Act With Purpose International

Act With Purpose International Act With Purpose is a full service performing arts academy. https://linktr.ee/actwithpurposeinternational
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09/09/2026

🚀 WE’RE HEADING INTO A WHOLE NEW STRATOSPHERE! 🚀

Act With Purpose International is THRILLED to announce that Canadian Screen Award-winning Casting Director MILLIE TOM is joining our team!

And yes… we’re a little excited about this one. 🔥

Millie is one of Canada’s respected casting professionals, with extensive experience across film, television, video games and audiobooks. She won the 2017 Canadian Screen Award for Best Achievement in Casting alongside Deirdre Bowen for the debut season of Kim’s Convenience. Her credits span projects including Blue’s Clues & You, Jane, Robyn Hood, Picture Day and Flashback, along with major video-game franchises including Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry.

But it’s not just Millie’s incredible résumé that has us excited.

It’s what happens when we combine forces.

🎬 Casting expertise meets actor training.
🎬 Two industry networks come together.
🎬 Two different perspectives on what actors need to succeed.
🎬 And one shared goal: to create programs that genuinely move modern actor training forward.

We don’t want to simply teach actors how to perform.

We want to help them understand the industry they’re stepping into, strengthen the skills that matter in today’s casting environment, and build the kind of preparation, confidence and professionalism that can carry them beyond the classroom.

Millie brings an extraordinary casting perspective to that mission, and we couldn’t be more excited to begin developing new ideas and programs together.

To everyone joining us for the FALL SEMESTER…

You picked one heck of a time to come aboard. 😏

The next chapter of Act With Purpose International starts NOW.

Fasten your seat belts. 🚀

Welcome to the team, Millie Tom!

09/08/2026

🌟 Huge congratulations to Emme Saavedra on signing with Elite Talent Management and Sevag Sagherian! 🌟

Sometimes, a partnership is just the perfect match.

With a background in competitive rugby, hockey, soccer, volleyball, and dance, Emme brings discipline, athleticism, movement, and serious competitive spirit to everything she does—and she brought that same energy to every class.

She never just showed up prepared. She showed up pumped, eager, and ready to jump in!

Her showcase scene was the perfect reflection of her casting type, highlighting the authentic experiences and physicality that make Emme such a dynamic performer.

And with Sevag's history representing athletes, this pairing feels especially right. He understands the drive, discipline, and competitive mindset that Emme brings to her career.

Emme, we are so proud of you. This is an exciting new chapter, and we know you're just getting started! ❤️

🎭 Want to be part of our next Industry Showcase? Registration is now open on our website. Your success story could be next!

09/06/2026

Some moments on set are just extra special. ❤️🎬

Getting to work with Tayja Gabriel and her big brother, Derain Bangura, on this beautiful scene was one of them.

Tayja was background on O'Bitch-uary, proudly watching her brother shine in front of the camera. The moment I met her, I knew it was only a matter of time before she stepped into the spotlight herself... and here she is! ✨

Derain traveled all the way from Saskatoon to put everything he learned in our 12-week workshop into practical use for his demo reel. Watching these two bring out the best in each other was something truly special.

I absolutely love working with this family. ❤️

Derain is not only a talented actor, but a youth counselor and lifeguard — a wonderful role model for his little sister and so many others.

This scene is dedicated with love and gratitude to all active military personnel and veterans. 🇨🇦❤️

09/05/2026

🎬🏆 A DIRECTOR IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE TEAM BEHIND THEM 🏆🎬

We’re incredibly proud to share another TICAFF 2026 nomination for O’Bitch-Uary:

🏆 Best International Director — Comedy / Art Film
John Franklin Stevens — O’Bitch-Uary

I have to be honest—while it is an incredible honour to be recognized individually, filmmaking is never an individual accomplishment.

A director may help guide the vision, but it takes an entire team of talented people to bring that vision to life.

In particular, I want to share this recognition with Adam Marley.

Adam was far more than just a crew member on this project. His creativity, technical expertise, visual instincts, and countless contributions helped shape O’Bitch-Uary into the film it became. From behind the camera to the editing room, Adam was an integral creative partner throughout the entire process.

There are so many moments in this film that simply would not exist without his talent and dedication.

And of course, this nomination belongs to our incredible cast and crew as well. Every performance, every setup, every sound cue, every costume, every location, every laugh—and every challenge we worked through together—became part of the final story.

So while my name may appear beside this nomination, this recognition belongs to all of us.

I am incredibly grateful to TICAFF 2026 — Toronto International Comedy & Arts Film Festival for the honour, and even more grateful to the people who trusted me enough to help bring this wonderfully weird little film to life.

🎬 14 Total TICAFF 2026 Nominations.
🏆 One incredibly talented team.
❤️ And a whole lot of gratitude.

09/01/2026

🌎❤️ STORIES THAT BRING US TOGETHER ❤️🌎

We’re incredibly proud to celebrate TWO more TICAFF 2026 nominations for O’Bitch-Uary:

🏆 Best Cross-Cultural Comedy
🏆 Best Inclusive Storytelling Film

These two nominations mean something particularly special to us.

At its heart, O’Bitch-Uary is a comedy — but it’s also a story about people. Different backgrounds, different perspectives, different experiences… all coming together in one wonderfully unexpected story.

We believe some of the best stories are the ones that allow us to see ourselves in someone else — while also celebrating the things that make each of us unique.

To be recognized for Cross-Cultural Comedy and Inclusive Storytelling is an incredible honour, and a reminder of the power of film to create connection through laughter.

And once again, we’re humbled by the incredible response this little film continues to receive.

