The Canada Council for the Arts is pleased to announce the 2024 winners of the Governor General’s Literary Awards (GGBooks). These prestigious awards celebrate remarkable literary works published in Canada, in both official languages, across seven categories, and include books for readers of all ages.

“Each of this year’s Governor General’s Literary Awards winning books offers readers a fresh and unique journey through storytelling. The 2024 GGBooks are remarkable for how they capture the essence of today’s world, inviting us to reflect and engage deeply. The works are being celebrated not only for their brilliance on the page but also for the lasting impact they will have on literature and future generations of readers.”

— Michelle Chawla, Director and CEO, Canada Council for the Arts

The 14 winning books were chosen by the same 14 peer assessment committees that were convened to select the 35 English-language and 35 French-language finalists announced several weeks ago. This year’s peer assessment committees followed a rigorous process in their deliberations and selection of the winners from among the 1,529 nominated books (978 in English and 551 in French) published in Canada in 2023–24.

About the GGBooks

Founded in 1936, the Governor General’s Literary Awards are some of the oldest and most prestigious literary prizes in Canada, with a total annual prize value of $450,000.

The Canada Council for the Arts has funded, administered and promoted these awards since 1959.
Finalists are selected by category-specific, language-based peer assessment committees (seven in English and seven in French). This year, the committees considered eligible books published between August 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.

The writers, translators and illustrators whose books are selected as the winner in a given category receive a $25,000 prize. Publishers receive $3,000 to promote the winning book; finalists receive $1,000 each.
English-language winners for 2024 (seven categories)

Fiction
Empty Spaces – Jordan Abel (Edmonton, Alberta), McClelland & Stewart (Penguin Random House Canada)

Poetry
Scientific Marvel – Chimwemwe Undi (Winnipeg, Manitoba), House of Anansi Press

Drama
There Is Violence and There Is Righteous Violence and There Is Death, or the Born-Again Crow – Caleigh Crow (Calgary, Alberta), Playwrights Canada Press

Non-fiction
Wînipêk: Visions of Canada from an Indigenous Centre – Niigaan Sinclair (Winnipeg, Manitoba), McClelland & Stewart (Penguin Random House Canada)

Young People’s Literature – Text
Crash Landing – Li Charmaine Anne (New Westminster, British Columbia), Annick Press

Young People’s Literature – Illustrated Books
Skating Wild on an Inland Sea – Jean E. Pendziwol (Thunder Bay, Ontario) and Todd Stewart (Montréal, Quebec), Groundwood Books (House of Anansi)

Translation (from French to English)
Nights Too Short to Dance – Katia Grubisic (Montréal, Quebec), Second Story Press; a translation of Un cœur habité de mille voix, by Marie-Claire Blais

French-language winners for 2024 (seven categories)

Fiction
Lait cru – Steve Poutré (Saint-Mathias-sur-Richelieu, Quebec) Éditions Alto

Poetry
poème dégénéré – névé dumas (La Pêche, Quebec), L’Oie de Cravan

Drama
Wollstonecraft – Sarah Berthiaume (Montréal, Quebec), Éditions de Ta Mère

Non-fiction
Hors jeu : Chronique culturelle et féministe sur l’industrie du sport professionnel – Florence-Agathe Dubé-Moreau (Montréal, Quebec), Éditions du remue-ménage

Young People’s Literature – Text
Une bulle en dehors du temps – Stéfani Meunier (Montréal, Quebec), Leméac Éditeur

Young People’s Literature – Illustrated Books
Le premier arbre de Noël – Ovila Fontaine (Maliotenam, Quebec) et Charlotte Parent (Bécancour, Quebec), Éditions La Pastèque

Translation (from English to French)
Ristigouche: Le long cours de la rivière sauvage – Éric Fontaine (Montréal, Quebec), Éditions du Boréal; a translation of Restigouche: The Long Run of the Wild River

