VP, Scripted, LARK PRODUCTIONS

Nicole Mendes, VP Scripted at Lark Productions, oversees strategy and development for the scripted arm of the company. Nicole executive produces Allegiance, an original police procedural for CBC, which has been renewed for a third season on CBC and has sold to over 100 countries around the world.

Prior to Lark, Nicole spent over a decade at the CBC, overseeing shows including the hit Canadian drama Murdoch Mysteries, the critically acclaimed Anne with an “E” and the Peabody nominated adaptation of The Book of Negroes.

Nicole has served on multiple juries and sat on various industry panels for organizations such as TIFF, WGC, DGC, and WIFT. She also served on committees for POV and BIPOC TV & Film, organizations that aim to increase inclusion and representation in the industry

PRO TIP: Meeting Mentees that are mid-level TV Writers.

Actor/Director, WARRIOR, I AM RAQUEL WELCH

Olivia Cheng is a Chinese Canadian actress, originally from Edmonton, Alberta. She is known for her series regular roles in HBO Max’s Warrior based on a concept by Bruce Lee, Apple TV+’s post-apocalyptic drama See, and Netflix’s epic warfare period drama Marco Polo.

She can next be seen in Lucky Star, Gillian McKercher’s feature film about a working class family impacted by gambling addiction. 

Most recently, she directed I Am Raquel Welch, a feature length documentary celebrating the life of the eponymous trailblazing actress, in addition to her award winning short film, Dinner with Dex, starring Dianne Doan (Warrior) and Patrick Sabongui (The Hunting Party).

PRO TIP: Meeting Mentees that are Actors and/or Directors seeking mentorship on acting or working with actors.

Director/Producer, BRIA MACK GETS A LIFE

Named one to watch by Variety (‘22) and The Hollywood Reporter (‘24), Sasha Leigh Henry’s work includes award winning comedy Bria Mack Gets A Life and Vimeo Staff Pick Sinking Ship. 4x TIFF alumni and 2x Canadian Screen Award winner, Sasha is currently in post production on her debut feature, Dinner With Friends.

PRO TIP: Meeting Mentees that are Actors, Writers and Producers

Production Designer, DRAKE, TATE MCRAE

Flora Yin is a production designer, classically trained in architecture from the University of Toronto. 

With her extensive knowledge for graphic design, digital rendering and structural fabrication, she is able to idealize and execute every step of the way. 

Flora has created highly curated commercials for Nintendo, Google, Amazon, Walmart, McDonald’s, Starbucks, Volkswagen, Soundcloud, and Uber. 

Some of her music video clients include Drake, Anitta (we won a VMA in ‘24!) , Lil Yachty, Tate Mcrae, and Baka Not Nice. 

Her narrative design work has been featured in numerous film festivals including the Toronto International Film Festival, Vancouver Asian Film Festival and Canadian Film Festival.

PRO TIP: Meeting Mentees that are production designers, art directors, or in the art department.

Line Producer, BLUE ANT STUDIOS, WINDY ISLE ENTERTAINMENT

Shivani Srivastava is a Toronto-based Line Producer with over 12 years of experience in television production, specializing in unscripted content. Known for infusing creativity, humanity, and thoughtfulness into every stage of production, she brings both precision and passion to her shows. Her signature message to every crew — “We’re on the same team making the same show” — reflects her commitment to fostering collaboration, mutual respect, and a unified production environment in an industry where those values are often overlooked.

Her credits span a wide range of broadcasters and platforms, including CBC, Amazon Prime, Crave TV, History Channel, A&E Network, BBC, PBS, TVO, and more. Recent titles include Mittens & Pants (CBC & Sky UK), Best in Miniature (CBC), and Old Enough (TVO). Shivani holds a Master’s degree from MET Film School in London, UK, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Human Resources Management from Cornell University — a unique combination that further informs her people-centered approach to production.

PRO TIP: Meeting Mentees that are coordinators, producers, or interested in the producing department.

