reelworld

SPOILER ALERT… The news is out 🚨 if you did not get the chance to watch the Reelworld Film Festival Awards show last night, head to our YouTube channel - the link is in the bio! 🔗 We want to congratulate this year’s filmmakers and award recipients on their outstanding films. •Outstanding Feature Film ($20,000): @johanne_toutsimplement •Outstanding Short Film ($10,000): @agdwcshortfilm •Audience Choice Award ($2,000): @stealingvows Feature Film Awards •Outstanding Feature Film Director: @afilmbyrez •Outstanding Feature Film Producer: @bobbysinghbrown •Outstanding Feature Film Writer: @coreypayette •Outstanding Feature Film Cinematographer: @hazem.berrabah & @omar_bouhoula •Outstanding Feature Film Actress: @gia_sandhu •Outstanding Feature Film Actor: @olivierrossparent Short Film Awards •Outstanding Short Film Director: @taraaghdashloo •Outstanding Short Film Producer: @amirzargara •Outstanding Short Film Writer: @ianbawa •Outstanding Short Film Cinematographer: Carine Zahner •Outstanding Short Film Actress: @aixakay •Outstanding Short Film Actor: @kiarash.dadgar To learn more about them and their films, visit our website! #reelworld #reelworldfilmfestival #torontofilmfestival #cdnfilm #representationmatters #filmmakers #filmfestival #reelworldscreeninstitute #filmmakersofcolour #canadianfilmmaker #filmmakerscommunity #documentaryfilm #shortfilm #featurefilm #indiefilm #talenttowatch

The Reelworld Emerging 20 (E20) Program is back, and we're currently accepting applications!⁠ ⁠ The E20 Program is tailored to support writers and is divided into two streams, Series and Film, with ten applicants in each stream. The writers will be taken through a part-time 6-month program to polish drafts of their scripts and refine their pitching skills. They will be paired with a story editor and learn from industry professionals sharing valuable insights about the Canadian screen industry. This program is for those who are working on developing their skills as writers.⁠ ⁠ Click the link to apply for the 2025 Reelworld Emerging 20 Program cohort; the deadline is January 14th at 1 PM ET.

Last week, four talented producers from the Reelworld Market Ready Program: Virinderpaul Singh @versatile_pictures (2023 Producer Program Alum), Alice Teufack (2024 Black Entrepreneurs Program Participant), Graysen Sangster @livingbygray (2023 Producer Program Alum), and Daniel Foreman (2024 Producer Program Participant), along with Reelworld Director, Safia Abdigir, attended Content London (Dec 2-5). The delegation seized an incredible opportunity to network and build connections with industry professionals from the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. ⁠ ⁠ Starting with the Canada-UK Co-Production Forum hosted by CMPA on the first day, they engaged in meaningful conversations and collaborations that spanned the four-day conference. ⁠ ⁠ Market Ready is in partnership with @wbdaccess.canada

🚨 Calling all Black entrepreneurs! 🚨 ⁠ ⁠ Introducing BEEM (Black Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Mapping) by BEKH (Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub) – an initiative designed to shine a light and empower Black businesses across Canada. BEEM offers enhanced visibility, valuable connections, and essential resources. Here’s why you should join: ⁠ ⁠ 🌟 Enhanced Visibility: Put your business on the map for others to discover ⁠ ⁠ 🤝 Valuable Connections: Build relationships with fellow entrepreneurs and industry leaders. ⁠ ⁠ 📚 Essential Resources: Access tools and strategies tailored to your needs. ⁠ ⁠ 🌍 Community Impact: Be part of a movement driving change in the Black entrepreneurial legacy. ⁠ ⁠ Don’t miss out! Attend the BEKH Capstone Conference, February 6th and 7th, 2025, at Carleton University to discover insights into the state of Black Entrepreneurship in Canada, fueled by initiatives like the BEEM. Stay tuned with BEKH for more details on registration. ⁠ ⁠ 🔗 Register for the BEEM today by visiting the link in our bio and take your business to the next level!

TIFF Industry and CBC have launched the Charles Officer Legacy Award in memory of the beloved Charles Officer. This new award celebrates individuals whose work embodies Charles’s creative excellence, strong perspective, and dedication to the community.⁠ ⁠ Applications are open until December 27, 2024, at 11:59 pm EST. For details, visit the link in our bio.

🗣️ Calling all Reelworld Alumni!⁠ ⁠ Would you be interested in joining a specially designed retreat for creatives, performers, and storytellers organized by the Imiloa Institute? This unique retreat-based, film-focused program will take place from March 16 to 22, 2025, in the beautiful surroundings of Costa Rica.⁠ ⁠ If this opportunity resonates with you, head to the website (link in the bio 🔗) for more information and to submit your grant application by December 20! Reelworld members have the chance to receive a $1000 USD grant that will cover certified workshops, meals, and local transportation.⁠ ⁠ There are 10 grants available for BIPOC filmmakers and actors—available on a first-come, first-served basis, so apply today!

