Two Canadians in running for Commonwealth Short Story Prize

LONDON – Two Canadians are in contention for this year’s Commonwealth Short Story Prize.

Hilary Dean and Tyler Keevil made the short list for the eighth annual prize, which honours unpublished short fiction in English from the Commonwealth.

Dean is a finalist for “Resurrection,” about eighth-graders putting on a Passion Play, in which the class clown has been cast as Jesus.

The Richmond Hill, Ont., native, who now lives in Toronto, is also a documentary filmmaker.

Keevil made the cut for “Amid the Winds and Snow,” about “a tragic accident in one of the most beautiful and desolate places on Earth.”

The Vancouver-raised writer moved to Wales in his mid-20s and is the author of several books and short works.

A judging panel chose the finalists from 5,081 entries from 50 Commonwealth countries.

They will next choose regional winners, who will each receive 2,500 British pounds, or about C$4,356.

An overall winner — who receives 5,000 British pounds, or about C$8,712 — will be announced in Quebec City on July 9.