About
Founded by Tonya Williams in 2000, the Reelworld Screen Institute (non-profit) and Reelworld Foundation (charity) are groundbreaking advocacy organizations in Canada that draw attention to the lack of racially diverse and indigenous talent in mainstream media - both in front of and behind the screen.
Reelworld is one of the largest national platform dedicated to changing the face of the media landscape by empowering and showcasing Canadians identifying as Black, Indigenous, Asian, and People of Colour in the screen-based industries.
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In 2000 I launched an initiative in Toronto that was new and bold - Reelworld Film Festival. A year later, Reelworld Foundation (now called Reelworld Screen Institute) followed. These initiatives had one single focus - to literally change the face of the industry. Reelworld became a training ground for curators/programmers, arts administrators, grants writers, theatre managers, publicists and more. Giving opportunity to filmmakers was just part of our mission. We wanted to make sure that everything we did would impact racially diverse professionals on every level of this industry.
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Tonya Williams
Founder & Executive Director of Reelworld Screen Institute
Our Vision
We empower racially diverse Canadians to create and tell their own stories and see themselves reflected on and off-screen.
We are creating real and systemic change by positioning ourselves as the leading resource for this underserved talent across Canada and the industry.
Reelworld advances opportunities for Black, Indigenous, Asian, South Asian, and People of Colour in the Canadian screen industries by reducing barriers and fostering authentic stories.
Our Mission
Our Values
We support storytelling that portrays non-stereotypical images of racially diverse peoples, for current and future generations. Our values are to build, improve and strengthen this rich talent pool. To create community, conversation and collaboration for Black, Indigenous, Asian, South Asian, and Artists of Colour and to connect this talent with the nation and the world. To honour and celebrate them. To teach that racial diversity and cultural diversity are not the same thing. And to work towards creating a level playing field.
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Reelworld offered me an opportunity to learn from industry professionals who generously shared their knowledge and experience. I was able to meet talented and dynamic artists, each with their own individual strengths and perspectives, that helped me gain a better understanding of how to approach the collaborative art of filmmaking and writing. The feedback and support that was offered throughout the E20 program, and the pitching workshops helped prepare me with a skillset that I will use throughout my career.
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Seth Mohan
Actor, Producer, Writer
Logo Files and Guidelines
Reelworld Logo Black Version
