Women's Committee (TAW*C)

Who we are

The Toronto ACTRA Women’s Committee (TAW*C) is committed to advancing gender equity through the creation of programs, partnerships and initiatives that foster, support and recognize women* of all diversities in key creative and leadership roles in the Canadian recorded media industry.

* We recognize the terms “Woman” and “Women” (Female/Male/Man/Men) are gender constructs and seek to create a safer space for all gender members who are interested in furthering the mandate of the committee. We are aware of the constantly evolving nature of language and the need to be conscious of language that may be micro aggressive, racist, sexist and exclusionary, and seek to self-educate towards best practices. We also recognize that neither equity nor parity is yet achieved in this society or the world at large and seek to further that vision.

**Friday, March 8, 2024 was International Women’s* Day**

READ THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY MESSAGE FROM TAW*C

Inspirational words from some of our extraordinary sisters*.

“We didn’t come this far to only come this far.”

– Unknown

“I am woman phenomenally. Phenomenal woman that’s me.”

– Maya Angelou

“You can’t be what you can’t see.”

– Eleanor Roosevelt

“We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace,

And the norms and notions

of what just is

isn’t always just-ice ….

For there is always light,

if only we’re brave enough to see it.

If only we’re brave enough to be it.”

– Amanda Gorman, THE HILL WE CLIMB

Co-Chairs

Heather Allin is an actor, filmmaker, artist and advocate. She is the Producer and Executive Producer for the short narrative advocacy film, Reel Women Seen. Allin is a member of both ACTRA Toronto and National councils and a past president of ACTRA Toronto. Allin served as a producer for the TAW*C video, Get Women Working, and the TAW*C Toolkit video series.

Tonjha Richardson is an actor, writer, activist and dance mom. Tonjha is an inspiring and passionate Speaker and Advocate of Mental Health and Sober Living. Living life to the fullest one day at a time.

Initiatives

The **Nell Shipman Award** honours a female producer, director, writer, showrunner, mentor or program administrator who has advanced gender equity in the Canadian film and television industry through their crew hiring practices and/or on-screen representations of women.

Developed by the Flexible Childcare subcommittee of the TAWC, the **Flexible Child Care** program provides ACTRA Toronto parents with flexible childcare services at the Summerhill Club at a discounted rate.

Presented by the TAWC in association with Women in View, this video provides a series of actionable steps you can take to foster representation and gender equality in the Canadian screen industry.

TAW*C introduced a series of TAW*C-kies, or short interviews, that celebrate inspiring women who have made/are making an impact on our industry. Watch the entire playlist by clicking the videos above.

Get Women Working: This public service video takes the entertainment industry to task for failing to represent women as they truly are and calls on women to tell their own screen-based stories.

Resources

The **TAW*C Toolkit Incubator** was designed to give women the tools and opportunities to make films.

TAW*C Toolkits

Toolkit 4.0 Marketing/Packaging Your Film for Funding: This panel discussion asks guests Katherine Barrell and Scott Cavalherio how to market and package your film project in a way that optimizes your funding raising efforts.

Toolkit 5.0 Producing Your Film: Producers Mariah Owen and Kristina Esposito walk us through the many steps of producing a short film, including exploring producing resources, ACTRA production agreements, the importance of planning and comprehensive budgeting, location scouting, hiring key crew and equipment, editing and music rights and film festival submissions.

Connect with us

Email Us
Interested in joining or have a question? Please email us at: tawc@actratoronto.com.

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