Reelworld Film Festival
| Location | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2001 |
| Festival date | October 20–27, 2021 |
| Website | www |
Reelworld Film Festival, founded in 2001 by Tonya Williams, is held annually in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[1] The festival screens film and provides professional development for Canadian racially diverse and indigenous filmmakers and media artists.[2]
History[edit]
Reelworld was founded by Tonya Williams, who noted the lack of opportunities for minorities to break into the film industry.[3] The festival's mandate states that they showcase diverse work from Canada and abroad while bringing together assorted communities.
Reelworld has started a number of initiatives directed towards diverse artists. In 2020 Williams launched Access Reelworld, a casting database to help publicize and promote minority actors.[4]
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, the 2020 festival was presented entirely online.[5]
In 2024, Williams was named the recipient of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television's Changemaker Award at the 12th Canadian Screen Awards, for her work with Reelworld.[6]
2021 ReelWorld Film Festival[edit]
The 21st annual ReelWorld Film Festival was held from October 20 to 27, 2021 in Toronto.
Award winners[edit]
| Award | Winner | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding Feature Film Award | In the Rumbling Belly of Motherland (Brishkay Ahmed) | |
| Outstanding Feature Film Director | Kaveh Nabatian, Without Havana (Sin la Habana) | |
| Outstanding Feature Film Writer | Kaveh Nabatian and Pablo D. Herrera Veitia, Without Havana (Sin la Habana) | |
| Outstanding Feature Film Producer | Brishkay Ahmed, In the Rumbling Belly of Motherland | |
| Outstanding Feature Film Actor | Yonah Acosta Gonzales, Without Havana (Sin la Habana) | |
| Outstanding Feature Film Actress | Aki Yaghoubi, Without Havana (Sin la Habana) | |
| Outstanding Feature Film Cinematographer | Juan Pablo Ramirez, Without Havana (Sin la Habana) |
2022 ReelWorld Film Festival[edit]
The 22nd annual ReelWorld Film Festival was held from October 11 to 17, 2022 in Toronto.[7]
Award winners[edit]
| Award | Winner | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding Feature Film Award | Golden Delicious (Jason Karman) | [8] |
| Outstanding Feature Film Director | Jason Karman, Golden Delicious | |
| Outstanding Feature Film Writer | Gorrman Lee, Golden Delicious | |
| Outstanding Feature Film Producer | Ivan Madeira, Pattern | |
| Outstanding Feature Film Actor | Cardi Wong, Golden Delicious | |
| Outstanding Feature Film Actress | Jayne Kamara, Bite of a Mango | |
| Outstanding Feature Film Cinematographer | Kaveh Nabatian, Kite Zo A: Leave the Bones | |
| Audience Choice Award | Ron Dias and Joanne Jansen, Bite of a Mango |
2023 ReelWorld Film Festival[edit]
The 23rd annual ReelWorld Film Festival was held from November 1 to 7, 2023 in Toronto.
Award winners[edit]
| Award | Winner | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding Feature Film Award | Kim Albright, With Love and a Major Organ | [9] |
| Outstanding Feature Film Director | Jamila Pomeroy, Union Street | |
| Outstanding Feature Film Writer | Lonzo Nzekwe, Orah | |
| Outstanding Feature Film Producer | Gavin Baird, A Storm Blows Over | |
| Outstanding Feature Film Actor | Hamza Haq, With Love and a Major Organ | |
| Outstanding Feature Film Actress | Oyin Oladejo, Orah | |
| Outstanding Feature Film Cinematographer | Leo Harim, With Love and a Major Organ |
References[edit]
- ^ Marina Hanna, "Toronto filmmakers to watch at Reelworld Film Festival". Hamilton Spectator, October 13, 2020.
- ^ Byron Armstrong, "Tonya Williams Marks 19 Years Celebrating Black Stories On Screen At ReelWorld Film Festival". ByBlacks, October 10, 2019.
- ^ "ReelWorld Film Festival to show off artists of varied ethnic backgrounds". Cape Breton Post, November 25, 2000.
- ^ Chris Jancelewicz, "Tonya Williams, former ‘Y&R’ star, launches Access Reelworld to help racially diverse Canadians". Global News, October 6, 2020.
- ^ "Toronto filmmakers to watch at Reelworld: This year's film fest features a lineup that's all-Canadian, racialized". Toronto Star, October 13, 2020.
- ^ Connie Thiessen, "Marilyn Denis, John Brunton among Canadian Academy ‘Special Award’ recipients". Broadcast Dialogue, March 19, 2024.
- ^ Marriska Fernandes (October 12, 2022). "'They will be the next big names of tomorrow': Reelworld Film Festival returns to Toronto and online". Toronto Star.
- ^ Victoria Ahearn (October 20, 2022). "Golden Delicious wins four Reelworld Film Festival prizes". Playback. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
- ^ Taimur Sikander Mirza, "With Love and a Major Organ wins $25,000 prize at Reelworld". Playback, November 14, 2023.