May 19, 2016

Vancouver, BC – Congratulations to the Film Arts alumni and faculty nominated for the 2016 Leo Awards. The work of seven Langara alumni will be recognized at this year’s awards ceremony, with nominations across a range of categories in feature film, comedy, web and children’s series.

Langara Leo Award nominees:

  • Best Direction in a Motion Picture – Melanie Jones, FSM
  • Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Motion Picture – Danny Zaporozan, The Evil in Us
  • Best Screenwriting in a Youth or Children’s Program or Series – Nadiya Chettiar, Some Assembly Required – Wind-up Robot
  • Best Music, Comedy or Variety Program or Series – Ingo Lou and Amy Fox, The Switch
  • Best Performance in a Comedy Series – Amy Fox, The Switch
  • Best Web Series – Tyler Funk, White Ninja
  • Best Supporting Role by a Male in a Motion Picture – Garwin Sanford, Birdwatcher

“I’m stunned,” said Amy Fox, who graduated from the Langara Film Arts program in 2012. “There were over a thousand nominations, and the Leo [Awards] are considering my show and my acting. I'm grateful for all the people who helped make this possible.”

Fox received two nominations including Best Music, Comedy or Variety Program or Series for the transgender comedy TV show, The Switch, along with fellow Film Arts graduate Ingo Lou.

“In eight months, Langara Film Arts taught me all the fundamentals of filmmaking through copious hands-on experience,” Fox added. “All for a price that left me with enough savings to make The Switch. Our show would not exist without Langara. It's the best film-intensive program there is. If you want to make films, go here.”

The Langara Film Arts program provides training in directing, acting, writing, and producing. Langara alumni received nominations across all three areas.

“The alumni nominees are the epitome of the type of student we strive to encourage and mentor as they develop their careers,” said Langara Film Arts Department Chair and Leo Award nominee Garwin Sanford. “We are so very proud of their accomplishments and look forward to mentoring and witnessing all their future successes.”

Sanford, a Studio58 alumnus is nominated for Best Supporting Lead by a Male in a Motion Picture for The Birdwatcher. The film received nine nominations total, including Best Picture, and Sanford describes the film as a “passion project” crediting the film’s success to a dedicated cast and crew.

“It seems to be a validation of the spirit of collaboration that is the hallmark of the best film making,” said Sanford. “The fact there are nine nominations for this film shows the level of talent in all areas of the creative team and crew. I am honored and proud to be involved.”

Founded by the Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Foundation of British Columbia, the annual Leo Awards celebrate achievements within the film and television industry of British Columbia.

The LEO Awards will be held on May 28 and June 4-5 at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver. Tickets will be on sale at www.leoawards.com.

About Langara Film Arts
Film Arts is an eight-month intensive, collaborative, and comprehensive program designed to train industry-ready directors, writers, and actors. The program runs each year from January to August. Over the past few years, the Film Arts program at Langara College has made big waves in the film industry. For more info, visit www.langara.ca/film-arts. 

About Langara
Located in beautiful Vancouver, BC, Canada, Langara College provides University, Career, and Continuing Studies education to more than 21,000 students annually. With more than 1,700 courses and 130 programs, Langara’s expansive academic breadth and depth allows students of all ages, backgrounds, and life stages to choose their own educational path. Langara is also known as house of teachings, a name given to it by the Musqueam people on whose unceded traditional territory the College is located.

Learn more. 
Carly Barrett
Communications Officer
604.323.5176
cbarrett@langara.bc.ca