Actor Summer H. Howell was honored at the 8th annual ACTRA Manitoba Awards Gala, which took place this past Saturday within the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. Howell received the award for Outstanding Performance in a Feature for her role in the film Spirit in the Blood.

Who won the ACTRA Manitoba Awards?

The ceremony recognized various talents across film, television, and stunt work within the province. Notable winners included:

  • Lauren Cochrane and Reena Jolly: Shared the Outstanding Performance in a Feature award with Howell.
  • Jonathan Lawrence: The first recipient of the newly introduced breakthrough performance category for Hair of the Bear.
  • Sarah Luby: Recognized for her supporting role in the comedy Don’t Even.
  • Aaron Merke: Honored for his work in the supernatural horror series Safehaven.
  • Paul Rabliauskas: Won for his performance in the CTV Comedy series Acting Good.

Other honors included Fay Kelman for outstanding performance in a short, Joshua Sarna for stunt performance, and the Winnipeg Film Group receiving the Wayne Nicklas Award.

Why does this recognition matter?

These awards highlight the strength of the local production landscape in Manitoba. ACTRA represents more than 1,000 professionals working in the region's film and television sectors, ranging from background actors to apprentices. For performers like Howell, who is also known for her lead role in the Prime Video series Carrie, these honors serve as a significant milestone in a career rooted in local productions.

Howell has a history of success at these ceremonies, having previously won the same feature performance category in 2022 for Hunter Hunter. The gala also recognized companies like Bonus Productions for their commitment to employing local talent through the Manitoba Award.

FAQ

Where was the awards ceremony held?

The 8th ACTRA Manitoba Awards Gala took place at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg.

What is ACTRA?

ACTRA is an organization that represents over 1,000 film and television professionals in Manitoba.