Honoured with Two 2026 Canadian Screen Award Nominations

The coffee tastes a little better this morning. I am incredibly humbled and grateful to share that I’ve been nominated for two Canadian Screen Awards this year, representing work in both the Film and Animation categories.

Being recognized by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is a massive honour, especially given the caliber of storytelling happening in Canada right now. These two projects couldn't be more different—one a live-action feature and the other a beloved animated world—but both allowed me to dive deep into the kind of thematic, melodic storytelling I love most.

The Nominations:

  • Achievement in Music – Original Score | Please, After You (Vortex Media / Dir. Rob Michaels)

  • Best Original Music, Animation | Thomas & Friends: The Christmas Letter Express (Nelvana / Mattel, Inc.)

A score is never a solo effort. I’m so lucky to work with collaborators who trust me to help tell their stories, and to the musicians and teams who helped bring these notes to life: thank you. To my fellow nominees—congratulations. I can’t wait to celebrate the incredible work of our industry together.

Feature Film "Please, After You" gets Theatrical Release

The film "Please, After You" has had theatrical screenings in Canada, with a December 5, 2024 premiere at the Whistler Film Festival and a March 26, 2025 screening at the Canadian Film Festival. It also has upcoming showings at Galaxy Barrie (May 11), Cineplex Yonge-Dundas (May 21), Cineplex Vaughan (May 22), and Scotiabank Theatre Halifax (June 5). The film stars comedian Neema Naz , Juno Rinaldi, Kris Siddiqi, & Sammy Azero.


”Please, After You” is a story about how a young immigrant Ali’s life in Canada turns upside down when his naïve cousin Omid arrives from overseas under mysterious circumstances to live with him in a newcomers settlement house. On the cusp of achieving his goal to settle in Toronto, a tide of misadventures derails Ali's plans, costing him his job opportunity and romance, which ultimately drives him to his wits’ end.

DETAILS

  • DIRECTOR

    Rob Michaels

  • PRODUCER

    Khaled Sabbour, Bill Marks

  • SCREENWRITER

    Amir Kahnamouee

  • CINEMATOGRAPHER

    Christoph Benfey

  • MUSIC

    Erica Procunier

Don't Talk To Irene - TIFF'17 and in Theatres

Pat Mills' feature film Don't Talk To Irene had it's world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 11th, 2017 to rave reviews. The film has been travelling to various festivals in Canada such as the Atlantic Film Festival in September 2017, and will have it's American Premiere at the Austin Film Festival in October 2017. The film has done well with a limited theatrical release in Toronto, being held over at the Yonge-Dundas Square Cineplex for 2 weeks with an additional run at the Yonge and Eglinton Canada Square theatre for 2 weeks. 

 

Dont Talk To Irene.jpg