Kamloops, B.C.-based filmmaker Cjay Boisclair (pictured) is the winner of the Women in the Director’s Chair (WIDC)’s Advantage Award, which will support the development and packaging of her feature debut Mary (Askem Productions).

The award, launched in 2022, is a peer-juried development award presented to a WIDC alum preparing to direct their first narrative feature. It comes with a spot in the next WIDC program, a one-year mentorship and WIDC’s nomination to Telefilm Canada’s Talent to Watch program.

Mary is based on Boisclair’s concept short The Bench and follows a teenage girl with ADHD navigating homelessness and emotional isolation.

WIFT+ Toronto, foundation welcome new board members

Women in Film and Television Toronto (WIFT+ Toronto) and its foundation are welcoming two new board members each following their 2025-26 board of directors elections.

Sara McLaren, director of communications and partnerships, Bell Media; and Stephanie Wilson Chapin, strategic partner lead, TV and film, news and sports, YouTube have joined WIFT+ Toronto’s board.

Laura Clunie, Spin Master Entertainment SVP, development, current series and feature film; and Asis Sethi, Fly Away Films founder and CEO have joined the board for WIFT+ Toronto’s foundation.

The new board members were announced at WIFT+ Toronto’s annual general meeting on May 28 at Toronto’s Centre for Social Innovation: Spadina.

Outgoing board members include Umber Hamid, CEO and partner, BoomBox Sound; Nellie Lindner, VP, national practice leader, film and entertainment, BFL Canada; Sundra Sefa, senior financial analyst, Telus; and Jennifer Shin, director of development, comedy, CBC.

Additionally, Fennella Bruce, FKB Media Solutions consultant, producer and writer, will be retiring as foundation chair.

Toronto’s Reel Asian unveils multiple executive changes

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival has announced several executive changes.

According to a May 29 release, the festival has appointed Kelly Lui to the new role of associate director. Lui has been with Reel Asian for more than seven years, starting as a programming coordinator. She is also the former acquisitions lead at Ouat Media. Her new responsibilities include shaping the organization’s strategic direction.

Abby Ho is now marketing manager after joining in 2018 as a communications assistant. Ho will work with Christin Vu, director of creative marketing and communications.

Samir Ballou has had his industry and education programmer role expanded to manager. His new remit includes overseeing the development of a new writers’ program and the launch of new XR initiatives, supported by the Canada Media Fund.

The 29th edition of the festival runs Nov. 5 to 15 in Toronto and online.

Pixomondo expands Virtual Production Academy

Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Pixomondo is expanding its Virtual Production Academy (VPA) through a program in collaboration with the Vancouver Film School.

The 12-week Virtual Art Department Content Creation Certificate Program is set to begin in September and equips students and industry professionals with advanced virtual production tools and techniques.

It is designed for a global audience and pairs hands-on training with industry-led instruction to prepare participants for the field of virtual production.

“This partnership allows us to offer cutting-edge training in this rapidly expanding field and will give our students unparalleled access to the tools, workflows, and mentorship that are shaping the film and television industry,” said Vancouver Film School co-head of film production Omari Newton in a statement.

Pixomondo is a VFX and virtual production company headquartered in L.A. with Canadian offices in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

Omatidio Media’s Más Allá wins at Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival

Más Allá, the short Canada/U.S./Colombia coproduction from Venezuelan filmmaker Bettina López Mendoza, has won Best U.S. Latino Live Action Short at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF).

The film is produced by Marilyne Lamontagne, founder of Vancouver’s Omatidio Media, and Mendoza in association with Medellin, Colombia’s Querida Productora.

Más Allá follows a young girl who guides migrants through the Darién Gap, the treacherous stretch of land that connects Colombia to Panama. It was funded through support of more than 50 private financial contributors, along with partnerships from Vaudeville Sound, Kickstart Entertainment, Vérité Entertainment, Picture Sho and Pixelloid Studio.

With files from Nicholas Sokic

Photo by John Enman