#FIRSTLOOK: CANADIAN FILM CENTRE ANNOUNCE 2025 NORMAN JEWISON FILM PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) is proud to unveil the 19 participants selected for the 2025 Norman Jewison Film Program, CFC’s premier professional development initiative for emerging to mid-level Canadian directors, writers, producers, and editors. This program continues to play a crucial role in shaping the voices and careers of many of Canada’s leading screen-based storytellers and has had a profound impact on the country’s film and television industries. The program is generously supported by Netflix as a lead partner for the third consecutive year and will run from July 14 to December 12, 2025, at the CFC campus in Toronto.

“Each year, we’re inspired by the calibre of talent coming through the Norman Jewison Film Program, and 2025 is no exception,” said Kathryn Emslie, Executive Lead, Programs at the CFC. “This year’s storytellers offer up an exciting range of authentic creative voices and inventive storytelling that reflect Canada’s vibrant culture. We’re excited to welcome them into our CFC community and to be a part of this next chapter in their journeys.”

With Netflix’s continued support, the 2025 cohort will have the opportunity to advance their narrative storytelling and business skills, grow their body of work while developing and producing original new content, and expand their creative community.

“The Norman Jewison Film Program remains a pillar in developing Canadian screen talent,” said Lindsay Doyle, Director, Global Affairs, Netflix Canada. “We’re proud to support this initiative that equips creators with the tools and opportunities to thrive and enrich our industry with compelling, original stories.”

The 2025 residents of the Norman Jewison Film Program (Bios below):

Directors’ Lab:
Haaris Qadri
Hiromu Yamawaki
Luwam Tekeste
Ryan Leedu
Vanessa Sandre

Editors’ Lab:
Beth Biederman
Nathan Martinak
Sara Bulloch
Shetu Modi

Producers’ Lab:
Amanda Pileggi
Anastasia Itkina
Emmanuel Kabongo
Momo Daud
Torrin Blades

Writers’ Lab:
Beatriz Yuste
Berend McKenzie
Brianna Russell
Laura Stubbs
Walker MacDonald

The Norman Jewison Film Program aims to elevate talented professionals to go on to become among Canada’s leading storytellers. Some of the award-winning alumni of this program include Alyson Richards (Children Ruin Everything), Anar Ali (Allegiance), Ann Marie Fleming (Can I Get A Witness), Anna Catley (Paying For It), Clement Virgo (Brother), Don McKellar (Last Night), Erin Haskett (Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent), Gareth C Scales (The Salt Path), Kaveh Mohebbi (Queen Tut), Marc Tétreault (Sharp Corner), Maureen Grant (Sort Of), Naomi Jaye (Darkest Miriam), Reza Dahya (Boxcutter), Sarah Polley (Women Talking), and Zarrar Khan (In Flames).

Learn more about the Norman Jewison Film Program here. The Norman Jewison Film Program is generously supported by lead partners Netflix and Telefilm Canada, Program Partner The Norman and Margaret Jewison Family Foundation, and Contributing Partner DGC Ontario.

For more information, visit cfccreates.com.

BIOS
Directors’ Lab:

Haaris Qadri (He/Him, Brampton, ON) is a filmmaker who has written and directed “majboor-e-mamool”, “Kashif” and most recently a short that is entering the festival circuit “Jo Mera, Woh Tumhara.” He aims to make films that blend the authenticity of naturalism with the vividness of a painter’s realism. His works delve into the essence of everyday life, capturing the subtle moments that evoke deep emotions and perhaps change. Haaris is drawn to diasporic narratives, exploring themes of identity, familial fragmentation, and the nuances of intergenerational dynamics.

Hiromu Yamawaki (He/Him, Vancouver, BC) is a Vancouver-based writer and director from Tottori, Japan. Informed by his experiences living abroad, his work focuses on intercultural experiences and bilingual storytelling. Since graduating with a B.A. (Hons) in Film Studies from Carleton University and a diploma in Film Production from Vancouver Film School, he has created three short films, Okuribi, Counting Days, and Stand In — which have been screened at over 20 film festivals around the world. He is committed to advancing Asian representation both on screen and behind the camera.

Luwam Tekeste (She/Her, Toronto, ON) is a Toronto-based filmmaker and creative producer with nearly a decade of experience across film, television, and commercial production. A graduate of York University’s Cinema and Media Studies program, Luwam is driven by a deep commitment to storytelling that explores identity, morality, and the layered experiences of intersectionality. Her body of work includes short films such as “Other”, “Mother Tita”, “Illegal(ized)” and “Judas Goat”, projects that center characters often excluded from mainstream narratives. She brings an intentional, research-driven approach to her work, drawing from lived experience, historical context, and a desire to provoke meaningful dialogue. Luwam is a proud alumna of Black Women Film! Canada and is dedicated to developing bold, character-driven stories that sit at the intersection of social inquiry and emotional truth.

Ryan Leedu (He/Him, Edmonton, AB) is a filmmaker from the Canadian prairies. Interested in exploring thoughtful and complex human stories, and experimenting with matters of style, narrative, and formal technique, Ryan is dedicated to making bold, original, and relevant films. Inspired by filmmakers as diverse as Kiarostami, Godard, Kieślowski, Varda, Wenders, Yang, Fassbinder, and Claire Denis, Ryan has a broad array of cinematic influences. He is interested in films that are patient, stylistically and narratively innovative, and above all, rooted in a sense of time and place that is socially / artistically / politically relevant to the present. Ryan’s short films have played at various festivals around North America, including the Canadian Film Fest, Vancouver and Edmonton International Film Festivals, Toronto Arthouse and Montreal Independent Film Festivals, Palm Springs International ShortsFest, and others. He recently participated in the “Talent Lab” of the 2024 Reykjavik International Film Festival, designed for emerging filmmakers working toward their first feature. Alongside developing his narrative film projects, Ryan directs music videos and commercials, and is also one of the most in-demand location scouts around Alberta. He currently sits on the board as President of the Film and Video Arts Society of Alberta (FAVA).

Vanessa Sandre (She/Her, Toronto, ON) is a Brazilian filmmaker based in Toronto, Canada. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Film and a Master’s degree in Literature focused on Women and Gender Studies. Vanessa has cultivated a diverse career as a screenwriter, director, producer, and performer for the last 15 years. As a Latina immigrant and artist, she finds inspiration in crafting narratives that amplify underrepresented voices through a decolonial and intersectional feminist lens. ‘The Pleasure is All Mine’ (O Prazer é Todo Meu, 2023) is her latest fictional short film and addresses the taboo subject of female sexuality in old age. Filmed in Brazil, it has been selected for over 40 film festivals worldwide, including the 32nd MixBrasil, Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+, and the 35th St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival. The short also received 30 awards, including ‘Best of the Showcase’ and ‘Audience Award’ at the 2024 WIFT + Toronto Showcase. Vanessa was a participant in the 2024 Creators of Colour Incubator (CCI), and the Career Advancement Module of the Women in Director’s Chair (WIDC) program.

Editors’ Lab:

Beth Biederman (They/Them, Toronto, ON) is an editor with over 15 years of experience in Canada, New Zealand and Australia. They have worked on a variety of projects, including documentary, reality, current affairs and children’s programming. A recent Canadian Cinema Editors Award nominee (2025), Beth is a passionate storyteller who strives to bring a sense of humor and realness to every project. Credits include: Canada’s Drag Race, Made for TV with Boman Martinez-Reid, Bondi Vet, The Project, Gaby’s Farm and My Restaurant in India.

Nathan Martinak (He/Him, Toronto, ON) has edited episodes of many family television projects, including Jane for Apple TV+, Beyond Black Beauty for Amazon Prime Video and Get Curious with Kamala Harris for YouTube Originals. He was also nominated for CCE and CSA awards for his work on Endlings and Odd Squad, respectively. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto, and is an alumnus of Sheridan College’s Advanced Television and Film program. Nathan also adopted his dog Linus after falling in love with him while editing CBC’s Mittens and Pants.

Sara Bulloch (She/Her, Winnipeg, MB) has edited films and series like ABERDEEN (TIFF 2024), ALTER BOYS (CBC), ANCIENT BODIES (National Geographic), and numerous short films including I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY BODY, which won Audience Choice Award at Gimli Film Fest. Short films she’s often written/directed explore mental health, identity and relationships, and have screened with the8fest, Toronto Jewish Film Fest and Les Mains Gauches. Her short film HOT DOG GUY won People’s Choice Award at Vox Popular Film Fest. She’s also a motion graphics artist and community organizer. From 2019-2023, she organized OurToba Film Network & Fest for women, non-binary and gender diverse Manitobans in film.

