#FIRSTLOOK: CANADA’S WALK OF FAME FUTURE STORYTELLERS PROGRAM SHORTS PREMIERE JANUARY 31, 2025

 Canada’s Walk of Fame is set to release five short vignettes by emerging Canadian filmmakers of the 2024 Future Storytellers program, each telling the story of one of Canada’s greatest achievers and leading changemakers. Presented by founding partner NBCUniversal, Seeing Red and new partner Cineplex, the 3-minute vignettes will premiere on Friday, January 31 at canadaswalkoffame.com, with Future Storytellers highlight reels running in Cineplex theatres nationwide as part of the pre-show entertainment.

(L-R: Yagnam and Linda Schuyler, Arshia Prajapati and Andy Kim, Anne Hoang and Autumn Peltier, Lorraine Segato and Poppi Fella Pellegrino, Nick Tablac and Kurt Browning)

Shot on location in Toronto in July 2024, the Canada’s Walk of Fame Future Storytellers vignettes each showcase the vision of the chosen up and coming Canadian filmmakers from Humber Polytechnic and Sheridan College telling the stories of Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductees and Honourees. Pairings include world champion figure skater Kurt Browning (2001 Inductee) with Nick Tablac (Humber Polytechnic graduate); iconic pop rock singer-songwriter Andy Kim (2018 Inductee) and Arshia Prajapati (Sheridan College graduate); International Indigenous Rights and Water Activist Autumn Peltier (2023 Community Hero; program presented by MLSE and Seeing Red) with Anne Hoang (Humber Polytechnic graduate); co-creator of the iconic Canadian youth culture phenomenon, Degrassi (2023 Inductee), Linda Schuyler with Yagnam (Humber Polytechnic graduate); and lead vocalist/guitarist of Toronto-based music collective,The Parachute Club (2023 Inductee), Lorraine Segato and Poppi Fella Pellegrino (Sheridan College graduate).

“The Future Storytellers initiative provides an incredible platform to uplift emerging filmmakers, delivering invaluable mentorship from esteemed industry leaders, forging crucial industry connections, and representing diverse voices from underrepresented communities,” says Jeffrey Latimer, CEO of Canada’s Walk of Fame. “We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on creative young talents as they share the remarkable journeys of five inspiring Canadians through their own lens.”

THE 2024 CANADA’S WALK OF FAME FUTURE STORYTELLERS

FILMMAKER: ANNE HOANG, Graduate of Humber Polytechnic

Subject: 2023 Canada’s Walk of Fame Community Hero, Indigenous Rights and Water Activist Autumn Peltier

Hoang’s Canadian dream began in 2019 when her family moved to P.E.I. from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. She hopes her work will inspire other Asian creatives to showcase their unique stories and talents in the Canadian media. “The visual inspiration behind my vignette was drawn from the beauty of nature, specifically the reflection of water. Water is a big part of Autumn’s work and the island where my family used to live,” says Hoang.

FILMMAKER: POPPI FELLA PELLEGRINO, Graduate of Sheridan College

Subject: 2023 Inductee, lead vocalist/guitarist of the music collective,The Parachute Club, Lorraine Segato

A member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Pellegrino was excited to highlight Segato’s contribution to Canadian queer culture as well as her activism and politically driven musical style. “From the music to the vibrant colors, every element of the segment was designed to reflect her incredible spirit,” says Pellegrino.

FILMMAKER: ARSHIA PRAJAPATI, Graduate of Sheridan College

Subject: 2018 Inductee, celebrated Canadian pop rock singer-songwriter, Andy Kim

Prajapati is an Indian-born director and cinematographer who immigrated to Canada in 2019. Through filmmaking, she finds her voice as a woman of colour. “While the vignette takes aesthetic inspiration from the 70s, I was also inspired by Andy Kim’s journey not only as a Canadian singer, but as a child of immigrants, something that I, and so many Canadians can connect to,” says Prajapati.  

