Press & Media
Women In The Director's Chair (WIDC) Selects Horror Filmmaker Lu Asfaha's THEY ECHO For Annual Award
December 10, 2024 | Women In The Director's Chair (WIDC) announced that recepiant of this year's WIDC Feature Film Award is Toronto-based filmmaker, Lu Asfaha.
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Women in the Director’s Chair Recognizes LU ASFAHA as 2024’s Feature Film Award Winner
December 5, 2024 | Leading the charge for representation and acknowledgement of women and non-binary directors, Canada’s Women in the Director’s Chair (WIDC) organization recently held the 2024 edition of their annual awards ceremony. Toronto-based Lu Asfaha took top honors by earning the Feature Film Award for her screenplay They Echo.
Lu Asfaha wins 2024 WIDC Feature Film Award
December 4, 2024 | Asfaha won the award for her psychological thriller screenplay They Echo, which is slated for production next summer.
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[Fantasia 2024 Shorts] Horrors of a Woman’s Life in BERTA, DIRTY BAD WRONG, & HELL IS A TEENAGE GIRL
August 4, 2024 | In Erica Orofino’s dark drama Dirty Bad Wrong, a young woman named Sid (Michaela Kurimsky) does sex work to provide for herself and her little boy Jesse (Jack Greig), but comes to a scary turning point when she wants to give him an expensive superhero birthday party that requires doing something she normally would never do.
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In ‘Dirty Bad Wrong,’ a Sex Worker Crosses a Line for a Client With a Dark Fetish
August 2, 2024 | One of the most haunting shorts to come out of this year’s Fantasia Film Festival is filmmaker Erica Orofino’s “Dirty Bad Wrong,” about a woman who does sex work to provide for her six year old. When she needs money to give the child the best superhero birthday ever, she agrees to engage in a client’s very dark and disturbing fetish.
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Dirty Bad Wrong (short film) Fantasia Review – how far would you go for those you love?
July 31, 2024 | Sid (Michaela Kurimsky) never breaks a promise she makes to her six-year-old child, Jesse (Jack Greig), even if that means breaking a promise she made to herself.
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[Fantasia ’24’] ‘Dirty Bad Wrong’ review: Tense short film highlights change
July 30, 2024 | A movie like Dirty Bad Wrong would not have been made a few years ago. The premise of the short playing at the Fantasia Film Festival is nothing out of the ordinary. A sex worker named Sid has promised her son a superhero birthday party. In order to make her child happy she books an appointment with a client with a particular fetish..
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‘DIRTY BAD WRONG’ (Fantasia 2024 short) Erica Orofino’s short finds a mother between a promise and a boundary.
July 29, 2024 | Life changes when you become a mother. It is impossible to describe to someone who has never protected another human with every ounce of their soul. In Erica Orofino‘s Fantasia 2024 short film DIRTY BAD WRONG, audiences are plunged into the world of a mother who would do anything for her child..
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‘DIRTY BAD WRONG’ (Fantasia 2024 short) Erica Orofino’s short finds a mother between a promise and a boundary.
July 11, 2024 | As we continue to highlight Canadian short films playing at Fantasia as word gets to us, the next one on our list is Dirty Bad Wrong, from writer/director Erica Orofino.
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Dirty Bad Wrong: The Horror Suspense Short from Writer/Director Erica Orofino to have World Premiere at 2024 Fantasia International Film Festival
July 2024 | Erica Orofino (She Keeps Me, Tampon, and the upcoming short Internet Friend) is thrilled to announce that her short film, Dirty Bad Wrong, which she wrote and directed, will have its world premiere at the 2024 Fantasia International Film Festival on July 29th, 2024 at 4:25 pm at Salle J.A. DèSeve Cinema
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BITS Horror Development Lab - They Echo
April 13, 2024 | Rob sits down and chats with Lu Asfaha & Fonna Seidu while at the Blood in the Snow Film Festival 2023. The discussion involves their project They Echo in the Horror Development Lab.
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Canada’s Inside Out queer festival announces projects for seventh finance forum (exclusive)
November 16, 2023 | Canadian 2SLGBTQ+ film festival Inside Out has unveiled 11 projects to participate in this weekend’s seventh annual international finance forum, which is moving ahead after the end of the Hollywood strikes.
