Crew Connect
2026 Cohort
AHLAM HASSAN
Ahlam Hassan (she/her) is a writer, director, performer and producer for the screen and stage. She is also a programmer at the annual Toronto Palestine Film Festival. Her documentary short “DRM1000: Intro to Performance” about Black students grappling with their experiences in theatre school premiered at the 2023 Toronto Black Film Festival and has since toured across the country. She's currently developing a documentary about labour movement focused on hospitality workers at the union Unite Here Local 75.
ALESSANDRA CAMILLE PERRERAS
Alessandra Camille Perreras (she/her) is a Filipina-Canadian independent filmmaker, photographer, & artist based in Toronto, Canada. Her body of work chases themes of cultural distance and identity as well as the complexities of familial relationships in both traditional and digital mediums. Alessandra’s versatility in her art practice finds grounding in her creative vision and direction, that being her strongest asset. Having recently completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) at OCAD University in Integrated Media with a minor in Photography, Alessandra aims to work professionally in the camera department for film, theatre, and live performance.
ALEX HAIK
Alex Haik (she/her) is a filmmaker and photographer based in Toronto, working in the industry for the last five years. She currently works as a Marketing & Production Coordinator for a production company, managing social media channels and campaigns. Alex also works as an Assistant Director and loves connecting with fellow creatives — if you need something made, chances are she can create it!
ASH YEE
Ash Yee (she/they) is an emerging Chinese-Canadian writer and filmmaker based in Toronto. A self-proclaimed nerd and fangirl, their work explores identity, belonging, and the magic within everyday life. They have worked as a producer’s assistant and art assistant on various commercials, shorts and music videos. Their recent directorial debut short “Love in Deep Solitude” premiered at Reel Asian.
CATHY TANG
Cathy Tang (she/her) is an award-winning first-generation Chinese American writer-director whose works explore themes of family versus self, shame and self-acceptance, often through a comedic lens. Her latest short Spermatozoon, a comedy about the perils of IVF, has played at 15 film festivals across Canada, the US and Australia, including the 2024 Canadian Film Fest, the 2024 Toronto Sketchfest (nominee for outstanding comedy short), and the 2024 Austin Revolution Film Festival (Winner for Best International Director). Her previous award winning short films have played at numerous festivals including CAAMFEST. Cathy is a graduate of the UCLA Professional Program in Feature Screenwriting and is currently in development on an hour-long supernatural show set in Chinatown.
CHELSEA NYOMI
Chelsea Nyomi (she/they) is a Jamaican-Canadian documentary filmmaker and editor with five short documentaries and a six-part docuseries completed. She was selected as one of 30 filmmakers worldwide for the European Film Market’s Documentary Toolbox 2024 in Berlin. Her work has screened internationally at festivals and museums, aired on television, and streamed on Apple TV, CBC Gem, Crave, TSN, and OMNI. In 2025, she received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Picture Editing for Canada’s Ultimate Challenge: Season 2. Her work explores culture, identity, the environment, and marginalized communities.
(CURRY) BRADSHAW
Curry Bradshaw (aka Bradshaw off-stage) (she/her) is a stand up comedian and artist based in Toronto and New York City. She’s opened for notable comics like Usama Siddiquee (Kevin Hart’s Funny AF on Netflix), she regularly produces comedy shows in both cities, and she also MC's at major festivals and events. As an emerging writer-director, she launched her first dramatic short film titled, behen, in 2026. Her approach is rooted in collaboration, and innovation, both visually and sonically, and empowering actor-led improvisation. She’s excited to work on her next short film, but this time it’s a comedy! Known for her blunt, unbothered, and unapologetic comedic style, and an impeccable sense of fashion, she’s quickly become a standout voice in the entertainment industry.
DAAKSH BHARAT
Hi! I'm a queer South Asian (she/they) costume designer who finds joy in telling stories that center marginalized voices and challenge the status quo. I've designed for shows such as "18-35" and "Macy Murdoch" and features such as "Hunting Grounds", "Last Exmas" and "Neon Dreaming". My favourite things include: used bookstores, thrifting/vintage clothing, indie music and movie nights with friends.
DAHLIA HUSSEIN
Dahlia Hussein (she/her) is a Toronto-based multidisciplinary creative whose work spans film, fashion, and self-development. She began her journey as a creative director within the fitness space, where she developed a strong foundation in visual storytelling and brand identity, before expanding into broader creative and cultural projects.
