Toronto Film School & POV Celebrate Launch of 2020 Pathway Discovery Bursary
Toronto Film School and POV have joined forces to help diverse and racialized young creatives break into the screen media industry with a newly launched bursary.
The 2020 Pathway Discovery Bursary, which is being introduced in association with Bell Media, RedLabTO, and Project 10 Productions, will provide three full-tuition bursaries for participants of POV programs who wish to further pursue their filmmaking passions at Toronto Film School.
Each of this year’s recipients – Husam Alaghbari, Kimberly Miller-Pryce, and Anne Vo – will also be granted a paid internship at RedLabTO.
Biju Pappachan, Executive Director of POV, lauded the partnership with Toronto Film School as a significant one for the participants of his charity’s programs, which help train, place and keep talented youth in the exciting world of film, television, journalism, photography and new media.
“This meaningful initiative builds an important pathway for our young participants to continue their training and strengthen their technical skills as they prepare for meaningful careers in the TV and film industry,” he said.
“It is our hope that this initiative will provide POV participants another opportunity to strengthen their personal narratives, especially during a time when diverse voices are being suppressed by systemic discrimination, racism and injustice.”
As an institution dedicated to facilitating the betterment of students and the content production community in Toronto, Toronto Film School is uniquely positioned to support POV’s mission of championing diversity in the content production sector.
Bolstered by its exceptional community of instructors and industry experts, Toronto Film School offers a fast-paced, hands-on and highly collaborative learning environment designed to arm students with the theory and skills they need to pursue their passions in the creative industries.
“Toronto Film School has always been blessed with a diverse student body reflective of the many cultures that make up the wonderful city in which we live and work,” said Dr. Walter Lee, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Enrolment.
“These bursaries are part of our recognition of the special responsibility that comes with educating of a diverse population and is a part of our broader commitment to doing our part in efforts to eliminate systemic racism from our society.”
The Pathway Discovery Bursary was officially announced at a special celebration that was live-streamed, in part, from Toronto Film School’s 460 Yonge St. Campus on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
To watch the entire announcement, go to https://bit.ly/2TDWKwJ
About the Recipients of the Pathway Discovery Bursary:
Age: 31
Program: Film Production
Career Aspirations: Content Creation (Video/Photo, Spoken Word)
Favourite Movies: The Godfather/Everything from Spike Lee
Q&A:
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, how you see yourself as a storyteller.
I am a Director of Photography, Editor, and Photographer who brings visuals to life. Known for my powerful storytelling methods, I have the ability to engage with viewers and leave them with a strong visual message.
I began my career in shooting and editing music videos, short documentaries, and commercials. I constantly create engaging content for the audiences on the web. My YouTube channel and Instagram account are steadily growing.
I see myself as a voice from communities and pockets of people who are often not heard and misrepresented in the media. I want to be that voice and representation for them.
2) What motivated you to pursue a career in the film and television industry?
To change the narrative from within. Not only am I good storyteller (via photo/video/spoken word) but I’m a natural on camera and building relationships. Bringing these set of skill sets and experiences will help me excel in an industry that needs minority narratives. That’s me!
3) What does it mean to you to have this opportunity to study filmmaking at Toronto Film School, and how do you think it will help you achieve your goals?
I’m grateful and humbled for this opportunity. I am aware it will require a lot of hard work, sacrifices and dedication! I’m looking forward to meeting the right folks and collaborating. Not to mention being in spaces that, without this scholarship, I won’t have been in. I want to come out of this experience being a full-time content creator. I am truly grateful.
Age: 29
Program: Film Production
Career Aspirations: Director/Editor
Favourite Movies/TV Shows: Get Out, City of God, Ozark, Succession, I May Destroy You
Q&A:
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, how you see yourself as a storyteller.
I am a current student of the Toronto Film School majoring in the Film Production Program. Directing thought-provoking films is the ultimate goal, as well as becoming a well-rounded editor.
2) What motivated you to pursue a career in the film and television industry?
I love character-driven stories that feel authentic and provide a compelling perspective. Movies like Get Out and City of God I appreciate. TV shows such as Ozark, Succession, and I May Destroy You make me want to find my creative voice. Ava DuVanay inspires me to reach for the stars. That one day, I, too, can stand alongside remarkable filmmakers who tell stories that are not usually told or provide a platform for those who need to be heard.
I find characters fascinating. Getting to the bottom of why we as humans do what we do. What motivates us. What differentiates us. And to what end. Exploring the things that make me feel uneasy. Films allow me to satisfy this part of me. I’ve had an opportunity to make a short film a few years ago, and since then, I haven’t been able to shake the experience. Given the social climate, I thought, what better time to take filmmaking seriously and try – so here I am.
3) What does it mean to you to have this opportunity to study filmmaking at Toronto Film School, and how do you think it will help you achieve your goals?
This opportunity is fuel for me. Momentum to stay focused and stay humble. I genuinely love the craft, so to be in a setting with like-minded people who feel the same way and are all on their personal journey is infectious. I want to create that much more; I want to learn that much more. In short, I am incredibly grateful that I have the opportunity to learn how to get one step closer to my goals. To one day, help others to achieve their goals within the industry.
Age: 22
TFS Program: Film Production
Career Aspirations: Director of Photography for a feature film, working abroad in a production company, and being a program mentor for marginalized youth interested in filmmaking
Favourite Movie: Gook by Justin Chon
Q&A:
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, how you see yourself as a storyteller.
I am a Vietnamese-Canadian artist born and raised in Toronto. I am currently specializing in photography and cinematography focusing on creating BIPOC-focused media content. As a storyteller, I feel underrepresented in the Toronto film community as the type of stories are still not heard, seen or published on larger scales and I want to be part of the change. I strive in pushing creative boundaries, encourage social change and promoting authenticity, inclusivity and diversity in my work.
2) What motivated you to pursue a career in the film and television industry?
I am the first in my family’s history to pursue the Arts as a career. I am the first generation to have the privilege to be able to document my life’s experiences and want to be able to go to my mother’s homeland to share the stories of my family’s lost history. I strongly believe and aim to elevate the representation of the BIPOC community, especially the Asian community, within the entertainment industry.
3) What does it mean to you to have this opportunity to study filmmaking at Toronto Film School, and how do you think it will help you achieve your goals?
This opportunity means beyond what I imagined to have! Experiencing the formal training that I yearned to have will definitely exceed my technical and collaborative skills and present wonderous doors of opportunities with the credentials and reputable status I’ve earned. I truly believe that I will excel beyond my expectations with this opportunity and I am humbly grateful that many others believe in me and my dreams.
