A feature film shot secretly and under dangerous conditions in Kabul was honoured with the three biggest prizes at the gala Leo Awards ceremony at the Hyatt Regency on Sunday (June 3). 

Black Kite, a drama set against five decades of political turmoil and war in Afghanistan, was named best motion picture. Afghan expat Tarique Qayumi also took home the trophies for best screenwriting and direction.

Celebrating the best in B.C. film and TV, this year’s Leos took on a more political edge than usual for its 20th year. 

The NFB’s critically acclaimed musical history of the Native Voice newspaper, The Road Forward, swept all three of the awards in the feature length documentary category, including writing and direction nods for Marie Clements.

Not insignificantly, a drama about a family’s attempts to protest oil tanker traffic in the Great Bear Rainforest, Kayak To Klemtu, saw Ta'kaiya Blaney and Sonja Bennett honoured for, respectively, best lead and supporting female performances.

Daniel Doheny was named best male lead for his performance in Adventures in Public School, while Maxwell Hayes scored the best supporting male performance trophy for Jason Bourque’s thriller, Drone—which was also awarded for editing at a separate ceremony on Saturday (June 2).

Other big winner’s on Saturday:

Kim’s Convenience took home prizes for best direction (Siobhan Devine), best performance (Andrea Bang), and best comedy series.

Riverdale was honoured for cinematography (Brendan Uegama).

And Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency received four trophies, for best supporting performance (Emily Tennant), best guest performances (Agam Darshi and Lee Majdoub), and best editing.

For the full results, visit the Leos website here.