DANIELA ROJO
Daniela Rojo (she/her) is an award-winning director, writer, and producer whose work spans narrative film, documentary, reality television, and children’s media. Her independent films Naked (2022) and Under The Same Roof (2023) gained viral success online and screened at festivals including the Toronto International Women Film Festival, Cannes International Cinema Festival, and CaribbeanTales Film Festival. She previously worked at TVO as a Digital Media Producer, creating educational content for Ontario’s largest online high school. A lesbian filmmaker of Jamaican and Chilean descent, Daniela’s work explores womanhood, sexuality, identity, mental health, and marginalized communities.
ELLA SAINI
Ella Saini (she/they) is a Filipino-Indian Canadian filmmaker based in Scarborough, ON. Working primarily in documentary and mixed media animation, her practice explores the intricate relationships between people and their environments, spotlighting narratives within marginalized communities. Their latest short unhome, a documentary about gentrification in Scarborough, was screened at the 2024 TIFF Next Wave. Ella is currently co-directing and animating Hiroshimas Per Second, a short documentary about climate anxiety, alongside Chen Sing Yap.The project won the Reel Asian So You Think You Can Pitch competition in 2024.
GRACE GORDON
Grace (she/her) is a director, writer, actor, AD, and a recent graduate of George Brown College's Video Design and Production program. She loves telling stories that seek out the humour in dark situations and uncovers moments of tragedy in lightheartedness. Originally from Montréal, she now lives in Toronto with her two cats: Archie and Pepper.
IDY BARRY
Idy Barry (she/her) is a writer, director, and producer based in Toronto. At TMU, she produced, acted in, directed and wrote for the comedy sketch series Yikes! for MetTV. As a producer, her short film Back to the Closet, premiered at TIFF’s Next Wave in 2025 and has since screened internationally, winning Best Student Film at New Cinema Film Festival Amsterdam and Best Film at Alternative Film Festival Toronto. As she’s developing her next film, Idy is also in post-production on a music video directed for Sofia Friesen. Idy’s work explores themes of blackness, womanhood, identity, and community across comedy and genre film. Passionate about creating stories by and for black women, she is drawn to emotionally grounded characters and bold, playful worlds.
JENNA SCHAEFER
Jenna Schaefer is a director, actor, choreographer, and well adjusted middle child based in Hamilton & Toronto.
With her expired knees from her dance career, Jenna transitioned into filmmaking. She recently directed an episode of Unrepentant – Iconic Women in History, a web series produced by acclaimed Canadian actress Jennifer Dale. Her debut narrative short, Nicky Nine Doors, had its world premiere at the Hamilton Film Festival and Toronto premiere at the Blood in the Snow Film Festival.
A proud Sagittarius, Jenna balances her artistic pursuits with a love for travel and scrapbooking, and a growing obsession with plants.
JENNIFER FAN JIANG
Jennifer Fan Jiang (she/her) is a Chinese writer, director and AD based in Toronto, Ontario. Her recent directing work Under The Kasaya was selected by several international film festivals. Her recent editing and producing work Rambha was selected by Cannes Short Film Corner and several other film festivals. Oftentimes, she tells stories by observing individuals and society, as well as her past experiences. She loves to explore humanity, religion and self-identities. Her favourite top 3 films are Yi Yi by Edward Yang, Fire of Love by Sara Dosa and Amour by Michael Haneke.
JENNIFER LAIWINT
Jennifer Laiwint (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker whose work spans video, movement, drawing, and performance. Her practice examines the emotional, social, and political dimensions of transformation, concealment, and recovery. Using narrative and documentary strategies, she investigates the cultural and psychosocial forces that shape how we mask, alter, or lose the self. Jennifer often adopts fictional personas such as self-help authors or “manosphere” gurus to explore the tensions between sincerity and self-invention, aspiration and coercion. She has developed work at the Banff Centre, Toronto Dance Theatre, and NARS Foundation, and presented at Western Front, SummerWorks, the Art Gallery of Mississauga, and the plumb gallery. She is currently completing her MFA in Film at York.
JORDANA ALLEN-SHIM
Jordana Valerie Allen-Shim (she/her) is an award-winning editor, director, and writer passionate about telling diverse, revolutionary cinematic stories, especially positive, empowering stories by, for, and about racialized LGBT people. She is also a dog mom, bubble tea lover, and public library enthusiast who near-exclusively reads sapphic romcoms.
JULIA BEYER AGOSTINI
Julia Beyer Agostini (she/her) is a filmmaker, screenwriter, and analog photographer, born in Paris in 1992 and currently based in Toronto. She has lived and worked extensively in Argentina before moving to Canada. “Unas sardinas” (Some Sardines) (2024), her first live-action short film, premiered at the 23rd Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF), the 9th Toronto Latin American Film Festival (LATAFF), and the 32nd San Diego Latino Film Festival (SDLFF), among others. She is a member of Le Labo and RACCORD in Toronto. She is currently developing a short film project, "Mister Downtown West", as well as her first feature project, developed under the mentorship of Canadian director and showrunner Maxime Beauchamps.
