Tonya Williams, born in the late 50s, experienced firsthand the negative portrayals of Black individuals in film and television. Recognizing the profound influence of stories told through visual mediums, she understood their capacity to shape perceptions not only within communities but also at societal and governmental levels. Over the years, film and television producers had propagated damaging stereotypes of Black, Indigenous, Asian, South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latinx communities, depicting them as savages, illiterate, oversexed, untrustworthy, criminal, lazy, and morally deficient. Tonya Williams recognized that empowering racialized storytellers and executives was essential to rectifying this harm.
In 2000, Tonya Williams launched the groundbreaking Reelworld Film Festival in Toronto, followed by the establishment of the Reelworld Foundation (now Reelworld Screen Institute) a year later. These initiatives aimed squarely at transforming the landscape of the industry. Beyond providing opportunities for filmmakers, they sought to empower racially diverse professionals at all levels of the field, from curators and arts administrators to grant writers and publicists.
Reelworld became a catalyst for change on the governmental front as well. Through engagements with influential bodies such as Telefilm Canada, the Canadian Media Fund, Ontario Creates, and the Canada Council for the Arts, Tonya Williams and her team raised awareness of the specific needs of diverse media artists, advocating for greater inclusion and access.
In 2018, Reelworld was invited to address the Senate committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, emphasizing the significance of showcasing the world the rich tapestry of diverse Canadian artists and their narratives. They highlighted the necessity of broadening the definition of "Canadian content" and collaborated with broadcasters to address hiring practices behind the scenes.
Copyright © 2024 Erskine Global C - All Rights Reserved.