watt, Co-Founders of Province of Canada. “Producing the fleece in Canada was a shared priority, and a key part of making this piece feel meaningful and true to the story behind it.”
Additional details regarding pricing, availability and release date will be shared soon. Sign up at provinceofcanada.com/heatedrivalry to be among the first to know when the jacket is available for pre-order or purchase.
Follow the official Heated Rivalry Instagram account and heatedrivalry.com, as well as Province of Canada’s Instagram for updates.
ABOUT ACCENT AIGU ENTERTAINMENT
Founded in 2023 by writer, director, and producer Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady, Accent Aigu Entertainment is a next-generation Canadian production company focused on developing and producing premium scripted content for global audiences. Jacob and Brendan bring a wealth of experience from the Canadian film and television landscape. Prior to launching Accent Aigu, the duo spent four years collaborating on more than 40 episodes of the acclaimed series Letterkenny and its spinoff, Shoresy. Accent Aigu Entertainment is the natural evolution of that collaboration. Visit accent-aigu.ca for more information. Accent Aigu Entertainment is repped by CAA . Their attorney is Jayme Alter of Dentons Canada LLP.
ABOUT PROVINCE OF CANADA
Province of Canada is a Toronto-based clothing brand that manufactures all their products in Canada and is focused on thoughtful design, quality materials, and products that celebrate Canadian culture in a modern way. Built on a mix of nostalgia, sport, and everyday essentials, the brand creates pieces that feel familiar and purposeful — designed to be worn often and kept for a long time.
ABOUT HEATED RIVALRY
Created by award-winning Canadian writer, director, and producer Jacob Tierney (Letterkenny, Shoresy), Heated Rivalry is the epic story of hockey’s steamiest secret between two of the sport’s biggest stars, Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), whose rivalry is matched only by their magnetic pull toward each other. What starts as a secret fling between two rookies turns into a years-long journey of love, denial, and self-discovery. Heated Rivalry is produced by Accent Aigu Entertainment in association with Crave (Bell Media).
The 83rd Golden.Globe Awards took place last night in Beverly Hills, California and leading the way were Paul Thomas Anderson’s ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER in the Film categories, and ADOLESCENCE in the TV categories. Each took home four trophies, including Motion Picture Comedy or Musical, and Limited Television Series, respectively.
Funnywoman Nikki Glaser hosted the evening again this year, drawing big laughs with her unfiltered yet thoughtfully-crafted humour. Canadians shone bright with Seth Rogen winning for Actor in a Television Series Comedy with The Studio, and Writer/Director Maggie Kang winning Animated Feature with global smash KPop Demon Hunters. Meanwhile the stars of Canadian production Heated Rivalry, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, continue to be Hollywood’s new “It Boys”, being the center of attention this past weekend on the party circuit. The pair presented to Adolescence‘s Erin Doherty on the broadcast.