Founder, Editor, NIMIOPERE

Raj Ramnauth is a creative editor and co-founder of Nimiopere Film Editorial, a boutique studio dedicated to bold work and emotive storytelling. Founded in 2021, Nimiopere was named North America’s #1 Edit Company by Little Black Book/The Immortal Awards in 2025—a milestone reflecting the team’s collaborative spirit and editorial precision.

Raj’s work spans global campaigns for brands like Moncler, YouTube, McDonald’s, and SickKids, as well as collaborations with artists and athletes such as Drake, Billie Eilish, Shakira, and Naomi Osaka. His approach blends technical mastery with narrative intuition, earning recognition at Cannes Lions, Clios, The One Show, and the AICP Awards, alongside an Emmy-nominated documentary and a Grammy-nominated "Video of the Year."

In music videos, Raj has quietly left his mark on pop culture, editing three videos that surpassed a billion views—including Future &Drake’s “Life Is Good,” which became YouTube’s most-watched video of 2020. Whether for brands or artists, his edits prioritize emotional resonance over flash, aiming not just to capture attention but to hold it.

PRO TIP: Meeting Mentees that are editors or in the post production department.

CHEF’S HALL is the spot to visit acclaimed local chefs, all under one roof. Toronto's very own foodie paradise where the vibe is hospitable and modern, perfect for those looking for an authentic dining experience. Guests can enjoy our timeless design in a productive space, plus there's room for the whole crew. Chef's Hall features foodie-forward menus in a fast-casual setting to access an eclectic and curated group of the city's tastiest offerings. This food hall and market has proven to be the spot for after-work drinks, meals with large groups of friends or simply a place to fulfill everyone's cravings.

Palgong Tea Canada is a bubble tea shop that specializes in creative beverages and local desserts. Established in 2019, they began with the mission to ‘create human connections over tea’ and now are partnered with local and Canada-wide organizations and brands.

Our foundation was molded from a collaboration between Palgong Tea Canada and DEAF CULTURE CENTRE. From a labour of love, our Def-T series was created — 8 delicious blends of organic, loose-leaf tea. Their flagship store opened in the heart of the Distillery District, where they share the space and connection with DEAF CULTURE CENTRE.

From then on, they have been continually creating partnerships with local and Canadian brands with a shared vision and the desire to foster connections. No longer just a bubble tea shop, but a ‘communitea’ that showcases their signature menus and local partnerships.

Iwami Sushi is a modern Japanese cuisine focused on serving quality seasonal ingredients, with a rotating saké list that pairs beautifully with sushi and the hot kitchen menu. Striving to prepare reinvented meals with their own modern twist. From fresh fish to locally sourced vegetables, Iwami Sushi is dedicated to providing an amazing experience for all.

The Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT) is an artist-run charitable organization dedicated to facilitating excellence in the moving image through media arts education and production resources. LIFT exists to provide support and encouragement for independent filmmakers and artists through affordable access to production, post-production and exhibition equipment; professional and creative development; workshops and courses; commissioning and exhibitions; artist residencies; and a variety of other services. Founded in 1981 by a small collective, LIFT has since grown to become one of the foremost centres of its kind globally.

EXNW is a unique gathering of global storytellers and cultural leaders across film, television, gaming, streaming, and animation. The summit spotlights equity-deserving creatives and connects them with industry experts, collaborators, and audiences from around the world.

The weekend will feature a mix of interactive panels, studio tour, pitching, networking opportunities, showcases, and community celebrations — all designed to spark new collaborations, amplify underrepresented voices, and shape the future of media.

Whether you’re looking to collaborate, amplify your creative voice, or spark new opportunities, EXNW 2025 is where the next generation of content and culture is shaped.

Eastern Promises celebrates East Asian cinema with regular screenings at Toronto’s Paradise Theatre.

From classics, to East Asian blockbusters, to niche experimental films, Eastern Promises screens monthly bringing audiences films new and old with cultural celebration.

Good Behaviour Ice Cream is an exciting new concept brought to you by Chef Michael Lam & Eric Chow, who, like so many people this past year, found themselves turning to ice cream as a source of comfort. Wanting to combine the nostalgia of ice cream with their experiences in professional kitchens and restaurants, Michael and Eric started Good Behaviour as a way to create (and let’s be honest, to eat!) some of the most creative and delicious ice creams in the city.

Paper and Rice Co. officially started on May 1st, 2020, coinciding with Asian Heritage Month, but it began as a "hmm" idea in 2015: nothing spoke to cultural identity in stationery stores and greeting card aisles, thus sparked an ambition.

The name Paper represents love for the beautiful material and honours one of the Four Great Inventions (四大發明). Rice represents the diaspora; it feeds and nurtures; it travels well and resiliently; it adapts and grows almost anywhere. Rice is life!

Paper & Rice Co. want their cards to be like a warm embrace, evoking a feeling of home, comfort, nostalgia and an emotional connection. Spreading joy far and near and connecting to our culture with one card at a time.

In 2018, Selina began their creative journey by using scissors and an X-Acto knife, cutting tiny pieces of paper from ripped posters, old calendars, and flyers from their mailbox, and transforming them into collages. In handcut collage, Selina found her voice.

Selina spent countless hours perfecting a style that elevates our favourite childhood memories and wants it to be art where the more you look, the more you see.

But Clever Clippings goal is simple: to help you reconnect with the things that shaped you—whether it’s anime, games, movies or cities—transforming those memories into art that sparks joy and looks amazing in your space.

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

Representing 15,000 Ontario performers, ACTRA Toronto is the largest organization within ACTRA and a strong voice for all Canadian Performers. ACTRA Toronto is the engine that powers the national union’s fight for better rates and working conditions at the bargaining table and for legislative and regulatory changes that create more work opportunities for its members and the industry.

Since 1943, ACTRA has been working with one goal: to make things better for performers. With your help, we will continue to make good on that promise. goes here

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.

At RESO our focus is on the distinct nature of the immigrant diaspora and the opportunities, realities, and stories that live within our communities and our lived experiences. RESO is founded on the core principle of collaboration to address the culture of scarcity within governmental funding bodies. These processes prevent community organizations from cooperating with one another.

DOC Institute is an initiative of the Ontario chapter of the Documentary Organization of Canada. With the aim of supporting doc-makers’ creative journeys, the DOC Institute is a hub for established and emerging voices in the non-fiction world. Through its various program streams, the organization offers essential professional development for documentary media artists of all levels.

DOC Institute holds workshops and programs aimed to accelerate and support the careers of filmmakers by providing them with educational resources, industry contacts, and creative opportunities.

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.

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.

MISAFF is proud to continue its mission to feature and spotlight new voices in South Asian Cinema and present thought-provoking and conscientious cinema that uplifts humanity and promotes peace and harmony.

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.oes here

The South Asian Canadian Film Federation is a community of dedicated filmmakers with a shared vision of elevating South Asian voices within the Canadian film industry. Our federation aims to create a vibrant platform where like-minded individuals with shared roots can connect, collaborate, and thrive. Through our networking events and partnerships with industry professionals and organizations, we provide opportunities for mentorships, funding, distribution, and job placements, ensuring our members' representation and visibility in the film fraternity.

Our commitment to promoting diversity and fostering meaningful partnerships has already made a positive impact on the Canadian film landscape. As we continue on this journey, we envision a future where South Asian Canadian filmmakers' narratives and perspectives shine prominently, enriching the cinematic tapestry with their unique stories.

Join us in advancing the art of filmmaking and creating a more inclusive and vibrant Canadian film industry. Together, we celebrate the power of storytelling and look forward to making a lasting impact in the world of Canadian cinema.

​Toronto Arab Film (TAF) is a non-profit organisation bringing films from and about the Arab world to Toronto audiences. TAF began in 2017 with the goal of addressing a lack of films from the Arab world in Toronto film programming.

It has since grown into a multifaceted organisation that promotes the diversity of Arab cultures, builds community, creates opportunities for exchange, and develops emerging artists. TAF is ultimately rooted in a desire to reinstate a tradition that has been lost over time: coming together to watch films.