KRISTEN WALSH
I am a Producer, Photographer, and Creative Director (she/her) based in Toronto, Ontario. I hold a BFA in Film from Toronto Metropolitan University, as well as certificates for Photography and Virtual Production from Fanshawe College in London Ontario and Sheridan College in Toronto Ontario, respectively.
I am a passionate producer with an eye for bringing stories to life through both the mediums of film and photography. With years of experience in the film industry, I specializes in creative logistics and I thrive on collaboration. I enjoy working collaboratively with directors, writers, and the entire team to craft unforgettable cinematic experiences for everyone involved. My work is very influenced by pop culture and genre films such as Star Wars and Lord Of The Rings.
LAN MACDONALD
My name is Lan (she/her) and I’m a commercial production coordinator. In my free time, I love going to the movies, doing improv, pickling onions, taking long walks to new coffee shops, and creating short films. This past year, I wrote, directed, produced, and edited two short films alongside an amazing and hilarious team.
My work usually leans toward comedy, but I also really appreciate artsy indie storytelling and anything with a great twist. Right now, I’m focused on building up my director reel, and I’d love to meet other people who want to make shorts or artsy commercial content as well. I’m excited to connect with fellow writers, actors, comedy lovers, and DOPs who might want to collaborate and create together.
LU LOPEZ
Lu Lopez (he/him) is a Mexico City-born, Toronto-based filmmaker, photographer, and video editor with experience across documentary, branded, and experimental productions. Skilled in camera operation, lighting, editing, and visual storytelling, he brings a collaborative, detail-oriented approach to set environments, with a strong eye for atmosphere, emotion, and human-centered narratives.
MAFU ÉMERAUDE MBUKU
Mafu Émeraude Mbuku (she/her) is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and producer based in Scarborough. Her work has been featured on CBC Gem, Breakthroughs Film Festival, Regent Park Film Festival, Toronto Black Film Festival, CaribbeanTales International Film Festival, and St. John's International Women's Film Festival. When not making films, she makes artisan candles under her candle company, Catherine & Co.
NATALIE CASTELLINO
Director, producer, and actor (she/her), with experience in narrative, documentary, animation, and broadcast. Starting in broadcast and documentary, I made my first short doc, Behind The Berms in 2023, which screened at various festivals within Canada and abroad. I am currently writing my first narrative short film, slatted to shoot fall of 2026, which I will also be directing. I produced a short animated film this year, which will have it's world premier at Tribeca June 6 2026.
NAZ NASERIAN
Naz Naserian (she/her) is an Iranian-Canadian makeup artist with a background in painting and a passion for the transformative power of makeup artistry. Her recent work experience spans film, SFX, commercial, and beauty projects. She's a CMU College of Makeup Art & Design graduate, with an Honours BA in Visual Studies from the University of Toronto, specializing in painting and art history.
She approaches every new project and collaboration as an opportunity to master a new technique and expand her creative horizons!
NIKITA ADONI
I’m a Toronto-based Producer (she/her) with experience across film & TV, commercials, and music videos. Most recently I've worked at CBC on Family Feud & Dragons Den, and as an in house coordinator at Holt Renfrew.
I’m passionate about storytelling, people, and the collaborative process of filmmaking, and I bring a lot of care and heart to every production I’m part of. I’m excited to keep growing within production and producing roles, and am especially keen to continue learning more about narrative film and television.
QIANNA DOOKERAN
Qianna Dookeran (she/her) is a filmmaker and photographer based in Toronto, working across the creative industry. She has created short films like Paralysis (2023) and Happy Anniversary (2024), where she handled writing, directing and editing to bring personal, emotionally-driven stories to life. As an editor, she has worked in various genres, such as horror, thriller, drama, and has begun her editing journey in comedy and documentary.
Her photography has spanned across different genres, including street, portrait and editorial and have been published in over 10 independent magazines, including Lybell, Vigour, Moevir and others. She has also started covering short film sets as a BTS (Behind the Scenes) Photographer. Qianna remains passionate about storytelling and continues to pursue editing and directing as ways to explore modern culture and human connection.
ROSHNI NOVA
Multidisciplinary creative (she/her) with knowledge in art, design, advertising, marketing and filmmaking. Upon completing my bachelor's degree in Mass Communication, I discovered my passion for filmmaking. Completed a post-grad course in advanced filmmaking a year ago. I love learning new things so I am always on the look out for any new opportunities to learn. Currently honing on my post-production skills, with a deeper interest in colour grading.
