Our 5 most-read articles in 2025
Between political reform, national pride, and rapid technological change, 2025 has been a year of profound shifts for the audiovisual sector. The five articles that most captivated Now & Next readers this year speak for themselves—stories that celebrate Canadian creativity, champion local perspectives, and challenge how ‘CanCon’ is defined.
For St. John’s, good things come in threes
By Sara Swain
Away from Canada’s major production hubs, Newfoundland and Labrador’s screen sector is booming. Leading the pack are three major TV series—Hudson & Rex, Son of a Critch, and Saint-Pierre—all shooting in St. John’s and driving an unprecedented production season. With strong provincial incentives, including generous tax credits, the region attracts both domestic and international projects. Despite some logistical challenges, unions, producers, and training institutions are working together to sustain the industry’s expansion and create opportunities for local emerging talent. Learn more about Newfoundland and Labrador’s growing production hub.
North of North: Breaking Ground in Inuit Comedy-Drama
By Cameron Archer
The Canadian series North of North caught everyone’s attention this year. Created by Alethea Arnaquq-Baril and Stacey Aglok MacDonald, the show breaks new ground as an Inuit-led comedy-drama distributed across three streaming platforms: CBC Gem, APTN+ (formerly APTN lumi), and Netflix. The team learned a lot while working on the first season, from navigating the challenges of filming in Nunavut to balancing notes from three different broadcasters without compromising cultural specificity. If North of North managed to capture the interest of both Inuit and global audiences, it’s thanks to the carefully crafted storylines that blend universal themes with authentic representation of Inuit experiences and humour. Check out this year’s standout comedy series and the team behind it.
Paying for It is rewriting the rules of Canadian film distribution
By Isoken Ogiemwonyi
With traditional theatrical distribution shrinking, independent filmmakers must find new ways to reach audiences. Released this year, the Canadian feature Paying for It tested the “microdistribution” model, which is built on grassroots outreach, event-based screenings, and partnerships with independent cinemas. Producer Aeschylus Poulos and his team mapped out their plan early, building audiences city by city through local newsletters, independent art venues, community partnerships, and even film club networks. In the end, this unconventional, ‘self-run,’ release strategy paid off: the film drew sold-out screenings, reached new audiences, and gained national attention. The experiment shows how an independent approach, centred on community and audience, could be a promising path for future Canadian films. Read about Paying for It’s microdistribution journey.
They Shoot, They Score
By Ingrid Randoja
Crave’s new series Heated Rivalry was one of the most anticipated Canadian releases of 2025: a queer hockey romance adapted from Rachel Reid’s bestselling novel and directed by Jacob Tierney. Known for Letterkenny and Shoresy, Tierney wanted to create a joyful love story that was free of tropes, set in hockey’s hyper-masculine world. In conversation with Now and Next’s Ingrid Randoja, he talks about bringing this groundbreaking story to the screen, while stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie discuss the emotional complexity of their characters, Shane and Ilya, two star athletes in a secret, years-long romance. Their natural chemistry, combined with Tierney’s commitment to authentic storytelling, makes Heated Rivalry a series that redefines queer storytelling in Canadian television. Go behind the scenes with the creator and his lead actors.
How Canadian film and TV professionals are powering regional economies
By Isoken Ogiemwonyi
In places like Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, away from major urban centres, independent film and TV hubs are growing, producing local stories, creating jobs, training crews—and proving that regional production spurs economic growth. Four filmmakers spoke with Now & Next about the challenges regional creators face, including talent retention and access to funding, how regional production contributes to GDP, and why sustained investment and national support for regional screen industries can boost Canada’s economy and diversify the stories we tell. Discover how regional filmmakers are strengthening local economies.
