CAPILANO UNIVERSITY
Capilano University honoured by Leo Awards for Outstanding Achievement

Capilano University's School of Motion Picture Arts has been honoured with the 2026 Leo Awards Outstanding Achievement Award, recognizing its longstanding contribution to British Columbia's film and television industry. Presented by the Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Foundation of British Columbia, the award recognizes organizations, companies, associations and individuals that have made a significant impact on the province's screen sector.

Michael Thoma, chair of Capilano University's School of Motion Picture Arts, accepts the 2026 Outstanding Achievement Award on behalf of the university, at the Leo Awards, July 4-5 in Vancouver. (Image courtesy of presenting sponsor RBC via LinkedIn.)

At the 2026 Leo Awards celebration on July 4 and 5 in Vancouver, the award's introduction featured remarks from CapU alumna, filmmaker and actor Gigi Saul Guerrero, who spoke about the role CapU played in launching her career. Michael Thoma, chair of the School of Motion Picture Arts, accepted the honour on behalf of the university from presenting sponsor RBC.  

"The Leo Awards bring together the incredible talent in B.C.'s film and television community, and it was inspiring to see so many of our students, alumni and faculty recognized among them," said Thoma. "It was especially gratifying to see the School of Motion Picture Arts and Capilano University recognized as an honoured and valued part of that community." 

In her remarks, Guerrero reflected on how her time at CapU helped launch her career and laid the foundation for her success as a filmmaker and actor. She also spoke to the school's ongoing impact on emerging creators working in B.C.'s screen industry. 

According to the Leo Awards website, CapU's School of Motion Picture Arts received the Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of its longstanding contribution to film and television education and its role in preparing generations of industry professionals. 

Located on CapU's North Vancouver campus, the Nat and Flora Bosa Centre for Film & Animation provides state-of-the-art facilities and hands-on, industry-focused learning. Home to the School of Motion Picture Arts and School of Animation & Visual Effects, the centre prepares students for careers in film, television and animation through real-world projects and mentorship from industry professionals. 

The celebration also highlighted the depth of CapU talent across the screen sector, with 60-plus alumni nominated and more than a dozen alumni and faculty receiving Leo Awards honours. 

CapU community members receiving Leo Awards included: 

FACULTY 

Best Sound, Feature Length Documentary 
Lisa Kolisnyk (recently retired) (with Doug Paterson, May Guimarães, Chris Hind and Yegor Irodov) 
In the Room 

ALUMNI 

Best Picture Editing, Motion Picture  
Nach Dudsdeemaytha 
Akashi 

Best Musical Score, Motion Picture 
Matthew Rogers 
Worldbreaker 

Best Musical Score, Television Movie 
Matthew Rogers 
How to Lose a Popularity Contest 

Best Short Drama 
Josh Hauca and Dan Clarke (with Colin Matthews), producers 
Never Use Alone 

Best Picture Editing, Short Documentary 
Conor Gleeson (with Joseph Boutilier) 
The Sound of a Pandemic 

Best Cinematography, Documentary Series 
Hunter Wood 
The Last Captains-All In, All Out 

Best Information, Lifestyle or Reality Series  
Michael Francis (with Dugald Mclaren, Wendy Mckernan, Bryce Quan, David Way, Lindsay Macadam and Tony Chung), producer 
Highway Thru Hell 

Best Cinematography Information, Lifestyle or Reality Series 
Cuyler Frink (with Sean F. White, Ryan Godard and Dyllan Goodman) 
Ocean Warriors: Mission Ready-Plane in Peril 

Best Art Direction, Animation Program 
Kevin Phibbs 
After Us 

Best Web Series 
Paul Almeida and Makayla Moore, producers 
The Dressing Room, Season 2 

Best Performance, Web Series 
Alex Gullason 
The Dressing Room Season 2-Wig in a Box 

Best Student Production 
Sarah Buchanan, producer 
Perfect Definition 

Visit the Leo Awards website for a full list of nominees and winners.