SAM ABENDANIO-GUEVARA
Sam (she/they) is a T(ka)ronto-born-and-based artist, who specializes in photography and filmmaking, whose projects focus on portraying stories about placemaking, primarily by and for intersectional marginalized identities. A screenwriter, director, cinematographer, and actor whose works have screened at Femme Fatale Film Festival inside Revue Cinema, premiered at Rendezvous with Madness at CAMH, and most recently opened the Toronto Latin American Film Festival inside Innis Town Hall (for a short film which also preceded a LATAFF feature screening on National Canadian Film Day at Scotiabank Theatre).
SARA BULLOCH
Sara Bulloch (she/her) is an editor & filmmaker based on Toronto, from Winnipeg. She's edited films and series Aberdeen (TIFF 2024), Alter Boys (CBC), & Ancient Bodies (National Geographic). She recently completed Canadian Film Centre's Editors' Lab 2025. Films she's written/directed often explore mental health, relationships and identity and have screened with Gimli International Film Festival, the8fest, and Les Mains Gauches.
SHANIKA LEWIS-WADDELL
Shanika (she/her) is an experimental pop producer, composer and interdisciplinary artist who makes music under the name shn shn. She composes original music for film, dance, theatre and sound installations and her work often bridges electronic production, acoustic instrumentation, and voice. Her recent work includes the score for the A24 horror film Undertone.
SHAYÉ B
Shaye (she/they) is a filmmaker, film programmer, and art curator working at the intersection of cinema, visual culture, and community-based storytelling. Through film screenings, exhibitions, and multidisciplinary projects, their work explore themes of Blackness, queerness, identity and cultural memory while centering marginalized voices and emerging artists. As the founder of Labia Cinematica and SHIFT, Shaye creates bold and immersive cultural spaces that merge art, activism, and contemporary cinema through intentional curation and experimental storytelling.
TOOBA RAHIM
Tooba Rahim (she/her) is a film editor based in Toronto, ON. Her work often explores introspective conflicts with a strong understanding of both narrative and formal experimentation. She aims to continue pursuing uniquely dramatic works that challenge traditional mediums and perspectives.
Tooba is currently a Student Member of the CCE and will soon graduate from TMU's School of Image Arts in 2027.
VICTORIA BACANI
Victoria Bacani (she/her) is an emerging Filipino-Canadian filmmaker based in Toronto, known for her compelling storytelling and dedication to diverse narratives. A proud graduate of Sheridan College with a Bachelor’s in Film and Television, Victoria is passionate about amplifying Women and Asian-centered stories. Her films aim to challenge conventional representation in media, offering fresh and nuanced portrayals that reflect the richness of her heritage and the experiences of underrepresented communities. As she continues to hone her craft, Victoria remains committed to exploring and expanding the boundaries of storytelling in the Canadian film industry.
vbacani@outlook.com Website IG
WYNNE KWOK
Wynne Kwok (she/her) is a Hong Kong-born, Toronto-based cinematographer whose work ranges from short-form narrative to experimental film. Drawn to character studies, she is interested in using light, texture, and composition to explore emotional interiority. She loves working across different film mediums, especially 16mm. Her recent works have screened at festivals including the National Film Festival for Talented Youth, Canadian Film Fest, New York International Children's Film Festival, and Pendance Film Festival.
wynnekwk@gmail.com Website IG
YANICE LEE
Yanice Lee (she/her) is a Toronto-based filmmaker originally from Hong Kong, with a BFA in Film and Television (Directing) from HKAPA. Since relocating, she has worked across various roles on set — including art assistant, editor, and camera assistant — while independently producing her own short film projects and commercial work for brands like DioLaz and LocoRound. Always excited to meet creatives from all departments and make things together!
ZEYNEP DORAY
Zeynep Doray (she/her) is a passionate, hyper-energetic Turkish filmmaker and cinematographer based in Toronto. Her visual world is the brightest and most creative in themes of films like identity, womanhood, queer stories, coming-of-age and most personal with grief, belonging, immigration. Zeynep has worked on 15+ independent productions as crew and has served as Director of Photography on five short films. Her short film Fish Skin, which she produced, shot, edited, and colour-graded, screened at TMFF, Toronto Independent Film Festival, and Fairfield Film Showcase, and received the Achievement in Cinematography Award from Panavision Canada as well as the Streamland Media Award in Cinematography from Image Arts. She is currently completing a Master’s degree at TMU.