Makeup of the 2024 English-language peer assessment committees
Fiction: Chris Eaton, Francesca Ekwuyasi and Jen Ferguson
Poetry: Kathryn Mockler, Heather Nolan and Tolu Oloruntoba
Drama: Kevin Kerr, Marcia Johnson and Kamila Sediego
Non-fiction: Jordan Abel, Robyn Maynard and Mary Soderstrom
Young People’s Literature – Text: Sarah Everett, Louisa Onomé and Ken Setterington
Young People’s Literature – Illustrated Books: Kyrsten Brooker, Shauntay Grant and Kevin Sylvester
Translation (from French to English): Peter Feldstein, Jessica Moore and Anne-Marie Wheeler
Makeup of the 2024 French-language peer assessment committees
Fiction: Michael Delisle, Andrée Michaud and Maya Ombasic
Poetry: Bathélemy Bolivar, Virginie Chaloux-Gendron and Daria Colonna
Drama: Madeleine Blais-Dahlem, Antoine Côté Legault and Anne-Marie Olivier
Non-fiction: Marie-Andrée Lamontagne, Pierrot Ross-Tremblay and Anne-Marie Saint-Cerny
Young People’s Literature – Text: Mario Brassard, Christine Sioui Wawanoloath and Élise Turcotte
Young People’s Literature – Illustrated Books: Clément de Gaulejac, Diane Obomsawin and Isabelle Picard
Translation (from English to French): Jeannot Clair, Danielle LeBlanc and Nésida Loyer

Toronto got a huge treat last night with Swiss Director Tim Fehlbaum returning to the City to present his acclaimed SEPTEMBER 5, which debuted at Venice with tons of awards buzz. We saw the Film finally and wow! 10 out of 10!

Centering on the hostage crisis that took place at the 1972 Munich Olympics, the story explores the challenges the ABC broadcasting team faced pivoting quickly from sports to groundbreaking live news coverage after 11 Israelis were taken hostage. Peter Sarsgaard and John Magaro lead this brilliant ensemble with some superb performances in this thought-provoking film that challenges how we consume Media and how news is reported.

See the Trailer here.

Some highlights from the evening which included a Reception, introduction and Q&A with Fehlbaum and TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey:

Fehlbaum is obsessed with the way Canadians pronounce “about” after listening to hours of Peter Jennings recordings!

Paramount Pictures Canada release SEPTEMBER 5 on December 13, 2025 (select cities) and expands January 17, 2025.

(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures)

Netflix have announced that beloved Reality Series QUEER EYE returns for a ninth season December 11, 2024! We now get a new Trailer!

Some additional details.

QUEER EYE S9
Series Premiere Date: December 11
Format: 8 x45 minute episodes
Synopsis: Nine time’s the charm! This season, Queer Eye brings its transformative magic to the iconic city of Las Vegas, where the Fab Five, now joined by interior designer Jeremiah Brent, meet a fresh group of individuals ready for a life-changing experience. From a former showgirl struggling to regain her confidence to a dedicated librarian in need of a change, watch as the Fab Five light up Sin City and transform the lives of their heroes in spectacular Vegas style.
Executive Producers: David Collins, Michael Williams, Rob Eric, Jennifer Lane, Jordana Hochman, Mark Bracero, Lyndsey Burr, Karamo Brown, Tan France, Antoni Porowski, Jonathan Van Ness, Jeremiah Brent

It’s a show SO bright, it uses 25 pots of glitter!  ‘Twas the Night Before… by Cirque du Soleil, presented in partnership with TO Live, is a festive flurry of high-flying acrobatics, loveable characters, upbeat holiday soundtracks to sing along, and surprises that will keep audiences of all ages mesmerized under the holiday spell.  Inspired by the classic poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore, Cirque du Soleil has reimaged the story to be about a jaded young girl who rediscovers the magic of Christmas.

The Canadian premiere of ‘Twas the Night Before…is a spirited and heartwarming show that has something for everyone in the family to enjoy; and makes for the perfect holiday gift experience.  Tickets are selling fast for the limited run from December 12^th to January 3^rd at Meridian Hall in downtown Toronto. 

To purchase tickets and for showtimes and venue information, visit www.tolive.com/twas-the-night-before.  