FILMMAKER: NICK TABLAC, Graduate of Humber Polytechnic

Subject: 2001 Inductee, world champion figure skater Kurt Browning

Tablac is a queer emerging filmmaker from Manila, Philippines. His interest in filmmaking blossomed after immigrating to Canada with his family and observing a film set at work in front of his Toronto home. “Creating this vignette has taught me about the beauty behind vulnerability, and how experiences specific to each individual can help shape a person’s success,” says Tablac.

FILMMAKER: YAGNAM DHROOV, Graduate of Humber Polytechnic

Subject: co-creator of the iconic youth culture phenomenon, Degrassi and 2023 Inductee, Linda Schuyler

Yagnam moved to Canada from India in 2022. He grew up learning about the world through his collection of Western films. In preparation for filming his vignette about Schuyler, Yagnam watched every season of Degrassi. “It was Linda’s personal connection with the world of adolescence that I wanted to explore in the vignette – to shed some light on the personal truths and memories that are at the core of Linda’s grand legacy as the creator of Degrassi,” says Yagnam.

“We are very excited to extend our partnership with Canada’s Walk of Fame on such a meaningful initiative for up-and-coming filmmakers,” said Sara Moore, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Cineplex. “Storytelling is the heartbeat of our industry and one we delight in bringing to Canadians across our country. We look forward to showcasing emerging talent at our locations and continuing to recognize, support and celebrate Canadian arts and culture.”

“The emerging directors in this year’s program have really showcased their impressive technical abilities and storytelling talents. Each of their films demonstrates a deep and thoughtful understanding of their subjects and a unique creative vision. These projects prove these young artists are ready to make a meaningful impact in the film industry,” said Bryan Porter, Founder & Shakohén:te’s, Seeing Red.

The Future Storytellers program thrives through strategic partnerships with NBCUniversal, Seeing Red, Cineplex, and educational pillars such as Humber Polytechnic and Sheridan College. These collaborations enhance Canada’s Walk of Fame’s mission, providing emerging filmmakers with mentorship from cinematic and cultural pioneers, and showcasing their final works in high-profile venues, including the annual Canada’s Walk of Fame celebration and on Cineplex screens across the country.

Since its inception in 2022, this initiative has championed the unique visions of 13 student filmmakers, each selected for their capability to infuse new life into the Canadian cinematic narrative. The program has captured over a quarter million impressions across digital platforms, and growing. Past profiles include Director X (2022 Inductee), Wendy Crewson (2015 Inductee), Jully Black (2021 Inductee), Graham Greene (2021 Inductee), Donovan Bailey (2017 Inductee), Jeanne Beker (2016 Inductee), Veronica Tennant (2001 Inductee), and Kardinal Offishall (2023 Allan Slaight Music Impact Honouree).

Click here to watch vignettes from past participants.

About Canada’s Walk of Fame

Canada’s Walk of Fame gratefully acknowledges the support of its 2025 Partners: Seeing Red, Cineplex Entertainment, The Slaight Family Foundation, RBC, Air Canada, MLSE, Scotiabank, NBCUniversal, VIA Rail Canada, Next Magazine, The Printing House, and Wildeboer Dellelce LLP.

Canada’s Walk of Fame is an award-winning national not-for-profit charitable organization that inspires Canadians by proudly shining a light on the journeys of Canada’s most extraordinary achievers. Canada’s Walk of Fame recognizes the significant impact of Canadian accomplishments and provides the foremost national platform to celebrate achievement in the fields of Arts & Entertainment, Sports & Athletics, Entrepreneurship & Philanthropy, Humanitarianism, and Science, Technology & Innovation. Current honours and programs include the Allan Slaight Music Impact Honour, RBC Emerging Musician Program, Future Storytellers, the Community Hero and National Hero Programs, the Hometown Stars initiative, including charitable donations to our Inductees’ causes, and the nationally televised broadcast designated by the CRTC as a program of national interest. Canada’s Walk of Fame has over 230 inductions to date, with stars having a permanent place of tribute on the streets of Toronto’s Entertainment District. For a complete list of Inductees and Honourees along with more information on Canada’s Walk of Fame, visit: www.canadaswalkoffame.com

Canada’s Walk of Fame was established in 1998 by founders Bill Ballard, Dusty Cohl and Peter Soumalias, with Dianne Schwalm and in partnership with Gary Slaight.