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Inside Out announces lineup for seventh finance forum
November 15, 2023 | Four Canadian features and two series are among the 11 projects selected for this year’s Inside Out International Finance Forum (IFF). Lu Asfaha’s They Echo centres on a woman who returns to her childhood home to care for her dying mother, where she is confronted “by the ghosts of her family’s sins,” according to the release. Fonna Seidu is the producer.
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Telefilm Canada and the Talent Fund announce 18 projects funded through the Talent to Watch Program
September 28, 2023 | Telefilm Canada and the Talent Fund are welcoming 18 new filmmaking teams with this year's selection of projects in the Talent to Watch Program. Featuring project YO, WE’RE DYING co-directed by Keisha Phoenixx-McLeggon and Jay Carolyn Wu and produced by Fonna Seidu.
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Tap into 50 years of Black Canadian history through ‘community mixtapes’ in new docuseries
October 3, 2023 | What if you could go back in time and dive into the history of Black Canadians and learn everything you didn’t from your old textbooks? Well, now you can thanks to “Black Community Mixtapes,” a five-part docuseries that shines a light on life-changing moments in the Black Canadian landscape.
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August | Chosen Family
August 23, 2023 | This collection explores human connection and the way people come together in good times and bad. These relationships are the essential support networks that can lift us up and keep us moving when times get tough and help
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Independent Production Fund and Canada Media Fund Announce 2023 Development Packaging Funding Decisions
April 18, 2023 | The Independent Production Fund (IPF) and the Canada Media Fund (CMF) have approved financing for 30 scripted short-form series as part of the 2023 CMF-IPF Development Packaging Program. These are series which are being developed for exploitation primarily on digital platforms and channels.
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NASRA on Virgins!
November 24, 2022 | NASRA has always been a performer, but the world they grew up in didn't always let them. Today, the former Youth Poet Laureate of Edmonton performs full time, including on a new CBC Gem show in which they play an aspiring performer in a world that doesn't want them to perform.
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CBC Gem show ‘virgins!’ offers a fresh perspective on sex…and not having it
October 5, 2022 | Aby, Amina, Delina and Sara are not the usual “virgins” we see in scripted film or television. They aren’t awkward wallflowers terrified to talk to guys, they’re confident and fun and bold—you wish you could be part of their friend group.
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VIRGINS! THE CBC GEM SERIES IS COMIC RELATABILITY AT ITS FINEST
September 29, 2022 | Rife with late nights, girl talk, and the tug of war struggle of balancing family expectations with society’s, Canadian series virgins! is a must-watch new drama series on CBC Gem.
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CFC Announces 2022 Norman Jewison Film Program Cohort
June 17, 2022 | The Canadian Film Centre (CFC) has selected 19 storytellers for this year’s Norman Jewison Film Program after getting a record number of submissions.
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Lu Asfaha Talks FRESH MEAT and Shining Light on Black Queer Cultural Appropriation
May 25, 2022 | What would you do if you found out your company was eating your coworkers? Filmmaker Lu Asfaha explores Black queer cultural appropriation through the lens of cannibalism in the workplace. Her Black female-led horror short, Fresh Meat, will screen at the 2022 Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival from May 26 through June 5.
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Jay Wu Talks TOE THE LINE and Portraying Stories Through a Queer Lens
May 25, 2022 | Non-binary Canto storyteller Jay Wu knew they wanted to inject their personal story into Toe the Line, a captivating short film they wrote and directed. Toe the Line will screen at the 2022 Inside Out Film Festival, a Toronto festival dedicated to 2SLGBTQIA+ projects.
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Whistler Film Festival Reveals Screenwriters Lab and Producers Lab Shortlists
April 27, 2022 | The Whistler Film Festival (WFF) is pleased to announce the 2022 shortlists for two of its highly competitive Talent Programs, the WFF Screenwriters Lab and Producers Lab.
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IPF & CMF Invest $600K in Developing Packaging Program
April 20, 2022 | The Independent Production Fund (IPF) and Canada Media Fund (CMF) are financing 20 scripted short-form series to the tune of an estimated $600,000 as part of the 2022 Development Packaging Program.