Quick Recap:
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Full list of winners and nominees below:
Film categories
Best film – drama
WINNER: Hamnet
Frankenstein
It Was Just an Accident
The Secret Agent
Sentimental Value
Sinners
Best film – musical or comedy
WINNER: One Battle After Another
Blue Moon
Bugonia
Marty Supreme
No Other Choice
Nouvelle Vague
Best non-English language film
WINNER: The Secret Agent
It Was Just an Accident
No Other Choice
Sentimental Value
Sirât
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Best animated film
WINNER: KPop Demon Hunters
Arco
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle
Elio
Little Amélie or the Character of Rain
Zootopia 2
Best actress – drama
WINNER: Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
Jennifer Lawrence – Die, My Love
Renate Reinsve – Sentimental Value
Julia Roberts – After the Hunt
Tessa Thompson – Hedda
Eva Victor – Sorry, Baby
Best actor – drama
Wagner Moura – The Secret Agent
Joel Edgerton – Train Dreams
Oscar Isaac – Frankenstein
Dwayne Johnson – The Smashing Machine
Michael B Jordan – Sinners
Jeremy Allen White – Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere
Best actress – musical or comedy
WINNER: Rose Byrne (pictured) – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
Cynthia Erivo – Wicked: For Good
Kate Hudson – Song Sung Blue
Chase Infiniti – One Battle After Another
Amanda Seyfried – The Testament of Ann Lee
Emma Stone – Bugonia
Best actor – musical or comedy
WINNER: Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme
George Clooney – Jay Kelly
Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another
Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon
Lee Byung-Hun – No Other Choice
Jesse Plemons – Bugonia
Best supporting actress
WINNER: Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another
Emily Blunt – The Smashing Machine
Elle Fanning – Sentimental Value
Ariana Grande – Wicked: For Good
Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas – Sentimental Value
Amy Madigan – Weapons
Best supporting actor
WINNER: Stellan Skarsgård – Sentimental Value
Benicio Del Toro – One Battle After Another
Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein
Paul Mescal – Hamnet
Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
Adam Sandler – Jay Kelly
Cinematic and box office achievement
WINNER: Sinners
Avatar: Fire and Ash
F1
KPop Demon Hunters
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Weapons
Wicked: For Good
Zootopia 2
Best director
WINNER: Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another
Ryan Coogler – Sinners
Guillermo del Toro – Frankenstein
Jafar Panahi – It Was Just an Accident
Joachim Trier – Sentimental Value
Chloe Zhao – Hamnet
Best screenplay
WINNER: Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another
Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie – Marty Supreme
Ryan Coogler – Sinners
Jafar Panahi – It Was Just an Accident
Eskil Vogt, Joachim Trier – Sentimental Value
Chloé Zhao, Maggie O’Farrell – Hamnet
Best original song
WINNER: Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo, Park Hong Jun, Kim Eun-jae (EJAE), Mark Sonnenblick – KPop Demon Hunters; Golden
Miley Cyrus, Andrew Wyatt, Mark Ronson, Simon Franglen – Avatar: Fire and Ash; Dream as One
Raphael Saadiq, Ludwig Göransson – Sinners; I Lied to You
Stephen Schwartz – Wicked: For Good; No Place Like Home
Stephen Schwartz – Wicked: For Good; The Girl in the Bubble
Nick Cave, Bryce Dessner – Train Dreams; Train Dreams
Best original score
WINNER: Ludwig Göransson – Sinners
Alexandre Desplat – Frankenstein
Jonny Greenwood – One Battle After Another
Kanding Ray – Sirāt
Max Richter – Hamnet
Hans Zimmer – F1
TV categories
Best series – drama
WINNER: The Pitt
The Diplomat
Pluribus
Severance
Slow Horses
The White Lotus
Best series – comedy or musical
WINNER: The Studio
Abbott Elementary
The Bear
Hacks
Nobody Wants This
Only Murders in the Building
Best limited series
WINNER: Adolescence
All Her Fault
The Beast In Me
Black Mirror
Dying for Sex
The Girlfriend
Best actress – drama
WINNER: Rhea Seehorn – Pluribus
Kathy Bates – Matlock
Britt Lower – Severance
Helen Mirren – Mobland
Bella Ramsey – The Last of Us
Keri Russell – The Diplomat
WINNER: Noah Wyle – The Pitt
Sterling K Brown – Paradise
Diego Luna – Andor
Gary Oldman – Slow Horses
Mark Ruffalo – Task
Adam Scott – Severance
Best actress – comedy or musical
