#FIRSTLOOK: CANADIAN FILM CENTRE AND CBC ANNOUNCE 2025 CBC ACTORS CONSERVATORY COHORT

The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) and CBC are proud to announce a remarkable group of performers selected for the 2025 cohort of the CBC Actors Conservatory. Kicking off September 2, 2025 and running through February 27, 2026 at CFC’s Toronto campus, this prestigious program equips actors with the creative and professional tools to thrive in an ever-changing industry.

The CBC Actors Conservatory is a full-time, six-month immersive onscreen acting program designed to elevate each actor’s practice, process, community and career by strengthening their craft and confidence, expanding their onscreen portfolios, and building strong creative and professional networks. Through mentorship, intensive workshops, onscreen exercises, business sessions and practical guidance, this program empowers actors to navigate career and marketplace opportunities.

“The CBC Actors Conservatory has played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of many homegrown actors,” said Kathryn Emslie, Executive Lead, Programs, CFC. “Each year, we are inspired by the artists we encounter and thrilled to welcome them into CFC’s vibrant creative community. We’re also grateful to CBC for continuing to support this unique talent development program.”

“It is more important than ever to support Canada’s on-screen talent in developing their skills and connections, and by extension to bolster the creative industry in this country,” said Trish Williams, Executive Director, Scripted Content, CBC. “We’re proud to continue our partnership with the CFC on this crucial program, and offer congratulations to this year’s cohort of performers as they embark on this next chapter of their careers.”

Thanks to the generous support of the CBC as Lead Partner, as well as the RBC Foundation, the CBC Actors Conservatory has helped propel the careers of over 100 actors including Annie Murphy (Schitt’s Creek), Araya Mengesha (Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent), Ashton James (BoxCutter, Young Blood, Madness); Gia Sandhu (Star Trek Strange New Worlds, Stealing Vows), Giacomo Gianniotti (Wild Cards, Grey’s Anatomy), Grace Glowicki (Dead Lover), Michelle McLeod (Women Talking), Milcania Diaz-Rojas (40 Acres), Patrick Kwok-Choon (Star Trek: Discovery) and Supinder Wraich (Allegiance, Sort Of).

The 2025 Actors Conservatory residents:

Feaven Abera (She/Her/Hers) is an Ethio-Canadian actor and former fashion model based in Toronto. As a Hamilton native she began her career in print and runway modeling, appearing in fashion editorials before transitioning to screen. Always approaching her performances and style with curiosity and cultural clarity. Her early television work includes Nurses, Mayor of Kingstown, and Sort Of. In 2025, Feaven steps into a breakout season with four screen projects: a lead role in the romantic dramedy A Tribe Called Love opposite Dalmar Abuzeid; supporting roles in Netflix’s Wayward (created by Mae Martin) and Doin’ It (Lilly Singh); and a guest star appearance in the network medical drama DOC. Feaven’s sense of style has earned her recognition from FASHION Magazine and The Outset. And it’s her commitment to representing the community she didn’t see onscreen growing up that drives her work — creating space for multidimensional Black women in film and TV. Now entering her rising star era, Feaven brings an honest, visually compelling point of view to every role — and continues to share her journey as an artist actively shaping her own path.

Behtash Fazlali (He/Him/His) is an actor and first-generation immigrant from Iran. Growing up in Toronto, Ontario, he gravitated towards film as a channel to help navigate and gain a better understanding of his life between two worlds. Behtash is most noted for his performance in the short film Motherland, for which he won the Canadian Screen Award in 2024. As a rising voice in the Canadian film industry, he is committed to learning and growing with each new opportunity. To him, storytelling is a vital tool—one that can spark dialogue, foster empathy, and help bridge the gaps between people and cultures.

Brynn Godenir (She/Her/Hers) is a multi-disciplinary artist with a strong foundation in film, theatre, and movement. Originally from Winnipeg and now based in Toronto, she’s a proud prairie girl at heart. A graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada, Brynn brings a grounded, physical approach to her work—merging her movement training with a deep commitment to character and storytelling. She has appeared in notable TV shows such as Hell Motel (Shudder), Burden of Truth (CBC/CW), Coroner (CBC/CW), Law & Order: Toronto – Criminal Intent (CityTV), DOC (Fox), and Titans (HBO). Select film credits include Scared Sh*tless (Happy Cat Productions), Writing a Love Song (Vortex Media), Erase & Rewind (Clique Pictures), A Charming Valentine (CME), Take Me Back for Christmas (Hallmark) and Rich Kid (Jade Rose Films).

