Cinematography / Production Designer Rep, MANTL REPS

Arlene Evidente is an Agent at Mantl Reps, a Toronto-based management agency representing Cinematographers and Production Designers in the advertising, film and television industries.

Director / Keys Agent, MERIDIAN ARTISTS

Courtenay has worked in the film industry for 20 + years in various roles on productions such as Spotlight, Pacific Rim, RoboCop, and Being Erica. She produced a number of well-traveled short films including Benjamin, Still, Life on Juniper, and Hit Men. She also was an associate producer on the feature Mean Dreams which had its premiere at the Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes.

Courtenay joined the team as an Agent in 2016 and is the head of the key creative division where she represents both keys and directors.

Director of Development, PIER 21

Driven by her love of storytelling and passion for working closely with creators of all disciplines, Nafisa brings over ten years of experience within the Canadian screen industry to her role as Director of Development. Before joining Pier 21 Films, Nafisa was the director of talent development programs at the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, where she implemented content and professional development strategies across a number of initiatives, including the inaugural Women in Post, Executive Residency, and Warner Media Access x Canadian Academy Writers and Directors programs.

Cinematographer, REVENGE OF THE BLACK BEST FRIEND

Lester Millado’s passion for visual storytelling, at its core, is built upon an unconditional love for the art of filmmaking and a commitment to bringing underrepresented stories to the forefront of contemporary cinema and commercial.

An associate member of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers, Lester has international experience in directing photography for film, tv, web, and commercial projects - with his most recent work being a global campaign for "Air Canada in collaboration with Disney".

Entertainment Lawyer, LEWIS BIRNBERG HANET BOBADILLA, LLP

Karla Bobadilla has 20+ years of legal experience in film, television and digital media financing, development, production and distribution and is a partner at the entertainment and media law firm, Lewis Birnberg Hanet Bobadilla, LLP. Prior to entering private practice, Karla worked at the Canadian Media Producers Association providing policy, government relations, strategic planning, advocacy and lobby work on behalf of its membership. 

Active in the not-for-profit cultural sector, Karla is a member of the Advisory of the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival.

Literary Agent, MERIDIAN ARTISTS

Kerry Ball is a Literary Agent and Head of Development at Meridian Artists. Kerry joined the Meridian team in 2010 as an Associate where she worked closely with the Agents and roster to facilitate employment opportunities and project sales in both Canada and the USA. She transitioned to the role of Agent in 2014 and represents literary clients for youth, animation and primetime production and development in Canada. Kerry also manages Meridian's internal development slate to maximize sales opportunities for original IP.

Actor, GINNY & GEORGIA

Raymond began as a child performer as Young Simba in The Lion King musical at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Raymond later starred in DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION and won an Indie Series Award for his role on the web series TEENAGERS. Raymond has appeared in supporting roles in ORPHAN BLACK, NARCOS, SHADOWHUNTERS, and is currently starring in Netflix’s GINNY & GEORGIA.

Director / Writer, FORBIDDEN TIKKA MASALA

A graduate of the Canadian Film Centre (CFC), Rahul Chaturvedi is a South Asian Writer-Director working in Film & TV. His credits include writing on the half-hour show POTLUCK LADIES, writing on a Kids show for PBS, working as Story Editor on DON'T EVEN (Crave), Jr. Story Editor on LATE BLOOMER (Crave), and as a script consultant and dialect coach on STATION ELEVEN (HBO Max). His sketch show CHAI TEA is currently in development with Frantic Films. He is also currently writing a graphic novel for KidsCanPress.

Festival Programmer, REEL ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL

Aram is a filmmaker, educator, and film festival programmer. Based in Toronto, Aram is a mixed race Asian Canadian/American (Chinese and English/Dutch/German) and a San Francisco native who has a BFA and MFA in Film Production from the University of California at Santa Cruz and York University respectively.

Career Coach for Creatives

Betty Xie is a Chinese-Canadian filmmaker, fundraising consultant, and career coach for creatives. In the past decade, she has worked in the arts, cultural, and non-profit sector as a fund development professional. Alongside her arts management career, she is an award-winning filmmaker. Most recently, she directed and wrote the short animated series Uprooted: The Plantemic on CBC Gem. In 2022, she founded her independent practice in consulting and coaching. Now, she serves small nonprofits to develop fundraising strategies and support creatives in their paths.