WINNER: Jean Smart – Hacks
Kristen Bell – Nobody Wants This
Ayo Edebiri – The Bear
Selena Gomez – Only Murders in the Building
Natasha Lyonne – Poker Face
Jenna Ortega – Wednesday
Best actor – comedy or musical
WINNER: Seth Rogen – The Studio
Adam Brody – Nobody Wants This
Steve Martin – Only Murders in the Building
Glen Powell – Chad Powers
Martin Short – Only Murders in the Building
Jeremy Allen White – The Bear
Best actress – limited series
WINNER: Michelle Williams – Dying for Sex
Claire Danes – The Beast in Me
Rashida Jones – Black Mirror
Amanda Seyfried – Long Bright River
Sarah Snook – All Her Fault
Robin Wright – The Girlfriend
Best actor – limited series
WINNER: Stephen Graham – Adolescence
Jacob Elordi – The Narrow Road to the Deep North
Paul Giamatti – Black Mirror
Charlie Hunnam – Monster: The Ed Gein Story
Jude Law – Black Rabbit
Matthew Rhys – The Beast in Me
Best supporting actress – limited series
WINNER: Erin Doherty – Adolescence
Carrie Coon – The White Lotus
Hannah Einbinder – Hacks
Catherine O’Hara – The Studio
Parker Posey – The White Lotus
Aimee-Lou Wood – The White Lotus
Best supporting actor (television)
WINNER: Owen Cooper – Adolescence
Billy Crudup – The Morning Show
Walton Goggins – The White Lotus
Jason Isaacs – The White Lotus
Tramell Tillman – Severance
Ashley Walters – Adolescence
Best stand-up comedy performance
WINNER: Ricky Gervais – Mortality
Bill Maher – Is Anyone Else Seeing This?
Brett Goldstein – The Second Best Night of Your Life
Kevin Hart – Acting My Age
Kumail Nanjiani – Night Thoughts
Sarah Silverman – Sarah Silverman: PostMortem
Best podcast
WINNER: Good Hang with Amy Poehler
Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
Call Her Daddy
The Mel Robbins Podcast
SmartLess
Up First from NPR
The Academy Awards are set to take place March 15, 2026, capping-off Awards Season.
(Photo/video credit: Getty/Mr. Will Wong)
Based on Rachel Reid‘s wildly-popular GAME CHANGERS books, anticipation is great for upcoming Crave Original series HEATED RIVALRY. Above this, it has just been announced that HBO Max also has picked-up the Series, giving it exponential potential now that it has such a wide audience.
The Series centers on two rising stars in Hockey, Shane (Hudson Williams) and Ilya (Connor Storrie) who duke it out on the rink, before realizing their attraction to one another. This leads to a secret affair that spans several years, set against a backdrop of stigma where being outed might affect their careers adversely.
A Toronto Premiere was held at TIFF Lightbox last night with the Creators, including Reid and Series Director Jacob Tierney, plus the Cast in-attendance. Having seen the first episode of the Series, get ready for things to get real spicy! It isn’t every day a Canadian series has the opportunity this big, so we are expecting big things ahead.
Catch our chats with the Cast and Creators, including:
@mrwillwong I don't think you're ready for HEATED RIVALRY! This show is spicy!! Based on Rachel Reid's popular GAME CHANGERS books, this series centers on two rival hockey players secretly in love, while duking it out on the rink. Chemisty off the charts!! HEATES RIVALRY arrives 11.28.25 on Crave, and has just been picked-up by HBO Max! #heatedrivalry #gamechangers #heatedrivalryseries ♬ Heal – Deza
HEATED RIVALRY arrives November 28, 2025 on both HBO Max and Crave.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Production is now underway on the Crave Original Series Heated Rivalry from Accent Aigu Entertainment, as announced today. The highly anticipated series is based on Rachel Reid’s best-selling cult classic novel, and written and directed by the award-winning Jacob Tierney (Letterkenny, Shoresy, The Trotsky). The six-episode series has been filming throughout the Spring in Toronto, Hamilton, Guelph and Muskoka in Ontario.
The production brings together a dynamic ensemble of emerging and established actors including, François Arnaud (Twinless, Fucktoys, The Borgias), Robbie G.K. (Utopia Falls), Sophie Nélisse (Yellowjackets), Dylan Walsh (The Highest Stakes, Nip/Tuck), Christina Chang (The Good Doctor, Unstable), and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova (Robyn Hood, The Boys) and it introduces Hudson Williams (Tracker, Allegiance) and Connor Storrie (Joker: Folie à Deux, Riley) in the lead roles of Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov.
