Toronto Film School

A huge thank you to our TFS partners this year! As we get ready for our annual TFS Fest today, we have to shout out the partners that support us not just today but throughout the year!

Thank you to our Community Partners Gallagher, Cineplex, & MUBI!

Thank you to our Founding Bursary Partners BMO, Creative Arts Financial, Blink Studios & Shaftesbury!

Your support helps us create opportunities, remove barriers, and connect emerging talent with the film and television industry. We’re grateful to have you as part of the TFS community and excited to celebrate together today!

Powerful storytelling has the ability to spark conversation, inspire empathy, and create lasting change.

Congratulations to Toronto Film School instructor Samiramis Kia on receiving the Best Director Award at Women in Film & Television Toronto’s 17th Annual Showcase for her compelling short film, Last Resort.

The emotionally resonant film follows an Iranian mother fighting to reclaim her daughter in the face of overwhelming obstacles, showcasing the kind of storytelling that connects deeply with audiences and shines a light on important human experiences.

This recognition reflects not only Samiramis’ exceptional talent as a filmmaker, but also her commitment to creating meaningful work that resonates far beyond the screen. We’re proud to celebrate this well-deserved achievement and the impact of her creative vision.

https://bit.ly/4aA24c4

When Toronto Film School Online instructor Kaveh Mohebbi heard his name announced at the Writers Guild of Canada Screenwriting Awards, he knew one thing: the win belonged to the whole team.

Standing alongside the cast and crew of 18 to 35, Mohebbi accepted the award for Best Short Series Screenwriting for "Buck Mustang". It was an episode born from a simple writers' room question: What if the ultimate college party guy never grew up... and was now in his 60s?

The result? A hilariously chaotic episode that earned one of Canadian screenwriting’s highest honours.

But for Mohebbi, the recognition means more than a trophy. As the indie series continues to build momentum, the award shines a spotlight on the passionate creatives behind 18 to 35 and the stories they’re determined to tell.

From award-winning writer to mentor, Mohebbi encourages emerging storytellers to stop chasing trends and start writing the stories only they can tell.

Read more about his award-winning work, creative process, and advice for the next generation of writers. https://bit.ly/4vNgHBg

Four days before Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants launched, Toronto Film School faculty member Matty McDonald walked up to voice acting legend Troy Baker and introduced himself as his newest cast mate.

The twist? Matty voices the Giant who takes on Indiana Jones in The Order of Giants.

For a lifelong gamer from Hamilton, it was a surreal moment. Baker — best known as Joel in The Last of Us, the Joker in the Batman: Arkham series, and Indiana Jones himself — had been one of Matty’s biggest inspirations for years.

That full-circle encounter came just as another major credit landed on his résumé: the role of the Ice Prince in Fortnite.

From Toronto Film School student to faculty member, and from gaming fan to sharing credits with industry icons, Matty’s story is a reminder that sometimes the dreams you grow up with become the career you build.

Read more about his incredible journey.
https://bit.ly/3S1E77g

Will AI Replace Creative Jobs? “We should approach AI with the understanding that certain human capabilities remain irreplaceable,” says Adam Till, Vice President, Academic, TFS. Read our deep dive for more. https://www.torontofilmschool.ca/news/will-ai-replace-creative-jobs-what-students-need-to-know/

Yesterday marked more than the opening of a new campus, it marked an investment in the future of creative talent.

With the ribbon cutting of Toronto Film School's new state-of-the-art campus, we're creating a space where aspiring filmmakers, actors, writers, designers, animators and game creators can learn, collaborate and bring bold ideas to life using industry-leading technology and facilities.

As Toronto continues to thrive as a global destination for film, television, gaming and digital media, we're proud to help shape the next generation of storytellers, innovators and creators who will define what's next.

This campus was built for creativity & collaboration. We can't wait to see what our students create here.



https://www.torontofilmschool.ca/blog/from-classroom-to-camera-toronto-film-school-unveils-new-state-of-the-art-campus/

We love sharing good news and celebrating the successes of our students and Ethan Dyer’s latest achievement is one worth applauding.

Just days after completing his final class in Toronto Film School’s Acting for Film, TV & the Theatre program, Ethan signed with Noble Caplan Abrams, one of Canada’s leading talent agencies, a milestone many aspiring actors work toward for years.

Growing up across Alberta and Saskatchewan, Ethan discovered his passion for storytelling through family movie nights before finding his calling on stage at just 10 years old. That passion led him to theatre competitions, award-winning performances, and ultimately to Toronto Film School, where he continued to refine his craft and pursue his dream of becoming a professional actor.

Signing with a top agency before graduation is an incredible accomplishment and a testament to Ethan’s talent, dedication, and hard work.

Congratulations, Ethan! We’re excited to see what the future holds and can't wait to follow your journey as your career continues to grow.

https://bit.ly/43PcC3b

What can we learn from RuPaul’s Drag Race?

According to Dr. Tommy Mayberry, Director, Centre for Teaching Excellence & Innovation at Toronto Film School, quite a lot.

This Pride Month, we're excited to share this feature on Mayberry's forthcoming book, RuPedagogies of Realness 2: New Essays on Teaching, Learning and Resisting with RuPaul’s Drag Race. Co-edited with Lindsay Bryde, the collection brings together academics, drag artists, and fans to explore what drag can teach us about identity, resistance, belonging, and education.

At a time when both drag and teaching are facing renewed scrutiny, these essays offer timely insights into the power of q***r knowledge, creativity, and community. Read full article in the link in bio!

🌈 Happy Pride Month.

https://bit.ly/49xfR2L

The connections you make in film school can shape your career long after graduation.

When Toronto Film School alumni and Film Production Program Director Emilija Davidovic began staffing a series of Kleenex social commercials tied to the Olympic Games, she turned to a network she knew well: the TFS community.

The result? A set stacked with TFS talent. The full cast – Alejandro C. Campomanes, Frank Anthony McMahan, Brooklyn Evans, Shereen Mala, and Subo Ranatunga – were all TFS students or graduates. And behind the scenes, production designer Natali Trivuncic, gaffer Romanesh Reynoso, and key production assistant Nick Gregory were also TFS alumni.

A production featuring Toronto Film School students and graduates both in front of and behind the camera. From cast members to crew, the project became a real-world example of how industry relationships, shared experiences, and creative collaboration can open doors long after graduation.

For many involved, the experience was about more than landing a commercial for a globally recognized brand. It was about reconnecting with fellow alumni, building new professional relationships, and seeing the power of the TFS network in action.

At Toronto Film School, learning extends beyond the classroom. The connections students build with peers, faculty, and alumni often become the foundation for future collaborations and career opportunities.

Read more about how a community of TFS creatives came together to bring this campaign to life.

https://www.torontofilmschool.ca/blog/emilija-davidovic-brings-tfs-grads-to-the-olympic-stage-with-kleenex-commercial/