‘Cows Come Home’ corrals two Canadian Screen Awards

A Fort Erie-filmed comedy series picked up two of Canada’s top digital media honours this week, with ‘Cows Come Home’ winning Best Web Program or Series and director Katie Uhlmann taking Best Direction at the 2026 Canadian Screen Awards.

The wins came during Canadian Screen Week, which ran May 27 to 31 in Toronto at the CBC Broadcast Centre. ‘Cows Come Home’ entered the week holding four nominations, having competed against Canada’s top scripted productions since its premiere on Bell Fibe TV1 in June 2025.

The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television spread its 146-category program across six award presentations throughout the week, building toward the nationally televised finale on May 31.

‘Cows Come Home’ was nominated for Best Web Program or Series (Fiction), Best Direction for Uhlmann, Best Writing for Uhlmann and co-creator Lindsey Middleton, and Best Lead Performance for Middleton.

In the digital media categories overall, ‘County Blooms: A Flower Powered Adventure’ won three awards, while ‘Cows Come Home’ was awarded two.

For the first time, the show simulcast nationally across multiple networks during Canadian Screen Week.

Host Andrew Phung opened with a musical number. Dave Foley presented Mike Myers with the Academy Icon Award, Hudson Williams honoured Sophie Nélisse with the Radius Award, and Ron MacLean presented the Gordon Sinclair Award for Broadcast Journalism to Hazel Mae.

‘Heated Rivalry’ took home three awards at the televised ceremony: Audience Choice, Best Drama Series and Best Lead Performance for Hudson Williams.

The ‘Cows Come Home’ production crew filmed at Walnutknoll Dairy Farm in Ridgeway and at I CAN-T.E.R. Farm, the Fort Erie therapeutic riding charity whose executive director Karen van der Zalm gave up her own bedroom for crew members during the shoot.

The six-episode comedy follows two friends who enter the world of competitive cow-showing. Uhlmann directed all six episodes and co-wrote the series alongside Middleton.

Last October, nearly 400 people attended the first of two red carpet screenings at the Meridian Centre for the Arts inside Greater Fort Erie Secondary School, where Mayor Wayne Redekop joined the audience. Ticket sales from that event supported I CAN-T.E.R.’s fundraising toward a $15,000 operations goal.

“They say it takes a village to make a movie, and that is true,” said Middleton at the October screening. “We’re just very grateful to the village that helped make this happen.”

Stay Informed

Events, offers, contests, and breaking news, all delivered straight to your inbox.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Subscribe