Toronto, ON—April 1, 2025—Women in Film & Television – Toronto (WIFT+ Toronto) is proud to announce the winners of the 16th Annual Showcase Awards, which took place on May 14, 2025, at Cineplex Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto. The event celebrated eight exceptional projects submitted by members of the organization, highlighting their talent and boundary-pushing storytelling.
ZhiMin Hu won the Best Directing Award for The Teacup with $3,000 from the Foundation for WIFT+ Toronto, a meeting with a representative from the Ontario chapter of the Directors Guild of Canada, a membership for the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT), and a TIFF Industry Membership.
Paola Contreras received the Best Writing Award for DUCK which included $3,000 from the Foundation for WIFT+ Toronto, a consultation with script reader and story editor Jamie Gaetz, Final Draft 12 writing software, and a TIFF Industry Membership.
Priscilla Galvez took home the Best of Showcase Award for A Fermenting Woman and received $3,000 from the Foundation for WIFT+ Toronto, a meeting with Andrew Frank, Vice President, Sales and Acquisitions at Mongrel Media, $2,500 worth of post production services from Company 3, and a TIFF industry membership.
Finally, the Audience Choice Award, also went to Priscilla Galvez. This included $3,000 from the Foundation for WIFT+ Toronto, $2,500 of equipment rental services at Grande Camera, a membership for the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT), and a TIFF Industry Membership.
The Best in Showcase, Best Directing, and Best Writing awards are determined by a volunteer jury composed of WIFT+ Toronto members. This year’s jury members were Sofi Asali, Nicole Chrysostom-Murray, Nadia Dalimonte, Josie Fitzgerald, Shagun Kanwar, Katerina Kova, Victoria Kucher, Nellie Lindner, Denise Peda, Farahnaz Samii, and Tamara Shannon.
“We are incredibly proud to support such talented creators and to celebrate their remarkable work. The WIFT+ Toronto Showcase continues to embody the creativity and innovation that propels our community forward, and this year’s lineup is no exception. To our sponsors, donors, partners, jury, guests, and especially this year’s filmmakers, thank you for making this evening truly memorable.” — Karen Bruce, Executive Director, WIFT+ Toronto
Since its inception in 2010, the WIFT+ Toronto Showcase has served as a cornerstone event for the organization, presenting over 110 projects to date. It has spotlighted the work of numerous acclaimed and award-winning filmmakers, including Karen Chapman (Village Keeper), Jordan Canning (The Lake), Danishka Esterhazy (Astrid & Lilly Save the World), Jasmin Mozaffari (Firecrackers), and Lisa Rideout (Sex with Sue), among many others. Over the past seven years, thanks to support from the Foundation for WIFT+ Toronto, the Showcase has distributed more than $80,000 in cash prizes to its winners.
The 2025 WIFT+ Toronto Showcase is supported by the following organizations: Presenting Sponsor, CINEPLEX; Supporting Sponsor, Hollywood Suite; Event Partner, Company 3; and Event Supporters, CBC, the Foundation for WIFT+ Toronto, Grande Camera, Jamie Gaetz, Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT), Mongrel Media, and Suzanne K. Taylor.
ABOUT WIFT+ TORONTO
Women in Film and Television – Toronto (WIFT+ Toronto) is a member-based, not-for-profit organization made up of passionate individuals who are dedicated to the education, engagement, and empowerment of all individuals at every stage of their careers in the screen-based media industry. It is WIFT+ Toronto’s mission to build and advance the careers of their members by providing professional development, peer support, and mentorship in collaboration with industry partners.
For more information, please contact:
Sora Chung
Communications & Social Media Coordinator
WIFT+ Toronto
