FINDING YOUR CREATIVE SPACE IN OTTAWA - BLACK FILM & TV CREATIVES

Ottawa has been the location of the making of award-winning movies, huge blockbusters and popular tv shows. Batman & Robin, Mr. Nobody, Alien Resurrection and Brightburn are among the long list of productions that used this destination.

But what does all this success mean for Ottawa - based Black Artists and Artists of the Global Majority from the Film and TV Industry? Has there been any space for original Canadian content to strive in the area? Have there been significant changes in funding opportunities or increased support for these Black creatives looking to produce their films? This panel will focus on their inspirations, the obstacles, the improvements and the positive points of being a Black content creator in Ottawa.

MODERATOR:

Sarah Onyango, Radio Host, CHUO 89.1FM

Sarah Onyango is the community producer and host of the monthly African cultural program Fontonfrom on Rogers Television Channel 22 in Ottawa, as well as of the shows Ici l'Afrique, Afrika Revisited and Black on Black on CHUO 89.1FM, the University of Ottawa's community radio station. A long-time advocate for Black history, culture and causes, she has served on the Board of Directors of Black History Ottawa since 2002 and is a volunteer presenter for the United Way of Eastern Ontario's Community Builder Awards program as well as co-chair of Welcome Week in Ottawa.

SPEAKERS:

Chris Nyce, Producer, Filmmaker

Chris Nyce is a film producer and director at Nyce Image Film. He has also worked as a commercial photographer, shooting portraits and advertisements. Chris focuses on capturing the personality and soul of my subjects. He works with my business partners at Nyce Image Film as a producer and director. His goal is to create fine artwork, and his most recent work has been on his short film, which he produced and directed. Now he is working on producing a feature film.

Osasere Atoe, Actor & Model

A little over two years ago Osasere Atoe started in the acting industry. Since then she has been fortunate to work alongside a few of her favorite directors, and star in films, documentaries, and series that highlight black talent in and around Canada.