Why TIFF’s Black Excellence Brunch has Become the Hot Ticket of the Festival!
The Room Where It Happens: Inside the TIFF Black Excellence Brunch
The Toronto International Film Festival is a whirlwind of premieres, red carpets, and industry chatter. But if you wanted to find the true heart and soul of the festival this year, you had to be at RBC House on Monday morning. As one of the publicists who had the privilege of helping coordinate the 3rd Annual TIFF Black Excellence Brunch, I can tell you firsthand: the magic in that room was undeniable. Forget the velvet ropes and flashing cameras for a moment; this has become the new hot ticket of the festival, an unmissable gathering where community, creativity, and Black brilliance converge.
Presented by RBC and supported by the Jamaica Tourist Board, this invite-only event was more than just a catered meal to fuel festival-goers; it was a testament to where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going. From the moment guests arrived, the air was electric with a sense of connection and celebration. This wasn’t just about networking—it was about kinship. It was a space designed to honour achievements, build community, and inspire the next generation of storytellers. It was, in a word, a movement.
This year, coinciding with TIFF’s landmark 50th Edition, the focus was on celebrating legacy, leadership, and our cinematic future through four incredible Spotlight Honourees:
Planet Africa: We celebrated the 30th anniversary of this groundbreaking TIFF program, originally founded by Cameron Bailey. It was a powerful moment to have Cameron, maxine bailey, Julie Crooks, and other pioneers in the room, reminding us all of the vital space they carved out for films from the African diaspora - stories that continue to shape the global perception of Black cinema.
The Black Screen Office (BSO): We shone a light on the crucial advocacy work of the BSO. With Executive Director Joan Jenkinson accepting the honour, we celebrated an organization that has been instrumental in pushing for equitable representation and authentic storytelling, paving the way for real policy change in Canada’s screen industries.
Karen Chapman and Zahara Bentham: The room was filled with admiration for these two dynamic forces. Director Karen Chapman, whose visionary work explores identity and amplifies underrepresented voices, and multi-hyphenate storyteller Zahara Bentham, a rising star whose performances reflect the nuanced realities of Black life, both represent the incredible present and brilliant future of our industry. Their joint work on Village Keepers, which earned them both CSA nominations, is a perfect example of their creative excellence.
The pinnacle of the morning was the special Fireside Chat with the legendary Clement Virgo interviewed by former journalist Marci Ien. Fresh off his Canadian Screen Award wins for Best Director and Best Picture for Brother, and with his new feature Steal Away making its world premiere at the festival, listening to him speak was a masterclass in itself. He is a titan of the industry, and having him share his journey in such an intimate setting with a room full of fellow artists, changemakers, and allies was truly inspiring.
As the brunch wrapped up, I looked around the room at the incredible gathering of talent—from emerging creators to industry leaders and cultural visionaries—and I knew this was more than just a successful event. Big ups must go to Marsha John-Greenwood, TIFF’s VP of People and Culture and the champion behind this event for the last three years. The TIFF Black Excellence Brunch is an essential pillar of the festival, a vibrant epicentre for Black creativity. It’s where deals are sparked, collaborations are born, and our stories are celebrated with the honour they have always deserved.
If you weren't there, you definitely felt the buzz on social media. Mark my words, this is the one invitation everyone will be hoping for next year.
#BlackExcellenceBrunch #TIFF2025 #TIFF50
Photo credit: Edward Chiazor (eddy_chi) for efosamedia
