Executive Producer/Partner, SCHOOL EDITING

Yumi Suyama, entered the advertising industry 15 years ago as an assistant editor, before transitioning into a producer role.

Now, she is an Executive Producer and Partner at one of Toronto’s most awarded post production shops, School Editing.

Yumi’s passion for the industry and her invaluable knowledge of commercial production has played a key role in helping her clients and editors achieve unprecedented milestones.

PRO TIP: Meeting Mentees with a focus in any aspect of post production.

Vice President/Executive Producer, WINDY ISLE ENTERTAINMENT

Shereen Ali is the Vice President and Executive Producer of Windy Isle Entertainment. She has had 20 years experience producing content for kids and adults across various platforms including SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES (TVO), THE ZONE (YTV) and ACCORDING TO KIDS (CBC GEM).

Her current show, MITTENS & PANTS - a live-action preschool series (CBC, SKY KIDS) - can be seen around the world in 14 languages.

Shereen is always excited to meet people in the industry and collaborate with like-minded people who strive to bring new voices and perspectives to the media landscape.

PRO TIP: Meeting Mentees that are Producers, Directors and Writers in kids, lifestyle and drama.

Creative Director, Owner FORT YORK VFX

Michael Bishop is the creative director and owner of Fort York VFX, a Toronto-based visual effects shop specializing in colour grading, compositing, animation, motion design and graphics, and Rooster Post Production a boutique editorial house. His team has been a part of numerous award winning campaigns and his work on Deepa Mehta’s film, Funny Boy, garnered him a nomination for Achievement in Visual Effects from the Academy of Canadian Cinema.

PRO TIP: Meeting Mentees with a focus in Post and/or VFX.

TV Writer, RUN THE BURBS, SHELVED

Jay Vaidya is a Toronto-based television writer who has written for shows such as Emmy award-winning Odd Squad (PBS/TVOKids), Detention Adventure (CBC/HBO Max), the hour-long YA mystery series The Hardy Boys (Nelvana/Hulu/Netflix), and Ruby and the Well (Shaftesbury/Family Channel). She was recently a writer and Co-Executive Producer for primetime comedies Run the Burbs (CBC/CW/Hulu), Shelved (CTV/Bell Media), and YA drama Beyond Black Beauty for Amazon. Currently, she’s in development on several projects.

PRO TIP: Meeting Mentees that are Comedy and YA Drama Writers.

Executive in Charge of Development, Comedy, CBC

As Executive in Charge of Development for CBC Comedy, Sarah is responsible for developing high quality, impactful original scripted comedy series for the network’s development slate. Prior to joining CBC, she served as Creative Executive at Northwood Entertainment (Anne With An E, The Grizzlies) where she managed their slate of television and feature film projects in development and production. Sarah started her career as a coordinator for independent film and digital series (How to Buy a Baby, Detention Adventure, We are Savvy). She also volunteers on a number of initiatives including co-facilitating AccessCBC, an initiative for creators with disabilities and as an advocate for the Academy Executive Residency Program.

As an award-winning producer and creative executive, Sarah is dedicated to discovering and nurturing underrepresented voices with fresh perspectives and producing work that changes culture and explores stories that have yet to be told.

PRO TIP: Meeting Mentees that are Comedy Writers, Creative Executives and Producers.

Actor, Comedian, Writer, Host, RUN THE BURBS, KIM’S CONVENIENCE

Andrew Phung is an actor, comedian, writer, and host best known for his work as Kimchee on the hit TV series Kim's Convenience. He won five consecutive Canadian Screen Awards in the category of "Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series" for his work on the show. His recent credits include Wynonna Earp, Events Transpiring, and Last One Laughing on Amazon Prime.

He is currently the co-creator, star, and executive producer of the comedy series Run the Burbs on the CBC/CW/Hulu. He recently received his second consecutive CSA nomination for "Best Lead Performer Comedy", and can be heard regularly on CBC Radio's Because News and the Debaters.

PRO TIP: Meeting Mentees that are mid-level filmmakers.

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.

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.

ArtketGoods creates unique and high-quality products that promote cultural diversity and self-care, combining Eastern and Western influences. From Asian-inspired candles that evoke childhood memories to products that inspire positive emotions, encourage meaningful conversations and allow self-expression, ArtketGoods strives to bring joy to the world through shared interests in food, culture, and travel.

A collaboration between Ramen Isshin and Ryu’s Noodle Bar, Tempura Keisuke combined forces to provide an authentic Japanese Tempura experience. Indulge in their Japanese tendon (rice bowls) made using Koshihikari rice or an Udon Noodle bowl to satisfy your cravings.

From the creators of Tempura Keisuke, Ramen Takao is their latest endeavour featuring fresh takes on ramen.

Opening soon in Chef’s Hall Toronto.

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 THE FUTURE OF RACIALIZED GLOBAL STORYTELLING AND ENTERTAINMENT ACROSS ALL CONTINENTS.

We are no longer waiting for the establishment to approve or find value in our stories and content. Instead, EXNW is the mechanism to build our own table.

EXNW will 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.

Annually, racialized creators will be invited to EXNW to gather, network, share wisdom, and celebrate connections while simultaneously bridging the gap between creatives of colour from different communities.

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

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.

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.

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.

​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.

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.