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival® is a unique showcase of contemporary Asian cinema and work from the Asian diaspora. Works include films and videos by Asian-identifying artists in Canada, the U.S., Asia and all over the world.

A sunny lively taco truck where generously stacked tacos are the main attraction. Kong’s mixes the best of Asian dishes in one loud, flavour punching taco! Expect fun, shareable snacks and a small rotating feature menu.

Toro Toro serves fast-casual sushi and poke, featuring specialties such as karaage poke and tataki maki.

Yoaki Izakaya is known for playfully crafted cocktails, exclusive sakes, and an otherworldly selection of Japanese spirits. Meet a menu that brings to life our experiences across Japan–the past, the present, and the future. Experience the most electrifying restaurant north of Toronto.

Something Nice Supply is an Asian-owned small business exploring design in tangible forms through pins, patches, and small apparel.

EXNW will annually convene the brightest and best racialized creatives from television, streaming, gaming, AR, VR and beyond to ideate, innovate and celebrate the immense breadth and depth of the talent within our communities.

Silver Antelope was founded in 2021 with the goal of making ethical and sustainable gifting easy. We curate unique, small-batch products that are consciously made by small businesses whose values align with ours, emphasizing companies that are also women-led and/or BIPOC-owned. Co-founders Lichia and Christopher launched Silver Antelope after the direct-to-consumer arm of their boutique stationery brand, Gotamago, grew too big for their website.

Lamoon Thai Cafe serves drinks, sweets, savoury treats and snacks with the flavours of Thailand with some twists.

Lamoon is also dedicated to supporting local businesses in Thailand with handmade rope handles on their drinks made from banana trees and bringing tote bags and scarves made the traditional Thai fabric, Pa Khao Ma, across the ocean for an authentic Thai experience.

The Social Blend is filled with passion and knowledge about coffee and Korean-inspired desserts. With value quality, consistency, connection, and growth in mind, The Social Blend chooses the highest quality ingredients and strives to continually excel in delivering a joyous experience to make your day. Perhaps even making life just a little bit sweeter.

The Reelworld Screen Institute (non-profit) and Reelworld Foundation (charity) are groundbreaking advocacy organizations in Canada that draw attention to the lack of racially diverse and indigenous talent in mainstream media - both in front of and behind the screen.

Reelworld is one of the largest national platform dedicated to changing the face of the media landscape by empowering and showcasing Canadians identifying as Black, Indigenous, Asian, and People of Colour in the screen-based industries.

RESO is a Vancouver based national office that supports the mentorship, training, funding, production, and distribution of content by racialized Canadian filmmakers with diverse stories told through our diasporic migrant lens with a major goal to build greater business opportunities and markets for content from racialized communities in and outside of Canada.

VAFF is the longest running Asian film festival in Canada, dedicated to promoting and celebrating the diversity and depth of Asian culture and identity in film and media, and to help North American Asian actors and filmmakers more authentically and more powerfully define and express themselves on screen.

Through its annual film festival and many other programs and events hosted in Vancouver, VAFF’s mission is to engage in, support and amplify Asian presence in film and television.

From its humble beginnings in 2012, the Mosaic outdoor Festival of Mississauga has come a long way. Thanks to Festival Director, Arshad Khan, Advisory Board Member, Anya Mckenzie, and the “collaborative [efforts of] the Canadian Community Arts Initiative” MISAFF has been able to take on a life of its own that continues to celebrate Canada’s talented South Asian community.

Grounded in a commitment to social justice, decolonization and reconciliation, BIPOC TV & FILM is a community-centric non-profit organization advocating for racial equity and decent work practices in Canada’s screen media industry.

BIPOC TV & Film envisions a film and television industry that allows for the full creative and economic participation of all regardless of race, ethnicity, ability, gender, and sexuality. They advocate for decent work policies and fair hiring practices at all experience levels—dismantling barriers to career entry and advancement.