Shetu Modi (She/Her, Toronto, ON) is a picture editor with over 10 years of experience cutting factual content in newsrooms, including The Canadian Press, HuffPost Canada and Entertainment Tonight Canada. She is also a writer and director whose short films focus on the inner struggles of anxious and immature South Asian women. She’s often chosen to edit narrative content centered around similar characters, especially in the realms of comedy and drama. Post-production is her favourite stage of the filmmaking process, and she edits all her own projects. Her short dramedy “The Pits” screened at 15 festivals worldwide and won three audience choice awards; and her latest film, “Fan Girl,” is currently streaming on CBC Gem. She shoots and edits the YouTube cooking series “Smita’s Eats.” Shetu holds a BFA in film production from York University and an MA in journalism from Western.

Producers’ Lab:

Amanda Pileggi (She/Her, Toronto, ON) is an entertainment professional with 10+ years of experience in scripted creative development, production, business affairs, and community arts programming. Pileggi produced the feature RACEWALKERS, winner of the Unstoppable Feature Grand Jury Prize at the 2025 Slamdance Film Festival, co-produced CODE 8: PART II (Netflix) starring Robbie Amell and Stephen Amell, which achieved the #1 spot on Netflix’s Top Ten globally, and associate produced FLOAT (Wattpad Studios, Lionsgate, Elevation). In television, she held development and production roles at Temple Street and Boat Rocker Media, and was Head of Development at Archipelago Productions, where she championed the mini-series CONTENT FARM (CBC Gem). She is the 2024 recipient of the TIFF Share Her Journey fellowship through the TIFF Series Accelerator program. Pileggi got her start at arts festivals (Luminato & TIFF) before managing the Regent Park Film Festival and its year-round programming for over four years. She holds a B.A. from McGill University and Certificate in Entertainment Law from Osgoode Hall.

Anastasia Itkina (She/Her, Vancouver, BC) is a Ukrainian-Canadian writer, producer, and sometimes director based in Vancouver. Born in Ukraine, she was raised in a Reform Ashkenazi community in Kyiv and later moved to Vienna and then Vancouver to study film at Simon Fraser University. Her debut short film, Hiraeth (2023) premiered at the Oscar-qualifying Festival du Nouveau Cinéma, was nominated for the Scythian Deer award at Molodist IFF, and was screened at Vancouver’s Cinematheque. Her recently produced short film My Dad, The Rockstar is premiering at Tribeca Film Festival 2025 in New York.

Emmanuel Kabongo (He/Him, Toronto, ON) is an award-winning actor, producer, and creator whose work spans film, television, and digital media. Known for bringing depth and emotional truth to his performances, Kabongo has earned three Canadian Screen Award nominations for standout roles in Teenagers, Death She Wrote, and Chateau Laurier. His critically acclaimed performance in the breakout feature Sway, which he also produced, further solidified his reputation as a dynamic leading man and visionary storyteller. Kabongo’s creative voice extends beyond acting—he has produced and co-created several short films and digital series, including the award-winning Teenagers and A Man’s Story, both praised for their authenticity and cultural relevance. His work has been featured in major festivals such as the Pan African Film Festival, the Toronto Black Film Festival, and the Montreal International Black Film Festival. A graduate of the Canadian Film Centre’s Actors Conservatory and a recipient of multiple accolades—including Best Actor and Best Producer—Kabongo continues to build a body of work that reflects his passion for bold, character-driven storytelling. Whether in front of or behind the camera, he is committed to crafting stories that resonate across cultures and communities.

Momo Daud (He/Him, Brampton, ON) is a Pakistani-Canadian creative producer based in Toronto. With a background in both the camera and production departments, he brings a sharp visual sensibility and extensive on-set experience to his work, making him a highly versatile producer. His debut feature as lead producer, HIS FATHER’S SON, was awarded Telefilm Canada’s Talent to Watch grant, and won the Audience Choice Award at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. The film has been acquired by Mongrel Media for a theatrical release in Canada, followed by a streaming release on Crave. He’s produced several short films, including his award-winning directorial debut RUBY (2021), and CUL-DE-SAC (2023). In addition, he works as a production manager on independent features and TV movies. As lead producer, Momo is currently in-development on his second feature, EXP, which has also received financial support from the Talent to Watch program. Through his work, Momo is focused on telling bold, impactful stories about human connection that have global appeal and strong commercial viability.