FREE SCREENING + Q&A! Seeking Mavis Beacon - Dec 13 @ 7pm 💿💅🏾⌨️✨⁠ ⁠ @hotdocs_’ For Viola community screening series returns on Friday, December 13 with a special presentation of the Sundance-certified, Blackstar-approved @seekingmavisbeacon!⁠ ⁠ Did you know that one of the most important Back women in technology is a figment of our collective imagination?⁠ ⁠ In the 1990s, Mavis Beacon became the face of the world’s best-selling typing software. But, at the height of the game’s popularity, the real person she was based on—a Haitian woman named Renée L'Espérance—suddenly vanished.⁠ ⁠ In Seeking Mavis Beacon, filmmaker @jazminrjones partners with memory artist Olivia McKayla Ross with the goal of locating L'Espérance and celebrating her pioneering legacy. The result is a vibrantly inventive neon noir for our very online age, with illuminating contributions from @ellerustle, @idealblackfemale, and @stephanie.dinkins.⁠ ⁠ For Viola curator @j.v.carrington invites you to join that celebration at 7pm on December 13 with a free screening, followed by a talkback with Jazmin and Olivia, moderated by local critic and programmer @saffronmaeve. ⁠ ⁠ Free tickets are now available at - visit the link in our bio🔗

Next year marks the 25th anniversary of Reelworld, and we wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for being a part of our community! We are so grateful for your endless support towards our organization.⁠ ⁠ As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, for #GivingTuesday, we ask that you donate towards future creators so they can continue to access professional development, training, mentorship, industry connections, and a platform to share their voices.⁠ ⁠ Also, If you'd like to support Reelworld in other ways, you can:⁠ ⁠ - leave a testimonial celebrating our 25th anniversary and sharing how Reelworld impacted your career (text or video)⁠ - Sign up as a speaker or mentor for upcoming programs and events⁠ ⁠ Together, let's continue the push for racial equity in Canada's screen industries.⁠ ⁠ Click the links in our bio to donate 🔗

From December 2-5, Reelworld’s Market Ready initiative will once again take Canadian producers to Content London, offering them a unique opportunity to forge connections with leading international producers and creatives. Reelworld Program producers Virinderpaul Singh @versatile_pictures (2023 Producer Program Alum), Alice Teufack (2024 Black Entrepreneurs Program Participant), Graysen Sangster @livingbygray (2023 Producer Program Alum), and Daniel Foreman (2024 Producer Program Participant) will be accompanied by Reelworld’s Program Director, Safia Abdigir, as they engage with global industry leaders and pitch projects for co-production. To learn more about our Market Ready initiative and our delegation, visit our website, link in the bio! 🔗 Market Ready is in partnership with @wbdaccess.canada #reelworld #reelworldscreeninstitute #contentlondon #marketready #canadianfilmproducers #canadianproducers #cdnproducers #bipocproducers #delegation

We’re excited to be co-presenting The Future Above Us with @breakthroughsfilmfestival. Directed by @vanessamagic, The Future Above Us will be showing at the Paradise Theatre on Sunday, December 8th as part of the Uncomfort Zone short films screening. ⁠ ⁠ Get your tickets in the link in our bio. #BFF2024

Today is the day! @regentparkfilm Festival kicks off today and runs until December 1 at Daniels Spectrum (585 Dundas St. E). Visit their website for the full lineup of events, and RSVP to save your spot! Tickets are free, and spots are limited.⁠ ⁠ On December 1 at 11 AM, join us for a co-presentation and the Toronto Premiere of Black Dog, directed by Guan Hu. The first Chinese film in nearly two decades to win the Un Certain Regard prize at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. ⁠ ⁠ From November 30 to December 1, join us and other participating organizations at the Industry Meet & Greet to learn about funding opportunities, programs, workshops, and more.⁠ ⁠ For more info, visit the link in our bio.

Revisit the 2024 Reelworld Summit: On day two, @jenniferpodemski was the keynote speaker who kicked off the day. ••• Jennifer Podemski is a director, writer, producer, and actor. Hailing from Toronto but calling Barrie, Ontario, her home, Jennifer’s artistic journey has been shaped by her rich Anishinaabe (First Nation) and Ashkenazi (Jewish) heritage. A registered member of Muscowpetung Saulteux Nation in Saskatchewan, Jennifer has dedicated her career to amplifying authentic Indigenous stories and perspectives through her work as a storyteller. ••• Watch this post-keynote speech interview with Reelworld’s Communication and Public Engagement Manager, @natalienadeen and check out the playback of Jennifer’s speech on our YouTube channel - the Reelworld Summit playlist link is in our bio🔗 #reelworld #reelworldsummit #keynotespeaker #jenniferpodemski #reelworldfilmfestival #torontofilmfestival #representationmatters #cdnfilm #indigenousstories #indigenousfilmmaker #indigenousartists