Hudson Williams wins best lead performer in a drama, ‘Nirvanna’ wins best picture at Screen Awards

Hudson Williams arrives on the red carpet at The Canadian Screen Awards in Toronto on Sunday, May 31, 2026.

TORONTO -- Hudson Williams took home best lead performance for his role in “Heated Rivalry” and the time-travelling Toronto comedy “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie” won best picture at the Canadian Screen Awards.

The film picked up six statuettes during a series of galas this week, including best lead performance in a comedy for co-writer Jay McCarrol and best supporting performance for Matt Johnson, who also co-wrote and directed the movie.

The film follows two bandmates on an ill-fated quest through time to land a gig at a local venue.

Meanwhile, B.C.-born actor Williams said he wished he could split his award down the middle to share with co-star and “honorary Canadian” Connor Storrie.

The actor who portrays Russian hockey star Ilya Rozanov did not qualify for the Canadian Screen Awards because he is American.

The series also doesn’t qualify for the Emmys, because it was entirely produced in Canada.

The steamy hockey show won 13 awards at a gala for scripted television on Saturday night, including best direction and best writing on a drama for creator Jacob Tierney.

“If I could cut this award down the middle, I would,” Williams said, adding that without Storrie, “my performance wouldn’t be as good.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 31, 2026.