Unwrap These Fun Facts:

-TWAS features 40+ songs including Christmas hits and 29 original songs

-Diverse cast of 26 artists hailing from 14 countries 

–52 different costumes were made by hand with more than 2,000 sequins per costume

–25 pots of glitter and 60 cans of coloured hairspray are used for hair and makeup

-Hotel carts, bicycles, roller skates, aerial straps, hoops, bouncing beds – and even snowballs as large as 3ft in diameter are some of the props used in the showstopping acts

TO Live and Cirque du Soleil present
‘Twas the Night Before… by Cirque du Soleil
December 12, 2024 – January 3, 2025
Meridian Hall, 1 Front Street East, Toronto
 
Tickets: $58.50-$143.50 (plus applicable fees). Prices subject to change.
 
Tickets are available online at http://tolive.com, by phone at 416-366-7723 and 1-800-708-6754, and in person at the Meridian Hall box office, Monday to Friday, 1 pm to 6 pm.
 
TO Live box office phone and email support operates 1 pm to 6 pm Monday to Friday.
Online sales operate 24 hours a day.
 

See Moon at the top of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in a new clip from Disney Branded Television’s “An Almost Christmas Story.” Directed by David Lowery and produced by five-time Academy Award® winner Alfonso Cuarón, this animated short is the third and final installment in Cuarón’s holiday shorts collection for Disney+. It is available beginning Friday, November 15, 2024 on Disney+.

Inspired by the true events of a tiny owl rescued from the New York City’s Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in 2020, the new clip features Moon, a curious young owl who unexpectedly finds himself stuck in a Christmas tree destined for Rockefeller Plaza. He befriends a lost little girl named Luna and together they embark on a heartwarming adventure to find their way back home.

Cuarón’s first short of the holiday collection “Le Pupille,” earned an Oscar® nomination in 2022, and last year’s “The Shepherd” was shortlisted, both in the Live Action Short Film category.

Produced by Disney Branded Television and Cuarón’s Esperanto Filmoj, in association with Titmouse and Maere Studios, and with animation services by 88 Pictures, the celebrated creative team includes Lowery (director, screenplay and producer), Cuarón (producer and story), Gabriela Rodríguez (producer), Jack Thorne (story and screenplay), Nicholas Ashe Bateman (creative design supervisor) and Daniel Hart (composer).

Six new “Bluey Minisodes” will be premiering on December 9, 2024 on Disney+. This third batch of “Bluey Minisodes” rounds out the collection of 20 and will feature Bluey’s dreamhouse, a robot Bingo, and a sweet story with Bluey and Honey.

Additional details below:

-Six new “Bluey Minisodes” will begin streaming Monday, December 9 on Disney+ at 12:00 a.m. PST / 3:00 a.m. EST, and will roll out on Disney Jr., Disney Channel and Disney Jr. On Demand throughout the week.
-“Bluey Minisodes” are a series of one-to three-minute funny and sweet moments featuring Bluey and Bingo. The first batch was released on July 3 followed by the second batch on October 7. The stories lean into playful interactions and games that further explore the characters and world of “Bluey.”

The six new “Bluey Minisodes” premiering on December 9 include:
-“Strong Potion” – Bingo has taken a magic strength potion, so she can lift Dad about with ease.
-“Robo Bingo” – Mum attempts to get Robo Bingo to clean its teeth with very specific instructions.
-“Butlers” – In Bluey’s dreamhouse, Monty onboards a new butler. He takes him through the house that Jerry Lee has designed to help the ladies of the manor live a life of complete ease.
-“Where’s Bingo?” – Dad just can’t find Bingo anywhere and no one can help, but it turns out she’s just been on his shoulders the whole time.
-“Goldilocks” – A retelling of Goldilocks and the three bears from the bears’ point of view.
“Alongside” – Bluey and Honey go about their separate days until luck brings them together momentarily. A short story about the power of friendship.
-“Bluey Minisodes” is written by “Bluey” creator Joe Brumm and produced by Ludo Studio.

The series follows Bluey, a lovable and inexhaustible blue heeler dog who lives with her Mum, Dad and little sister, Bingo.

“Bluey” is produced by the multiple Emmy® Award-winning Ludo Studio for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and BBC Studios Kids & Family, the series airs and streams to Canadian and global audiences (outside of Australia, New Zealand and China) across Disney Channel, Disney Jr. and Disney+ through a global broadcasting deal between BBC Studios Kids & Family and Disney Branded Television.

