Canada’s Walk of Fame Announces Participants of the 2024 Future Storytellers Program, presented by NBCUniversal and Seeing Red Media

July 9, 2024 — Toronto, ON — With a true north strong nod to the boundless power of storytelling, Canada’s Walk of Fame announces the continued evolution and expansion of the transformative Canada’s Walk of Fame Future Storytellers program, presented by founding partner NBCUniversal and Seeing Red Media. This initiative is designed to propel the voices of Canada’s next generation of filmmakers from underrepresented communities, offering an unrivalled stage to enrich their learning experience and mentorship from some of Canada’s most esteemed cultural icons. The vignettes are showcased in Cineplex pre-show entertainment, at Canada’s Walk of Fame’s annual gala event and on canadaswalkoffame.com.

Production on the 2024 Canada’s Walk of Fame Future Storytellers vignettes begins on July 10 through July 16 in Toronto and features five new emerging Canadian filmmakers from Humber and Sheridan Colleges telling the stories of Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductees and Honourees. Pairings include world champion figure skater Kurt Browning (2001 Inductee) with Nick Tablac (Humber College graduate); iconic pop rock singer-songwriter Andy Kim (2018 Inductee) and Arshia Prajapati (Sheridan College graduate); International Indigenous Rights and Water Activist and 2023 Canada’s Walk of Fame Community Hero, presented by MLSE, Autumn Peltier with Anne Hoang (Humber College graduate); co-creator of the iconic Canadian youth culture phenomenon, Degrassi (2023 Inductee), Linda Schuyler with Yagnam (Humber College); and lead vocalist/guitarist of Toronto-based music collective, The Parachute Club (2023 Inductee), Lorraine Segato and Poppi Fella Pellegrino (Sheridan College graduate).

This year’s Future Storytellers represent a beautifully diverse tapestry of voices from underrepresented communities.

• Nick Tablac is a 21-year-old queer emerging filmmaker from Manila, Philippines. His interest in filmmaking blossomed after immigrating to Canada with his family and observing a film set at work in front of his Toronto home. Since then, he has acquired a Bachelor’s in Film and Media Production at Humber.
• Arshia Prajapati is a 21-year-old Indian-born director and cinematographer who immigrated to Canada in 2019. Through filmmaking, she finds her voice as a woman of colour and as a filmmaker.
• Anne Hoang’s Canadian dream began in 2019 when her family moved to P.E.I. from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Anne hopes her work will inspire other Asian creatives to showcase their unique stories and talents in the Canadian media.
• Yagnam moved to Canada from India in 2022. He grew up learning about the world through his collection of Western films. To prepare for his session, Yagnam watched all seasons of Degrassi.
• Poppi Fella Pellegrino is from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. She is excited to work with Lorraine to highlight her contribution to Canadian queer culture as well as her activism and politically driven music style.

2024 Future Storytellers

(L-R: Poppi Fella Pellegrino, Nick Tablac, Anne Hoang, Yagnam, Arshia Prajapati)

Since its inception in 2022 with the support of founding partner NBCUniversal, the Canada’s Walk of Fame Future Storytellers program has championed the unique visions and potential of eight student filmmakers, each selected for their capability to infuse new life into the Canadian cinematic narrative. These filmmakers are paired with Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductees and Honourees, transforming their impactful lives into compelling 2.5-minute vignettes. Past profiles include Director X (2022 Inductee), Wendy Crewson (2015 Inductee), Jully Black (2021 Inductee), Graham Greene (2021 Inductee), Donovan Bailey (2017 Inductee), Jeanne Beker (2016 Inductee), Veronica Tennant (2001 Inductee), and Kardinal Offishall (2023 Allan Slaight Music Impact Honouree).

CLICK HERE TO WATCH SHORT FILMS FROM PAST PARTICIPANTS

“NBCUniversal is the founding force in launching this intentional and inclusive program with Canada’s Walk of Fame, reflecting the expansive mosaic of Canadian culture,” said Jeffery Latimer, CEO, Canada’s Walk of Fame. “This year, we are excited and grateful to have Seeing Red Media join us to not only foster a new generation of filmmakers; but to also curate a new chapter of cinematic dialogue that speaks to and celebrates our rich diversity.”

