ACTRA Toronto has announced the Outstanding Performance on-camera nominees and lifetime membership recipients for the 23rd ACTRA Awards in Toronto, which will take place Thursday, May 8 at Koerner Hall at the TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning.
This year’s awards mark the introduction of two new on-camera categories – Non-Binary/Gender Non-conforming and Commercial.
“These new categories are a demonstration of the union’s commitment to inclusion and recognition of the resiliency of ACTRA commercial performers across the country, with a spotlight on those ACTRA Toronto performers who continue to bring excellence to Canadian commercial productions,” said ACTRA Toronto President Kate Ziegler. “In 2025, we will applaud our members’ outstanding performances in everything from short and feature films to television series to commercials.”
Lifetime memberships, determined by ACTRA Toronto Council in recognition of significant volunteer contributions to the union and its ongoing work on behalf of members, are being presented this year to Leesa Levinson, Eric Peterson and Jean Yoon.
“We are also excited to recognize this year’s Lifetime membership recipients for the first time at this year’s awards and their unique contributions to our union – from service as an ACTRA Toronto Councillor to strengthening disability rights to advocating for our industry,” added Ziegler.
Find the full list of nominees here:
Outstanding Performance – Female:
Oluniké Adeliyi as Beverly-Jean in Village Keeper (Smallaxx Motion Pictures)
Pegah Ghafoori as Sahar in One Must Wash Eyes (Deh Deh FIlms)
Grace Glowicki as Allie in The Heirloom (Cheekdance Spectacular in association with Cedar Picture)
Stefani Kimber as Emily in The Players (Hawkeye Pictures)
Bryn McAuley as Bibi in Bibi’s Dog is Dead (Brick by Brick Films)
Outstanding Performance – Male:
Dan Beirne as Chester Brown in Paying For It (Hawkeye Pictures Inc., Wilding Pictures Inc.)
Sergio Di Zio as Martin Thibodeau in Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, “The Sound of Silence” (Cameron Pictures, Lark Productions)
James Gilbert as Adam in DADA (Obvious Allegory, Still Moving Pictures)
Daniel Gravelle as Lugh in We Forgot To Break Up (Motel Pictures Inc.)
Rick Roberts as Freddie in The Light Before the Sun (Blackbird Productions Inc.)
Outstanding Performance – Non-Binary/Gender Non-conforming:
Danya Chichagov as Ian McKay in We Three Queens, “Losing Bodies” (Tender Fruit Productions)
Gabbi Kosmidis as Caroline in Fellow Travelers, “Bullet Proof” (Blue Days Films, Off-Season Productions, Fremantle, Showtime Networks)
Rabiya Mansoor as Zubaira Baqri in Bad Accountant (Cult Following Pictures, Window Dreams Productions)
Billy Merasty as Alfred in Aberdeen (Farpoint Films, Back to Space Productions)
Carter Trozzolo as Spencer in My Old Ass (Amazon MGM Studios, Indian Paintbrush, A LuckyChap Production)
Outstanding Performance – Commercial:
Bruce Horak as Edwin A. Baker in the “Edwin A. Baker” Heritage Minute (Historica Canada, in conjunction with Scopitone Films)
Tony A. Kim as Stefan the Elf on the Shelf in Walmart Canada’s “Holiday Helpers” (Cossette Toronto)
Brandon McKnight as Boyfriend in Rogers’ “Wish You Were Here” (Publicis Toronto)
Sally Nakazi in Staples Canada’s “Office Gifts” (MIJO/XR)
Nadine Whiteman as Mom in Subway Canada’s “Holiday Festive Faves” (Dentsu)
Candidates for ACTRA Toronto’s juried Outstanding Performance awards are submitted for consideration by ACTRA Toronto members. The nominees and winners are chosen by a jury comprised of ACTRA Toronto members that reflect the communities represented within the ACTRA Toronto membership.
