Black History Month Spotlight | Revisiting the Amazing Achievements of our TFS Community
In This Article
Each February, Canadians come together to celebrate Black History Month – a time to recognize the profound contributions, achievements, resilience, and victories of Black communities across the country.
At Toronto Film School, celebrating the exceptional accomplishments of our Black students and alumni is an ongoing commitment reflected in the individual stories featured on our TFS News Page throughout the year.
This year’s theme, Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations – From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries, inspires us to revisit and amplify these remarkable success stories, recognizing both the foundations laid by trailblazers and the innovations of those carrying the torch forward.
Film Production Grad Momo Spaine Made Directorial Debut with ‘After 30’ on Prime Video
Class of 2019 grad Momo Spaine marked the global release of her directorial debut – After 30 – on Prime Video in May.
Produced by Nemsia Studios, After 30 tells the story of four dynamic women (played by Damilola Adegbite, Beverly Naya, Meg Otanwa and Anee Icha) living in Lagos and navigating the realities of life in their thirties, career changes, relationships, healing, and redefining success.
The film marks the long-awaited sequel to the beloved series Before 30, which Spaine produced in 2015.
“I couldn’t be more excited,” Spaine said of the film’s release on Prime. “After 30 holds a special place in my heart. It is not merely a film, but a reflection of my personal and professional journey as both a filmmaker and a woman.”
Read more about Spaine and her film HERE.
Almothana Mohamedahmed & Alia Ettienne Named 2025 Recipients of TFS’s BMO BIPOC Creative Achievement Award
Film Production student Almothana Mohamedahmed and Acting for Film, TV & the Theatre student Alia Ettienne were among the 2025 recipients of the BMO BIPOC Creative Achievement Award.
Presented in partnership with BMO, the quarterly bursary – which recognizes full-time BIPOC students with $1,250 awards towards their tuition – is aimed at contributing to the diversity of the workforce in Canada’s creative industry by helping students who identify as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Colour complete their programs.
For Mohamedahmed, an aspiring director, screenwriter and father from Sudan, storytelling is always something he thought of as the “best way to engage people, solve issues, and give a voice to the silenced.”
For him, receiving the bursary will allow him to better develop his directing and screenwriting skills, enabling him to use his abilities to create “significant” stories depicting historical events and experiences.
“This award is not just financial support, it is also an opportunity for me to take a step closer to my goals and contribute to the film industry in a meaningful way.”
Read more about Mohamedahmed story HERE!
Ettienne, meanwhile, called her selection as a recipient of the bursary a “massive deal” to her – and one of the main reasons she’ll be able to continue pursuing her acting diploma while also juggling parenthood.
“When I began attending the Toronto Film School my son was 18 months old, and the separation anxiety was horrid. I would always tell myself, ‘You drop your kid off at daycare four days a week just to come to these classes. Don’t miss out on that time with your son just to be mediocre,’” she recalled.
“Some would say I was putting too much pressure on myself. To me, it’s a reminder that he always comes first. Winning this award solidifies the idea that I can do both. Be a mom and a student. Successfully.”
Learn more about Ettienne HERE!
TFS Hosts Inaugural Roundtable on Women in Film & TV Featuring The Handmaid’s Tale’s Amanda Brugel
In recognition of International Women’s Day, Toronto Film School hosted its first-ever Women in Film and TV roundtable in May – marking a significant milestone in the school’s ongoing commitment to empowering women in the screen industries.
The exclusive roundtable featured Canadian Screen Award-winning actor, producer and writer, Amanda Brugel – best known for her roles in The Handmaid’s Tale, Dark Matter, and Kim’s Convenience.
Moderated by TFS’s Writing for Film & Television Program Director Michelle Daly, the roundtable also included notable TFS alumni including Acting for Film, TV & the Theatre grads Robyn Alomar and Garima Sood, Film Production alumnus Christina Borgs and Maxine Clement, a Writing for Film & Television grad.
The 90-minute discussion the discussion delved into topics including women’s representation in the entertainment industry, navigating careers in film and television, and the unique experiences of women in the business.
Learn more about the roundtable HERE!
