DSO Executive Director Winnie Luk was pleased to attend both the Canadian Screen Awards and the Fire Horse Reel Asian Awards this year, celebrating the achievements of creators, performers, and industry leaders.
Both events provided wonderful opportunities to reconnect with DSO partners and supporters who help advance disability inclusion across the industry. Check out the highlights below.
Canadian Screen Awards
Amber Munro (DGC Ontario), Francesca Accinelli (Telefilm) and Winnie Luk (DSO).
The Canadian Screen Awards are Canada's premier annual awards celebrating excellence in film, English-language television, and digital media. At the 2026 awards, the show Heated Rivalry made history with a record-breaking 16 wins, including Best Drama Series. We were especially pleased to see the series receive such widespread recognition for its compelling storytelling and inclusive representation.
Earlier this year, at the Prime Time Conference in Ottawa, Winnie attended a conversation with co-creators Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady, who shared insights into how Heated Rivalry has resonated with audiences around the world while pushing boundaries. One of the series' lead characters, Shane Hollander, is autistic, and actor Hudson Williams has spoken about drawing inspiration from his neurodivergent father while developing the role. Williams has also shared that he has ADHD. Alongside its authentic disability representation, the series has been widely celebrated for its 2SLGBTQIA+ storytelling.
We were also happy to see the Executive Director of the Canadian Film Centre, maxine bailey, receive the Changemaker Award. This award honours a Canadian media professional who is actively engaged in advancing equity and inclusion by confronting racism and discrimination, amplifying underrepresented perspectives, and working toward systemic change within the industry. Congratulations, maxine!
Reel Asian Fire Horse Awards
From left to right: Deanna Wong (Reel Asian), Ana Serrano, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Anita Lee (TIFF).
Photo by Reel Asian.
Marking Asian Heritage Month and coinciding with the Year of the Fire Horse, the 5th Annual Fire Horse Award Gala & Fundraiser took place on June 2, 2026. DSO Executive Director Winnie Luk joined industry leaders, creators, and community partners at the event, strengthening relationships and engaging in conversations about advancing equity, representation, and inclusion across Canada's screen-based industries.
The Fire Horse Award celebrates an Asian Canadian individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to the film and media arts community. This year's award was presented to Ana Serrano, President and Vice-Chancellor of OCAD University. An acclaimed producer, visionary leader, and innovator in Canada's arts and creative industries, Serrano has continually pushed boundaries in media while expanding opportunities for artists across the country.
Winnie Luk (left) with fellow industry leaders at the 2026 Fire Horse Award Gala.
Winnie Luk and Ana Serrano.
We congratulate all of this year's award recipients and look forward to seeing even more representation, recognition, and opportunities for disabled creatives in the future.