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Independent Production Fund & Canada Media Fund Announce 2022 Development Packaging Funding Decisions
April 19, 2022 | The IPF Board of Directors has approved financing for twenty (20) scripted short-form series as part of the 2022 Development Packaging Program. These are series which are being developed for exploitation primarily on digital platforms and channels.
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Participants Announced for First EAVE on Demand Access Program in Canada
March 9, 2022 | EAVE On Demand Access Program is a part-time program focused on building stable and strong production companies owned by Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) creators, along with the development of their intellectual property for national and international financing and distribution.
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EAVE Announces Participants for Program for Racialized Producers
March 3, 2022 | The part-time program announced last November is presented by the Canada Media Fund, European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs (EAVE) and the National Screen Institute–Canada (NSI). It aims to build stable and strong production companies owned by Indigenous, Black and people of colour creators, and develop IP for national and international financing and distribution.
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OYA Black Arts Coalition Announces Cohort for 2 Inaugural Programs
February 15, 2022 | The OYA Black Arts Coalition (OBAC) has announced the cohort for its inaugural Business Affairs Boot Camp and for the inaugural Scale Up Immersive, which is being launched with the Canadian Film Centre’s Media Lab (CFC Media Lab) and Dark Slope.
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Talent on Tap - Toe the Line, Shoots to Score
November 12, 2021 | We enjoy seeing ourselves represented in film. Knowing that we are seen and portrayed accurately is important, especially when you’re part of a minority group. Film and TV can be held partly responsible for stereotyping their characters and misrepresentation… but there’s finally been a line drawn in the sand.
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Representation Matters: Six Emerging Black Directors are Nominated for a Canadian Screen Award
September 27, 2021 | Six Black Directors were nominated for a Canadian Screen Award in the "Best Direction, Documentary" for directing their episode in the series, "Being Black in Toronto."
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CBC Sets Fall Schedule and Unveils 2021-2022 Programming Slate, Including Over 35 Original Series from Canadian Creators
June 2, 2021 | CBC, Canada’s public broadcaster, today announced its fall television and streaming schedule and 2021-22 programming slate for CBC TV and CBC Gem, featuring over 35 new and returning original series from Canadian creators, producers and storytellers across all genres.
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Golden Sheaf Awards Announced for 2021
May 27, 2021 | The Yorkton Film Festival is proud to announce the winners of the 2021 Golden Sheaf Awards! The Awards were handed out on Thursday, May 27 at the virtual Golden Sheaf Awards ceremony.
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NEXT: Empowering Underrepresented Voices
May 26, 2021 | It’s vital to create these pathways, both in front and behind the camera, for Canadians of all backgrounds and empower them to tell their own unique and rich stories. Storytelling matters, and who gets to tell those stories matters even more.
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Comedy Heist ‘Let’s Do This’ Expands Its Producer Team
March 5, 2021 | Canadian Director Lora Campbell's "LET'S DO THIS" – BTTL 2020 – has expanded its Producer team to include Daniel Bekerman of Scythia Films with Alex Ordanis and Christopher Yurkovich from Stellar Citizens. In addition to Lauren Grant and Fonna Seidu, with Lora Campbell taking charge as the Director, these producing powerhouses will bring their experiences and resources to bring the feature to life.
The top five events to catch at the Regent Park Film Festival
November 25, 2020 | NOW picks the films and panels you'll want to catch at this year's festival – and all are free. This week, the Regent Park Film Festival joins the long list of festivals that have pivoted to online streaming. But by now, everyone should have no trouble making the adjustment
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Independent Production Fund 2020 Short Form Series Production Program Funding Decisions
November 23, 2020 | The IPF Board of Directors has approved 2020 production financing for nine (9) scripted short form series. These are series which have been created for exploitation primarily on digital platforms and channels.
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6 Films Exploring Black Experiences in Toronto
November 20, 2020 | New on CBC Gem, the local documentary Being Black in Toronto consists of a compilation of six short films by emerging directors.
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NSI Names 21 Business for Producers Recipients
October 30, 2020 | The National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI) has welcomed 21 emerging producers into its fold for its NSI Business for Producers program.