Created by Tierney, Heated Rivalry tells the epic story of hockey’s steamiest secret — from a tangled, confusing connection to an undeniable, all-consuming bond — culminating in a powerful love story. Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov are two of the biggest stars in Major League Hockey, bound by ambition, rivalry and a magnetic pull neither of them fully understands. What begins as a secret fling between two confused teenagers at 17 evolves into a years-long journey of love, denial, and self-discovery. Over the next eight years, as they chase glory on the ice, they struggle to navigate their feelings off of it. Torn between the sport they live for and the love they can’t ignore, Shane and Ilya must decide if there’s room in their fiercely competitive world for something as fragile—and powerful—as real love.
“Heated Rivalry had me hooked from the very first chapter. At its core, it’s a beautiful love story with characters who feel real and so deeply human. Hudson and Connor are bringing Shane and Ilya to life with all the heart, heat, and chemistry that made the book such a fan obsession. This series is exactly what we had in mind when we started Accent Agui – bold, resonant storytelling with global reach. We’re beyond excited to bring it to the screen,” said Jacob Tierney.
“We at Accent Aigu Entertainment, along with our entire team and partners, couldn’t be more excited to bring Rachel Reid’s beloved Game Changer series to life. From the get-go, Bell Media and Crave have shared our passion for bringing this spicy, unforgettable story to the screen. Fans of the book will be thrilled by our phenomenal cast and the chemistry they bring to portraying some of the romance genre’s most endearing characters. This story is more than just enemies to lovers — it’s a joyful, queer adult romance set against one of the most gladiatorial sports there is,” said Brendan Brady, Accent Aigu Entertainment.
Heated Rivalry is executive produced by Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady, with Rachel Reid serving as a consulting producer. Bell Media is handling international distribution rights.
Key creative roles include Jackson Parrell (North of North, Anne with an E) as Director of Photography; Aidan Leroux (Orphan Black: Echoes, Ginny & Georgia) as Production Designer; Hanna Puley (BlackBerry, Brother) as Costume Designer; and Polaris Music Prize nominee Peter Peter as Composer. Editing is led by Arthur Tarnowski (The Sticky, Deadfall) and Veronique Barbe (Big Little Lies, Sharp Objects).
For Bell Media: Rachel Goldstein-Couto is Head of Development; Alison Korogyi is Senior Production Executive; Adam Feigen is Scripted Development Executive; Sarah Fowlie is Head of Production; and Carlyn Kebluc is General Manager. Justin Stockman is Vice President, Content Development & Programming.
Talent representation includes: Hudson Williams by RED Management; Connor Storrie by Sovereign Talent Group and Marina Masowietsky; François Arnaud by IAG and Anonymous Content; Robbie G.K. by The Talent House; Sophie Nélisse by CAA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners; Dylan Walsh by IAG and Bob McGowan; Christina Chang by Strand Entertainment; Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova by Hero Artists and Brave Artists Management; and Jacob Tierney by CAA, 3 Arts and GGA. Accent Aigu Entertainment represented by CAA and Jayme Alter (Dentons LLC).
Financing for the production provided by Bell Media, with the financial participation of the Canada Media Fund and the Bell Fund.
ABOUT ACCENT AIGU ENTERTAINMENT
Founded in 2023 by writer, director, and producer Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady, Accent Aigu Entertainment is a next-generation Canadian production company focused on developing and producing premium scripted content for global audiences. Jacob and Brendan bring a wealth of experience from the Canadian film and television landscape. Prior to launching Accent Aigu, the duo spent four years collaborating on over forty episodes of the acclaimed series Letterkenny and its spinoff, Shoresy. Through freezing winter shoots and sun-drenched summer productions, they discovered a powerful creative chemistry and a shared professional ethos. Accent Aigu Entertainment is the natural evolution of that partnership. Visit accent-aigu.ca for more information.
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com