Torrin Blades (He/Him, Toronto, ON) is a creative producer committed to bold, director-driven projects that amplify underrepresented voices. He has produced a range of short films, including Solemates (TIFF 2024, HKIFF 2025, Regard 2025, Sidewalk 2025), which was acquired by Ouat Media and is currently streaming on Crave. His credits include POP (2024), currently in development as a series, and the documentary short The North Star: Finding Black Mecca (2021), which aired on CBC Gem’s Absolutely Canadian series. In 2024, Torrin was selected for the OYA Black Arts Coalition Emerging Producer Incubator, where he honed his skills in development and financing while line-producing the short film Green Thumb (2025). His production management experience spans commercial and music video work for clients such as EA Games, TD Bank, Concord Independent Music, Warner Music Group, and Ninja Tune Records. His credits include Together Right, shortlisted at the Berlin Commercial Festival, and Get Down, nominated for Best Hip Hop Video at the iHeartRadio MMVAs. As an independent producer, he is passionate about shaping a distinct Canadian cinematic voice through genre-driven narratives that blur memory, myth, and the unreal to reimagine how we see the world.

Writers’ Lab:

Beatriz Yuste (She/Her, Toronto, ON) has written for stage and screen, and worked as an actress in theatre, television and film for almost twenty-five years. She is fully trilingual in English, French and Spanish, and has had many adventures and experiences to draw from, having lived and worked in Mexico, Spain, Paris, New York, Peru and across Canada. She has a unique perspective and brings an artistic vision to her writing that leans into dystopian worlds, anti-heroines, magical realism and those dark comedic moments that one can only call art imitating life. She was last seen on Law & Order Toronto, and is currently writing the feature, His Last Wish, for 100 Dragons.

Berend McKenzie (He/She/They/Interchangeably, Toronto, ON) is a Treaty 13 (Toronto) based, award-winning playwright, essayist, actor, screenwriter, and publisher. Berend’s writing journey began in 2004 when they started crafting short plays for the Loud & Queer Festival in Edmonton, Alberta. These early works laid the foundation for their first full-length play, the outrageous, award-winning queer puppet show for adults, Get Off the Cross Mary! In 2009, Berend premiered a groundbreaking one-person show for young audiences titled NGGRFG (Would you say the name of this play?), which they performed for students across Canada and at the 2011 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Berend is an alumnus of the 2021-2022 Warner Brothers. Discover X Global Access Writers’ Academy, the 2021 Catalyst Theatre Confluence Fellowship Program and the 2021 Writers’ Guild of Alberta’s Writing Mentorship Program. Berend was named a delegate in the 2024 Netflix Diversity of Voices Initiative at the Banff World Media Festival and participated in the 2024 Reelworld Emerging 20 Mentorship Program and the 2024 Rogers-BSO Script Development Fund. Berend’s film and TV acting credits include Life or Something Like It, Andromeda, Connie and Carla, Jeremiah and Catwoman.

Brianna Russell (She/Her, Clarke’s Beach, Newfoundland) is a screenwriter and director whose work focuses on queerness in media, genre filmmaking, as well as the history and folklore of her childhood home. Brianna’s films have premiered at national and international film festivals, including the St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival. She was a quarterfinalist in the Outstanding Screenplay Competition for her feature film script POSTER CHILD, and her short of the same name premiered at the Closing Night Gala of SJIWFF, ahead of Fawzia Mirza’s THE QUEEN OF MY DREAMS. Brianna is the 2022 recipient of the RBC Michelle Jackson Emerging Filmmaker Award, an alumni of the WIDC Career Advancement Module, and a participant in the 2024 Whistler Film Festival Screenwriters Lab.

Laura Stubbs (She/Her, Etobicoke, ON) is a queer screenwriter/filmmaker. She studied screenwriting at UCLA with a focus in comedy. To raise money for tuition, she organized a stand-up show called Laughs for Laur, where she came out to all of her friends and family on stage… after charging them $25 to be there. She wrote, directed, and produced the short film no, which premiered at the 2022 Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival. Right Under My Roof, a digital series she wrote, produced, and directed, is now available on Bell Fibe TV1 and Amazon Prime US and UK. She is the proud founder and president of Ticket Stubbs Productions Inc., a Toronto-based production company that strives to tell stories from underrepresented groups and provide opportunities to folks from equity-deserving communities. Their series My Bully Mia, which was selected as one of 21 projects by the Independent Production Fund (IPF) out of a historic 225 applications, is currently in development. Laura uses her academic background in psychology to create complex characters by critically examining human behaviour and relationships.

Walker MacDonald (He/Him, Charlottetown, PE) is a screenwriter, designer, and filmmaker whose work has been recognized by Whistler Film Festival, Austin Film Festival and the Academy Nicholl Fellowship among others. He has also been a regular contributor to satire publications like The Hard Times, Hard Drive and Palette Swap. Since 2024, he has served as manager & program director at Tivoli Cinema, Charlottetown’s premiere independent cinema. 70% of his body is made of movies.