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Social Justice Now Film Festival Sets Spotlight Screenings, Drive-In Presentations of ‘Fruitvale Station’ and ‘Just Mercy’
October 12, 2020 | The Film Life Foundation’s inaugural Social Justice Now Film Festival (SJNFF) has unveiled its robust program including its spotlight screenings
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Toronto filmmakers to watch at Reelworld Film Festival: Alison Duke Highlighted
October 2020 | Promise Me hosted it’s Toronto premiere with Reelworld Film Festival. In an article in the Toronto Star by Marina Hanna, she showcased a few filmmakers to look our for including Alison Duke, Director and Co-Writer of Promise Me.
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Black Women Led Production Company OYA Media Group is Taking Charge of their Narratives and Giving Black Youth a Chance
September 1, 2020 | The OYA Media Group, headed by ALISON DUKE and NGARDY CONTEH GEORGE is committed to the ongoing support, education and promotion of young Black filmmakers.
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Winnipeg Free Press Highlighted Five films exploring Black experience in Canada display diversity of voices
June 27, 2020 | Alexa Joy, the Festival Director for The Afro Prairie Film Festival, included Promise Me alongside five Black Canadian films that help expose the structural white supremacy in our country that is rooted in anti-Blackness, delivered via an essential medium that forces us to sit and pay attention.
No one gets left behind; these three films show us that all black lives matter
June 13, 2020 | Selina McCallum at Toronto Caribbean News highlighted Promise Me alongside two other films by her mentees in the black Youth Pathway 2 Industry program. The article focused on individuals from the Black community who should not be left behind while we are on a journey towards equity.
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13 Creatives Share The Ebbs and Flows of their Quarantine Schedules
May 14, 2020 | Creatives everywhere have been reassessing how and when to use their talents in these uncertain times. Some of us have been inspired and productive, others have found themselves coping with periods of despondency.
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WIFT-T Showcases 2020: Worth the Wait
April 29, 2020 | The 11th annual WIFT-T Showcase will celebrate nine compelling new works that will make you laugh, cry and think. WIFT-T is thrilled to announce the nine projects selected for the 11th Annual WIFT-T Showcase.
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Shaftesbury, LaRue Projects Among Development Packaging Picks
April 23, 2020 | Twenty projects have been selected for the 2020 edition of the Development Packaging Program from the Independent Production Fund (IPF) and Canada Media Fund (CMF).
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Next Generation Filmmakers
February 19, 2020 | What is it like being black in Toronto? Six young black filmmakers showcased their short documentary films at the 8th Toronto Black Film Festival last Friday that told their own story or the story of someone else.
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Mentorship is at the Heart of Alison Duke’s Artistic Career
January 22, 2020 | If you see a need, fill it. That’s exactly what Alison Duke did by creating ‘Black Youth! Pathway 2 Industry’ to support young Black film, television and digital media graduates who are unable to find employment after completing post-secondary studies.
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How the Mr. Jane and Finch creative team is supporting young talent entering the film industry
May 17, 2019 | The documentary Mr. Jane and Finch has pocketed many accolades since it’s release – but it’s most prized possession takes the form of mentorship.
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How To Start A Web Series ✧ Girl Put In Work
August 26, 2018 | Girl Put In Work is a series featuring female entrepreneurs starting their own businesses in Toronto. Meet Aden Abebe, creator and producer of the web series Virgins!
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Toronto-set web series Virgins! celebrates the joys of being sexless
July 6, 2018 | Whether it’s Issa Rae’s pursuit of sexual partners on Insecure or Michaela Coel’s quest to lose her virginity on Chewing Gum, Black women on TV are increasingly affirming and expressing their desire for sex. But one Toronto-based web series is celebrating the overlooked joys of being sexless.
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This Toronto-Based Web Series is Talking About Virginity, but Not in the Way You Expect
May 24, 2018 | This is Worldtown sat down with Aden Abebe, creator of virgins! a new comedy web series about four 20-something year-old women stumbling through adulthood as millennials and love as virgins.
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Mirco-Grant Recipients 2018
A team of Black women media makers provided a writing intensive program to discuss relationships as young adults in a hyper-sexual and easy-access culture. 3-4 participants were able to collectively create scripts in a screenwriting mentorship program held in Weston-Mount Dennis, which will expand into a video series in phase two.
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