Spoil your loved ones this holiday season with the NEW Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 Portable Smart Laser Projector (MSRP: $1,299.99 CAD) – a gift the whole family can enjoy. Get ready for a truly epic viewing experience with a screen size reaching up to 150”, full HD HDR picture quality and stereo speakers with Dolby audio. The Epson EpiqVision Mini is also portable, so you can easily set it up in any room of your house – or bring it with you on the road! Its new 360-degree swivel-stand with tilt ability maximizes your viewing options so you can always get the best picture. Hosting a holiday movie marathon? Stream all your favourites seamlessly with the projector’s built-in HDMI and Google TV 1 with access to Netflix 2.

For more information, check Epson.ca for weekly specials and even more savings!

1 To access Google TV and its features, a Google account and an Internet connection of 5 Mbps or faster for HD or 25 Mbps or faster for 4K is required. Third-party app compatibility subject to change without notice.

2 Some apps and/or content may not be available in your region

Animated feature SPELLBOUND not only arrives NOVEMBER 22 on Netflix, it soon will hit select theatres!

PARTICIPATING THEATRES INCLUDE:

Toronto

Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas

Montreal

Cinéma Cineplex Forum

Vancouver

Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas

SYNOPSIS | Spellbound follows the adventures of Ellian, the tenacious young daughter of the rulers of Lumbria who must go on a daring quest to save her family and kingdom after a mysterious spell transforms her parents into monsters. Spellbound is directed by Vicky Jenson (Shrek) with original score from EGOT-winning composer Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast) and lyrics by Glenn Slater (Tangled). A Netflix Film from Skydance Animation, Spellbound boasts an all-star voice cast led by Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Nathan Lane, Tituss Burgess, with Javier Bardem, and Nicole Kidman. Spellbound is written by Lauren Hynek & Elizabeth Martin and Julia Miranda and produced by John Lasseter, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Bruce Anderson for Skydance Animation.

DIRECTOR: Vicky Jenson

WRITTEN BY: Lauren Hynek & Elizabeth Martin and Julia Miranda

PRODUCERS: John Lasseter, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Bruce Anderson for Skydance Animation

PROD. COMPANY: Skydance Animation

SCORE BY: Alan Menken

SONGS BY: Alan Menken and Glenn Slater

CAST: Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Tituss Burgess, Nathan Lane with Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman

Today, Disney+ released the trailer and key art for Disney+’s first ever Original stand-up comedy special, “Jim Gaffigan: The Skinny,” streaming November 22, 2024 exclusively on Disney+ in Canada.

See the Trailer here.

Considered one of the most prolific comedians working today – 7-time Grammy nominee Jim Gaffigan provides the skinny on everything from appetite suppressants to raising teenagers.

Robust parental controls ensure that Disney+ remains a suitable viewing experience for everyone in the family. Subscribers can set access limits on mature content and create PIN-protected profiles alongside the already existing Junior Mode profiles to give parents and guardians peace of mind.

The trailer for Season 3 of Marvel Animation’s acclaimed animated series “What If…?” is available now. “What If…?” begins streaming December 22, 2024 on Disney+, with a new episode debuting daily for eight days.

Marvel’s animated series “What If…?” returns in Season 3 for its culminating adventure through the multiverse. Watch as classic characters make unexpected choices that will mutate their worlds into spectacular alternate versions of the MCU. The Watcher (voice of Jeffrey Wright) will guide viewers as the series traverses new genres, bigger spectacles, and incredible new characters.

The series features an incredible voice cast that includes a host of stars who reprise their iconic roles. Season 3 features fan-favorite characters like Captain America/Sam Wilson, The Winter Soldier/Bucky Barnes, Hulk/Bruce Banner, The Red Guardian, Captain Peggy Carter, Agatha Harkness, Shang-Chi, Storm the Goddess of Thunder, and numerous others. Episodes are directed by Bryan Andrews and Stephan Franck and are written by Matthew Chauncey, Ryan Little, and A.C. Bradley. Executive producers are Brad Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt, and Bryan Andrews, with co-executive producer Matthew Chauncey, and producers Danielle Costa, Carrie Wassenaar, and Alex Scharf.