Adrian Pavone (They/Them/Theirs) is a Canadian Screen Award-nominated actor, born and raised in Scarborough. With most of their acting training from various studios around the city, they earned a degree at the University of Toronto for Psychology and Drama, Theatre, & Performance studies. This was where they began their journey in consequence, dramaturgy, and the inherent politicism in art. Their work focuses on the queer experience and the consequences of intersectional identities, particularly as a multi-ethnic person. Adrian was recently featured in GenV (Prime), The Hooves Belonged to the Deer (Makram Ayache; Peter Hinton-Davis), and starred in the critically-acclaimed series How to Fail as a Popstar (CBC Gem), garnering a CSA nomination.

Brian Quintero (He/Him/His) is a Canadian actor and filmmaker of Costa Rican heritage, born and raised in Toronto. A graduate of Seneca College’s Acting for Camera & Voice program, he has built a diverse body of work across film and television, fueled by a passion for performance that began at a young age. In television, he will appear in the pilot episode of Neagley, the Jack Reacher spinoff (Amazon Prime), and has a key role in The Abandons (Netflix), a highly anticipated Western series from Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter. He has also appeared in The Umbrella Academy (Netflix) and Billy the Kid (MGM+). In film, Quintero earned multiple nominations and awards for his performance as Nick Belvedere in the short film Narcissistic, and was nominated for Best Ensemble at FilmQuest for his portrayal of Aaron in the feature film The Killgrin. Next, he will star as Benito in the upcoming action-comedy feature film Karate Ghost, co-starring Tim Rozon, Jim Belushi, and Michael Jai White.

Chelsea Russell (She/Her/Hers) was born in Barbados and raised in Jamaica, she currently resides in Toronto. She studied in the Acting Conservatory at York University and has been working professionally as an actor in theatre, TV and film. Most recently Chelsea played as Beyonsea in Beyonsea & The Mothers at Green Light Arts (2025). She is also known for plays like Fairview (2023) at Canadian Stage, Soulpepper’s Pipeline (2022) and Soulpepper’s Da Kink In My Hair (2023).
She is passionate about working in afro-centric theatre, TV and film especially in these trying times. She is pleased to mention that she has been nominated for a Canadian Screen Award, a DORA and an Actra Award. Some credits include Fellow Travellers (Showtime), Skymed (Paramount Plus), Rebirth of the Afronauts (CBC Gem), Tiny Pretty Things (Netflix), See (Apple TV) and the upcoming season of Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

Shona Struthers (They/She/He) Shona is a multi-disciplinary theatre artist, being an actor, sound designer, combatant, technician, and fight coordinator. They are a UBC Acting graduate, Intermediate FDC Actor Combatant, Advanced BADC Actor Combatant, former Pacific Theatre apprentice, Affair of Honor Creative Associate & Company Member, a many-hat-wearer. They have performed with ITSAZOO Productions (Under the Needle & Sunrise Betties Workshops), Affair of Honor (Playthings, Soul Samurai), Pacific Theatre (Mother of the Maid, Christmas Presence), With A Spoon & Rumble Theatre (The Wolves). They have sound designed and assisted for The Search Party, Alley Theatre, Rumble Theatre, Pacific Theatre, Presentation House Theatre, Arts Umbrella, Western Gold, Affair of Honor. They have performed in a slew of short films, and are the recipient of Run & Gun’s Best Ensemble Award (2024) and Run & Gun’s Best Performance Nominee (2024).

Rosalie Tremblay (She/Her/Hers) is a bilingual (English and French) actor, and stand-up comedian, originally from Vancouver Island BC. A graduate of the National Theatre School, she works professionally both on screen, and stage. Most notably, Clue (The Grand, The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre.) She has performed her stand up across Canadian cities, and is now based in Toronto, ON.

For more information, visit cfccreates.com.