Trailblazer Award
Zahra Bentham
Producer
Zahra Bentham is an actress, producer, singer-songwriter, and co-founder of TABIA Studios. With more than 15 years in the entertainment industry, her credits include Star Trek: Discovery, How to Die Alone, Ripple, Diggstown, Spinning Out, Rookie Blue, Private Eyes, and Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker. Her performance in Village Keeper earned her a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Supporting Performance in a Feature Film, while the film received seven Canadian Screen Award nominations and won the John Dunning Best First Feature Film Award. She also starred in Morningside, Canada’s highest-grossing independent film of 2025. As a producer and co-founder of TABIA Studios, now entering its fourth year, Zahra is passionate about creating opportunities for underrepresented voices and fostering community through storytelling. Through TABIA’s TIFF programming, industry events, and creative initiatives, she continues to build meaningful spaces where artists and storytellers can connect, collaborate, and thrive.
Each year the Reelworld Trailblazer Awards recognize six racially diverse industry professionals who are inspiring others and blazing their own trail in the Canadian media and entertainment industry through groundbreaking and innovative work. Past recipients include Elle-Maija Tailfeathers, Simu Liu, Fawzia Mirza, Anthony Q Farrell and Kelly Fyffe-Marshall.