“Seeing Red is honored to lend its voice to the incredible work that NBCUniversal and Canada’s Walk of Fame have accomplished through the Future Storytellers program. It is our youth who will write the future, and by ensuring that our youth have access to the tools and opportunities they need to succeed, together will guarantee a bright future for filmmaking in Canada. A future that reflects the vibrant and unique tapestry of this land we call home,” said Bryan Porter, Founder & Shakohen:te’s, Seeing Red Media Inc.

This initiative thrives through strategic partnerships with NBCUniversal, Seeing Red Media, Cineplex, and educational pillars such as Humber and Sheridan Colleges. These collaborations enhance Canada’s Walk of Fame’s mission, providing emerging filmmakers with mentorship from cinematic and cultural pioneers, and showcasing their final works in high-profile venues, including the coveted annual Canada’s Walk of Fame celebration and on screens across the country through Cineplex theatres.

In the digital sphere, the Canada’s Walk of Fame Future Storytellers program has made significant strides, capturing nearly a quarter million impressions across digital platforms, and this number is growing.

“I am deeply grateful to be part of Canada’s Walk of Fame’s Future Storytellers Program. This unique experience provided hands-on knowledge of production logistics and collaboration with industry professionals. As the Director, I was able to present my ideas and received unwavering support. Engaging with the Cinematographer and interviewing the 2022 Inductee Director X were invaluable experiences, offering insights beyond what I could learn in school.” – Brandon Lewis, Humber College graduate.

“This project was an amazing opportunity to highlight underrepresented talent, who don’t necessarily get their voices heard in the industry. Canada is so diverse, but unfortunately, we still have a lot of work to do before the industry represents all voices both behind and in front of the camera. I’m very thankful that I was chosen for this project and got to work with talented individuals throughout the entirety of the production, including 2021 Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductee Graham Greene. This was an experience I will never forget.” – Violet Elliot, Sheridan College graduate.

About Canada’s Walk of Fame

Canada’s Walk of Fame is an award-winning national not-for-profit charitable organization that inspires Canadians by proudly shining a light on the journeys of Canada’s most extraordinary achievers. Canada’s Walk of Fame recognizes the significant impact of Canadian accomplishments and provides the foremost national platform to celebrate achievement in the fields of Arts & Entertainment, Sports & Athletics, Entrepreneurship & Philanthropy, Humanitarianism, and Science, Technology & Innovation. Current programs include the RBC Emerging Musician Program, NBCUniversal and Seeing Red Media Future Storytellers program, the Community Hero and National Hero Programs, the Hometown Stars initiative, including charitable donations to our Inductees’ causes, and the nationally televised broadcast designated by the CRTC as a program of national interest. Canada’s Walk of Fame has over 230 inductions to date, with stars having a permanent place of tribute on the streets of Toronto’s Entertainment District. For a complete list of Inductees and Honourees along with more information on Canada’s Walk of Fame, visit: www.canadaswalkoffame.com

Canada’s Walk of Fame was established in 1998 by founders Bill Ballard, Dusty Cohl and Peter Soumalias, with Dianne Schwalm and in partnership with Gary Slaight.

Canada’s Walk of Fame is a registered charity. Charitable Registration Number 889896924RR0001.

Canada’s Walk of Fame Socials

Instagram: @CWOFame || Twitter: @CWOFame || Youtube: @canadaswalkoffame || Facebook: @CWOFame

Hashtags: #CanadaThrives #FutureStorytellers

About NBCUniversal

NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks, and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is a division of Comcast Corporation.

About Seeing Red Media

Seeing Red is an Indigenous-owned media company based on Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. We exist to amplify the voices and vision of established and emerging Indigenous storytellers through film, content, and additional forms of media. Seeing Red aims to meet this goal by producing award-winning films and documentaries, creation of original content that reflects cultural teachings and way of life, uplifting Indigenous voices, stories and news; creating a network of authentic collaborators and the first Indigenous speakers bureau. To learn more, visit seeingred6nations.com.

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For more information: Adrienne Kakoullis, Rise PR |416-450-6637 | akakoullis@risepr.ca

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