The 8th annual Sandi Ross Awards honoured Anthony Q. Farrell (individual winner) and Reelworld Film Festival and Screen Institute (organization winner) at an event during TIFF on Monday, September 9, 2024.
Hosted by ACTRA Toronto D&I committee Co-chair Krystle Ferdinand and Co-host Roy Urbanozo, we celebrated the incredible work of these winners in promoting diversity and inclusion in the film and television industry.
Front row: Sandi Ross Award recipient Anthony Q. Farrell, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, Sandi Ross award recipient Tonya Williams accepting on behalf of Reelworld Film Festival and Screen Institute, Safia Abdigir (Reelworld), ACTRA Toronto Diversity & Inclusion Committee co-chairs Krystle Ferdinand and Roy Urbanozo, Natalie Nadeen (Reelworld)
“Anthony Q. Farrell’s commitment to mentoring and uplifting the next generation of performers and filmmakers is truly inspiring to watch,” says ACTRA Toronto Diversity & Inclusion Committee co-chair Krystle Ferdinand. “He has empowered upcoming BIPOC writers and showrunners to tell stories that are diverse and authentic, and shown decision-makers in the industry the importance of inclusion, both in front of and behind the camera. By doing this difficult work, Anthony has created lasting change within the industry and enriched our society with stories that are resonant, universal and representative of our diverse cultural landscape.”
“Sandi Ross was a boss, plain and simple,” says Farrell. “It’s an incredible honour to be given an award with her name on it. I’ll continue to push for diversity in every corner of our industry. Not just because diversity is important, but because it leads to better and more interesting content. Thank you to the ACTRA Toronto Diversity & Inclusion Committee for your leadership and vision.”
“Reelworld Film Festival and Screen Institute has been instrumental in fostering diversity both on and off screen, paving the way for a more inclusive industry. Their contributions embody the spirit of Sandi Ross, and we are proud to celebrate their achievements,” says ACTRA Toronto Diversity & Inclusion Committee co-chair Roy Urbanozo.
“Reelworld is proud to be one of the first organizations to focus on the issue of racial disparity and inequity in our industry, back in 2000, and to see the amazing transformation of the industry over the last 24 years,” says Tonya Williams. “At that time the word ‘race’ was taboo and no one wanted to address or even acknowledge the systemic problems in our industry. We have a long way to go but today we’re happy to celebrate how far we’ve come.”
Watch the recap video of event highlights here, including inspiring speeches from special guests Mayor of Toronto Olivia Chow, Deputy Mayor of Toronto Ausma Malik, MPP for Toronto-St Paul’s Dr. Jill Andrew and this year’s recipients Anthony Q. Farrell and Tonya Williams for Reelworld Screen Institute:
