Anthony Q. Farrell (Shelved, pictured left) and the Reelworld Film Festival and Screen Institute were honoured as the award recipients of ACTRA Toronto’s eighth annual Sandi Ross Awards at a private event during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

Farrell is a Toronto comedian, actor, writer and showrunner who created the CTV sitcom Shelved.

The Reelworld Screen Institute is a non-profit that provides training, programs and events for racially-diverse talent. The organization also runs the Reelworld Film Festival, which celebrates stories by racialized Canadians. Founder Tonya Willams (pictured right) accepted the award on behalf of Reelworld.

Each year, ACTRA recognizes one individual and one company or organization that demonstrate a commitment to inclusion on screen. The awards are named after Sandi Ross, the first woman and person of colour to be president of ACTRA Toronto. Ross died before the award’s first presentation in 2016.

Mlle Bottine to have world premiere at SCHLiNGEL Film Festival in Germany

Yan Lanouette Turgeon’s Mlle Bottine will have its world premiere at the SCHLiNGEL Film Festival in Chemnitz, Germany on Sept. 29.

Mlle Bottine, inspired by the 1986 Quebec children’s comedy Bach et Bottine, is written by Dominic James and produced by James from Les Productions La Fête along with Attraction’s Antonello Cozzolino and Brigitte Léveillé. It is distributed in Canada by Immina Films and internationally by Attraction Distribution.

The film is slated for theatrical release in Canada on Nov. 29. It was funded with support from SODEC, Telefilm Canada, Fonds Québecor, Groupe TVA, Immina Films and Attraction Distribution.

CaribbeanTales Media Group announces winners of 15th annual The Big Pitch

The CaribbeanTales Media Group (CTMG) has announced the winners of their 15th annual edition of The Big Pitch, in partnership with TIFF.

The competitive event highlights creators from the CaribbeanTales Black Incubator and Studio Access Project. This year’s winners were chosen from a pool of 18 pitches.

The winners and their pitches are Alexander Nunez in first place for the series The Morenos; Tope Babalola in second place for the youth series Benjamin Ojo; and Choltu Curlin in third place for the feature documentary Blackhurst.

The honourable mentions were Shaista Roshan for the series Forgotten Queens and Shane LaTouche for the series Bashment City.

For finishing in first place, Nunez will receive a prize package that includes equipment rental from Panavision valued up to $15,000; a six-month mentorship with Freddie Films/Floyd Kane; three hours of legal consultation with Edwards Creative Law; a development meeting with CBC’s Paige Murray and a $10,000 post-production package from Purple Dog Post.

Also included in the prize package is distribution consultation with Capital Motion; a one-year membership to JustWatchMe.Tv;  Canadian Academy membership; and Women in Film and Television (WIFT) Toronto membership.

Image courtesy of ACTRA Toronto