A Micro-Conference & Networking Event presented by Canada Media Fund and Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada
Saturday September 21, 2024 – 4:30pm to 7:00pm MT
On September 21 we empowered IBPOC Content Creators at the 2024 Calgary International Film Festival!
We created a special space to celebrate, and kicked things off with a fun and engaging panel on Being Unapologetically Me, featuring Trevor Solway (Tales from the Rez), Andrew Phung (Run the Burbs) and comedian Adora ‘Statuesse’ Nwofor. Our amazing speakers shared how they take up space, and create the stories they want to tell.
We followed up with a friendly and casual networking event + happy hour for IBPOC Content Creators and Alberta’s film industry – cabaret style!
This event was inspired by our ongoing partnership with CIFF, and the value of intentionally gathering IBPOC Content Creators in industry-specific settings.
This event was offered free of charge to IBPOC Content Creators.
view our event photos!
PANELISTS
Trevor Solway | Writer, Director & Filmmaker
Trevor Solway, Sinakson, is a Blackfoot filmmaker from Siksika Nation. His Breakthrough film Indian Giver screened internationally and can now be found on Amazon Prime Video. In 2021 Trevor directed the award-winning POV documentary Kaatohkitopii (Kit-tay-kit-toe-pee) The Horse He Never Rode screened at ImagineNATIVE Arts + Media Festival and DOXA Festival. In 2022 he directed an episode of the docs-series Stuff The British Stole for CBC/ABC. He has been an episodic director for Amplify Season 2 and 3 for APTN. He is the writer/director/showrunner of Tales From The Rez, a horror comedy anthology series available on APTN Lumi. TFTR won the audience choice award at Calgary International Film Festival.
His most recent feature documentary Siksikakowan: The Blackfoot Man (Prod. by The National Film Board of Canada) is set to be released in 2025.
In 2020 Trevor was the recipient of MRU Horizon Award for early career success and in 2021 he was named Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40. He is the founder and leader of The Napi Collective, a grassroots filmmaking society based out of Siksika Nation.
He attended the Indigenous Digital Filmmaking program at Capilano University in 2012. He then graduated from Mount Royal University with his Bachelor’s of Communications in 2017.
Andrew Phung | Actor, Writer & Executive Producer
Andrew Phung is an award winning actor, comedian, improviser, writer, and host, best known for his work as Kimchee on the hit TV series Kim’s Convenience. He won five consecutive Canadian Screen Awards in the category of “Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series” for his work on the show. His recent credits include Wynonna Earp, Events Transpiring, Lucky Star, and Last One Laughing on Amazon Prime. He is currently the co-creator, star, and executive producer of the comedy series Run the Burbs on the CBC/CW/Hulu. He recently received his second consecutive CSA nomination for “Best Lead Performer Comedy”, and can be heard regularly on CBC Radio’s Because News and the Debaters.
Adora ‘Statuesse’ Nwofor | Comedian & Our Moderator
Adora Nwofor (No-For (1-2-3-5)) aka Statuesse (on stage) is a GIANT. Not only in regards to her stature but the heights she has reached as a creative here in Calgary. Her movements create spaces for artists of all backgrounds to thrive.
Nwofor is a Calgarian with African & Caribbean heritage. An award winning Public Speaker, Comedian, Writer Producer, Advocate, Community Builder, Artistic Director, Fashionista, Dancer and Host of Living a Creative Life Web Series. Adora’s creativity is larger than life, announcing itself loud and proud in all that she does.
She has been on stages, done theatre, film, print and more; around the city, across Canada, Turtle Island and internationally. Hosting, performing and organising at festivals such as Cariwest, Folkfest and Femmewave to name a few. Her comedy is social commentary, authentically blending her activism and artistry.
When she’s not performing comedy, Nwofor is also a model, MUA, stylist; twice featured (2017/2021) in Avenue Magazines’ Calgary’s best-dressed. An unconventional style-setter, they are especially talented at pushing people’s preconceived ideas on what is fashionable.
Adora is president of BLMYYC (Black Lives Matter YYC) and founder of Bluuphoria: providing opportunities for Black Creatives and entrepreneurs, while aiming to break barriers and shift perspectives within the Canadian art and entertainment Industry.
With over 2 decades of experience in entertainment in front and behind the camera, Adora is a multidisciplinary artist who brings a bold, uninhibited and innovative perspective to any project or event.
PRODUCED WITH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF
