Toronto’s TIFF Black Excellence Brunch ignites legacy, leadership, and creativity

The third annual TIFF Black Excellence Brunch lit up RBC House during the Toronto International Film Festival’s 50^th anniversary. The event (presented by RBC and supported by the Jamaican Tourism Board) celebrated legacy, leadership, and brilliance in Black cinema and culture.

The brunch brought together actors, filmmakers, producers, executives, and journalists from around the world. Guests filled the venue with energy, anticipation, and a shared commitment to elevate Black storytelling.

Since its launch, the Black Excellence Brunch has grown into one of TIFF’s most anticipated traditions. The 2024 edition spotlighted industry icons Spike Lee, Clement Virgo, and Tony Lee Williams under the theme The Rise of the Multi-Hyphenate. That conversation explored how actors are increasingly expanding into writing, directing, and producing, reshaping the stories that reach global audiences.

This year, excitement was even higher as TIFF celebrated its 50th anniversary. The brunch reaffirmed its role as a catalyst for: amplifying Black voices, fostering collaboration, and championing the next generation of storytellers.

Founders of The Black Academy, Shamier Anderson and Stephan James, opened the event by praising RBC’s investment in Canadian talent and film production. Donovan White, Director of the Jamaican Tourism Board, emphasized Jamaica’s expanding film-friendly infrastructure.

TIFF’s VP of People & Culture, Marsha John-Greenwood, gave an emotional address about TIFF’s decades-long work to amplify Black stories. She later joined Rudy Blair for a candid interview on the brunch’s cultural impact.

The program also featured a spoken-word performance by Nadine Williams, whose words captured the essence of Black excellence in all its forms.

Later, journalist Marci Ien sat down with acclaimed filmmaker Clement Virgo. Reflecting on his career, Virgo credited Norman Jewison as a guiding influence and spoke of each film as a deeply personal journey, shaped by time, energy, and unwavering commitment.

Four honourees received recognition as “influential forces in the industry,” each leaving a lasting mark on Black cinema:

• Planet Africa – Founded by Cameron Bailey in 1995, this groundbreaking TIFF program showcased films from the African diaspora and continues to shape global perceptions of Black cinema.
• Zahara Bentham – A rising star with roles in Village Keepers (CSA nomination), Self-Made, Star Trek: Discovery, Rookie Blue, and Private Eyes. Her performances embody the future of Black storytelling.
• Karen Chapman – An acclaimed filmmaker whose work explores identity, belonging, and justice, amplifying underrepresented voices with powerful vision.
• The Black Screen Office (BSO) – A national advocate for equitable representation, whose research and leadership have influenced major policy changes across Canada’s screen industries.

The brunch’s atmosphere was electric. The presence of luminaries such as: Kardinal Offishall, Cameron Bailey, Andrew Bushell, Hubert Davis, Zahara Bentham, Karen Chapman, and Maxine Bailey turned RBC House into a vibrant hub of connection and celebration.

By the end, one message resonated clearly: Black creatives are shaping its future. The event provided both recognition of established leaders and inspiration for emerging voices, weaving together resilience, creativity, and unity.

As President Obama once said, “Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness is a way to honor those we have lost. A way to reclaim our spirit of unity.” The TIFF Black Excellence Brunch embodied that spirit reminding us that excellence thrives when unity and partnership take center stage.