🎬 14 Total TICAFF 2026 nominations.
🏆 Two more meaningful caregories.
❤️ One very proud team.

Thank you to our incredible cast and crew for helping create a film that can make people laugh, connect, and hopefully see the world — and each other — just a little differently.

O’Bitch-Uary may be about death… but we’re celebrating LIFE! 🥂😂

08/20/2026

A Thank You to Our Industry Guests

A heartfelt THANK YOU to all of the incredible VIP industry professionals joining us for our upcoming showcase and taking the time to provide valuable feedback to our actors.

Your insight is so much more than a few notes on a performance. For each actor, your feedback can offer perspective, encouragement, clarity, and a better understanding of what it takes to move forward in this industry.

And as a coach, it helps me immensely as well. Your professional insight allows me to better understand where my talent is today, where they can grow, and how I can help take them to the next level.

But ultimately, this experience is about something bigger.

It’s about fortifying the entertainment industry by creating meaningful connections between talented performers and the people working at the highest levels of our business.

Our actors have the opportunity to meet and learn from leading management companies, agencies, casting directors, directors, writers, producers, and other industry professionals from across the globe.

Thank you for showing up.
Thank you for sharing your expertise.
Thank you for your positivity.
And most importantly, thank you for helping make this industry more accessible.

When industry professionals open the door, and actors are given a safe and meaningful space to walk through it, everyone benefits.

We are incredibly grateful to have you with us. ❤️🎬


08/18/2026

🎬 O’BITCH-UARY IS A WINNER! 🎬

We are absolutely THRILLED to announce that O’Bitch-Uary has taken home TWO AWARDS at the Golden Reel International Film Festival:

🏆 Best Comedy Short Film
🏆 Best Short Film

We honestly could not be more thrilled with how audiences and festivals are responding to this little film. What started as a fun, wonderfully weird idea has continued to find its way into the hearts of audiences — and now, onto the winner’s circle. ❤️

And this comes on the heels of an incredible 14 nominations at TICAFF 2026, including recognition for the film, its cast, and its creative team.

The film is standing on its own — and we couldn’t be prouder.

A quick transparency note: I am part of the Golden Reel International Film Festival team, but I did NOT adjudicate or judge O’Bitch-Uary in this competition. The awards were determined independently, and as you can see from the film’s growing recognition across multiple festivals, O’Bitch-Uary continues to earn its place on its own merits.

To our cast, crew, collaborators, and everyone who has supported this film:

THANK YOU. 🖤

And to O’Bitch-Uary…

Keep being wonderfully weird. 🥂🎬

08/17/2026

🎬📸 THE LOOK OF O’BITCH-UARY IS GETTING RECOGNIZED! 🏆

We’re continuing our celebration of O’Bitch-Uary’s incredible 14 TICAFF 2026 nominations — and this time, we’re shining a spotlight on the visual storytellers behind the film!

🏆 Best Comedy Poster
🏆 Best Photography

A huge congratulations to Adam Marley, who designed the O’Bitch-Uary poster and created the visual identity that helped introduce this wonderfully weird film to the world. 🎨🔥

And another huge congratulations to Holly Mason for her Behind-the-Scenes Photography, capturing the people, moments, and energy behind the camera. 📸❤️

A film doesn’t stop existing when the cameras stop rolling. The poster tells audiences what kind of world they’re about to enter, while BTS photography captures the people and memories that made that world possible.

We’re incredibly proud to see both recognized by TICAFF 2026 — Toronto International Comedy & Arts Film Festival!

✨ 14 nominations from ONE film festival… and we still have more to announce!

And if you’ve been following along… you know what’s coming next:

🏆 Our FIRST WIN!

Stay tuned. 👀🎬

08/17/2026

Motivation Monday

Fun fact: He joined the Air Force to fly planes before becoming one of the world’s most recognizable voices.

Bio: Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an American actor, producer, and narrator. In a career spanning six decades, he has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award, as well as a nomination for a Grammy Award and a Tony Award.

Quote: "The best way to guarantee a loss is to quit." – Morgan Freeman

08/15/2026

🎭🏆 THE CAST OF O’BITCH-UARY IS GETTING SOME LOVE! 🏆🎭

We’re thrilled to celebrate THREE more TICAFF 2026 nominations for O’Bitch-Uary:

🏆 Best Actor — Comedy Film — Carlos Roberts

🏆 Best Actress — Comedy Film — Holly Mason

🏆 Best Ensemble Cast — O’Bitch-Uary

A huge congratulations to Carlos and Holly for their individual nominations! 🎉

Carlos Roberts is proudly represented by Premier Artists' Management, and Holly Mason is represented by Star Talent Inc. We’re so proud to see these talented actors receiving recognition for their work in the film.

And that Best Ensemble Cast nomination? That one belongs to the whole team. ❤️

Because comedy is rarely about one person. It’s about chemistry, timing, trust, and an entire group of performers making each other better. This nomination is a wonderful recognition of what happens when a great cast comes together.

🎬 FUN TICAFF FACTS!

✨ TICAFF stands for the Toronto International Comedy & Arts Film Festival.

✨ The festival celebrates comedy and creative excellence across film, shorts, performances, and other forms of artistic storytelling.

✨ O’Bitch-Uary is having a pretty spectacular run at this festival — with 14 total nominations from TICAFF 2026! 🤯🏆

✨ And we’re not done announcing them yet…

Stay tuned as we continue rolling out the rest of our nominations — and our FIRST WIN! 🏆👀

Congratulations, Carlos, Holly, and the entire O’Bitch-Uary ensemble! 🖤🎬

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