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Reelworld in Media 

Over the years, Reelworld Film Festival has attracted the attention of countless media outlets.

Scroll down to explore Reelworld in Media.  

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Tonya Williams discusses Reelworld's new initiative, Access Reelworld.  Access Reelworld is an online database that will help industry professionals to find the Black, Indigenous, Asian, South Asian, Middle Eastern and Latinx talent they seek. 

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"We should not have to move to the U.S. to make a basic living," Black Canadian actors, producers, directors and writers, including Reelworld Board Members, Alumni and supporters, urged in an open letter to the federal government.

Image by Cooper Baumgartner

Reelworld founder and executive director Tonya Williams asks "is your story perpetuating the negative stereotypes that lend to the public fear and violent treatment of Black, Indigenous, People of Colour as less than human?"

Playback | like George, I am in a vise. I am trapped. I can’t breathe either.

Image by Christina @ wocintechchat.com

The Reelworld Film Festival founder discusses the launch of Access Reelworld and creating more space for racially diverse communities in the Canadian entertainment industry.

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Former ‘Young and the Restless’ star Tonya Williams shares her journey into the entertainment industry as a Black woman and how it inspired her to create ‘The Reel World Film Festival’ to promote racially diverse creators in Canada.

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Former ‘Young and the Restless’ star Tonya Williams shares her journey into the entertainment industry as a Black woman and how it inspired her to create ‘The Reel World Film Festival’ to promote racially diverse creators in Canada.

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The new database was launched just a few weeks ago by Reelworld Film Festival founder Tonya Williams. As Talia Ricci explains in this segment for “Our Toronto,” Williams has been advocating for change in the entertainment industry for decades.

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'We spoke to its founder, actress Tonya Williams, about the recent launch, why she dislikes the catchall term BIPOC, and her hopes for the industry moving forward.'

By Pahull Bains

In a recent CTV segment "Realities of Racism", Karen Craggs-Milne, Head of Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Thought Exchange and Tonya Williams discuss the need for dialogue, understanding, education, and awareness to break down systemic racism.

The Opening Night Gala and Reception on Thursday, October 17 was held at the Glenn Gould Studio in the CBC Building, Toronto. Special guests included The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Film director Shelley Niro a member of Six Nations Reserve, Turtle Clan, Bay of Quinte Mohawk. And Canadian actor Billy Merasty.

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I love, love, love, love stories - I was that two year old that needed a bedtime story every night. I started to read when I was three because I wanted to get more stories. My mother would leave me at the library when she did errands. The library was my haven - I loved books and then I found television, and was obsessed, I still am...

ReelWorld Founder and Executive Director

First thing’s first, this is not your typical immigrant or OFW story. Becoming Labrador will definitely hit the hearts of the people who’s only wish is to be reunited with their families. Who would’ve thought that there’ll be a small Filipino community in Goose-Bay? A humble little town in the province of Labrador.

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Since 2001, the Reelworld Film Festival has been showcasing and connecting BIPOC (Black Indigenous People Of Colour) filmmakers as an antidote to the lack of diversity and representation in the film industry. Founded by actress, producer, and director, Tonya Williams, the festival has been an incubator and champion of diverse filmmakers before the #OscarsSoWhite movement was a part of the cultural lexicon. 

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'Because We Are Girls’ chronicles how 3 sisters who were sexually abused by a relative struggle to discuss it within their conservative Sikh family and community. Part of the Reelworld Film Festival, the documentary will be screened on Saturday at the Famous Players Canada Square Cinemas in Toronto. 

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Reelworld Film Festival Returns for its 19th year. The annual Toronto festival puts the spotlight on racially diverse Canadian filmmakers. CTV spotlights Reelworld Film Festival in a discussion with its founder, Tonya Williams.

“We also have a hand in creating a new and more realistic vision on what being a woman is (and it’s not about being pretty arm candy for men to ogle). We need more female characters that are smart — not pretty and smart, but just plain old smart.”  Tonya Williams sits down with The MUFF Society Blog, a community that celebrates women in film and TV.

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